NFL Teams Consider Jake Long’s Knee “Shot”

It’s never easy to return from an ACL injury in the hyper-competitive NFL. It’s an even greater task after suffering two injuries to the same leg in back-to-back years, followed by turning 31 and coming off a season with virtually zero playing time. That’s the challenge facing former number one overall pick Jake Long, who’s claims that he is again healthy have been met with scepticism by general managers across the league.

“He’s healthy by his standards,” said ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler. Fowler claimed he “asked around the league” and spoke to an unnamed source who told him “[Long’s] leg is just shot, or at least, that’s the perception right now.”

The news comes in stark contrast to Long’s proclamation on Monday that he was “finally healthy” and “ready for the opportunity when it comes along.” Long spent time in Miami and St. Louis, but injuries followed the proverbial “can’t-miss” prospect from one city to the next, ultimately ending in a cameo appearance for the Falcons in 2015.

It’s a sobering thought to consider just how resistant NFL teams are to give a man in Long’s position a chance this close to the start of training camp. This time of year, most 90-man rosters are pretty much set and everyone is entering the new season at practically full strength. It’s understandable that most GMs might not be keen to add to the depth chart – or the checkbook – until their hand is forced by factors beyond their control.

“Maybe he gets a camp tryout somewhere and makes a team,” Fowler added nonchalantly, “but even in Atlanta last year: four games, no starts, multiple knee injuries. If he can get in and show that he can pass physicals and can move on that knee, he could be a good depth signing, which is crazy to think about [for] a number one overall pick.”