SANTA CLARA – Fourth round pick Joe Looney spoke to reporters after Jason Slowey this afternoon. Looney suffered a Lisfranc fracture at the Senior Bowl in January which required surgery. He’s still rehabbing, and today he discussed how that process is going, what he’s doing in the meantime and what position on the offensive line he will play once he returns. Here’s a transcript.
Q: What are you doing these days?
LOONEY: I’m just out here working. When they give me the go, I’m going to be ready to practice.
Q: Do you have any idea what that timeline looks like?
LOONEY: I’m not really looking at the timeline. I’m just taking it day-by-day, doing what they tell me to do.
Q: With the severity of that injury, when it happened did you know this could severely impact your rookie season?
LOONEY: I didn’t really know much about the injury when it first happened, but I wasn’t really thinking about that. My agent told me some wise words – control what I can control, and that’s hit rehab every day as hard as I can and that’s what I’ve been doing.
Q: Did you require surgery?
LOONEY: Yes I did.
Q: What can you do now that will give you the best chance to hit the ground running when you’re fully cleared to return?
LOONEY: Getting in my playbook, making sure I’m on top of that mentally. Just every day showing up ready to do extra work.
Q: Are you studying both guard spots?
LOONEY: Yes.
Q: Do you have an idea which spot and which team you’ll be practicing with?
LOONEY: I don’t know which team but I think I’ll be playing right guard.
Q: Are you able to run now?
LOONEY: Yeah, I’m running around. I’m running every day.
Q: Do you have confidence right now in your grasp of the playbook and your protections and everything you need to know?
LOONEY: Yeah, I think (offensive line) Coach (Mike) Solari and (offensive line) Coach (Tim) Drevno do a great job sitting down with us and making sure we understand every call we have to make.
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This is the guy I’d like to see in action. He’s nasty. He’s mean. But:
The post surgical recovery is dictated by the patients injury and the surgeons preference. For a major Lisfranc injury a typical recovery protocol would include:
■6- to 8-week period of nonweightbearing that is required to allow adequate healing.
■After 6-8 weeks the patients are mobilized weightbearing as tolerated in a walking boot.
■At approximately the 10- to 14week mark, they are transition to a stiff-sole shoe.
A displaced injury takes a number of months to recover. Perhaps, 80% of the recovery occurs in the first 6 months, but it is often a year or more before our patient has reached their point of maximal improvement following a significant Lisfranc injury.
Some patients with major Lisfranc injuries, including significant damage to the articular cartilage of the joints, will benefit from a primary fusion of these joints. In addition, if the joint collapses at a later point, the salvaged procedure would also be a Lisfranc fusion, also known as a midfoot fusion.
Which means probably practice squad.
Stash the youngster on IR for a year and let him fully heal. There’s already 18 guys fighting for 9-10 spots; why rush him back and risk re-injury?
Yeah. Remember Kevin Fagan? Drafted him injured and waited a year. Worth the wait. He turned into one tough hombre and held down DRE for a few years and played well.
How frequent are reinjuries?
The most important thing in treating this injury is for it to be diagnosed early so as not to do more damage. This is key to a full recovery. Most common lingering problems are arthritis and it would not be available for surgery until one year from his first. I do not believe it is prone to occur more often than any other injury. I do know it is a fairly rare injury.
Slightly off-topic here but in line with the “getting better everyday” phrase that Harbaugh has drilled into everyone’s head…
I’m trying to remember a 49er team that seemed more “bought in” to the coach than this one. Even when Walsh was here I don’t remember this kind of feeling; that everyone on the team is taking on the personality of the coach. The players are starting to sound more like Harbaugh than Harbaugh.
Am I imagining things?
msc
Your “bought in” phrase is synonymous with my “magic aura” phrase.
And I don’t recall it before. BW was brilliant, but a little distant. JH is closer (he is just HC, not a GM ) to his players. As seen in his comments about AS/MC. Never heard BW say those type things while being the coach, or it has been too long and I just don’t remember.
Good point about the White Haired Genius.
Yes
I agree with you Clemons. Look at the Cam Johnson interview; here’s a 7th round draft choice just sticking to his pre-programed response and blowing off questions like he’s Ray Lewis or something.
That the veterans bought in from day #1 which only lends more authority and legitimacy and infectious enthusiasm to the group. Then he stresses winning games in the weight room, film room and practice field; and experienced men know that’s how to do it. Young guys look around at Justin and Frank and Joe Staley working and they buy in. Really impressive to watch.
Boone
Balke translates team depth into taking chances on players who other teams have to pass on. Looney and Moss have great risk/reward potential. Reminds me of how we got Frank Gore. Boone’s forced maturity will stand him in good stead in the conversion to RG. Cam Johnson also fits the mold of passed over value. Can’t wait to see what they do with all those picks next year. Move up from last pick in 1st round.
Just looked up what a “Lisfranc Fracture” is….
My Lord!
That consists of a several tiny bones on the top of your foot. No wonder people are talking about just shelving Looney for the year so the bones properly heal instead of risking the integrity & re-fracture of those bones.