Deion Branch will "try to play" Sunday.

by BrianL on Sep 3, 2008 2:01 PM PDT

Branch seemed to suggest he was close to returning on an interview with KJR AM yesterday, and this appears to be another report to back up that claim.

I'm not exactly sure how wise this is. If Branch's recovery has really progressed this well, great. However, I still don't know if rushing him into a Week 1 game against Buffalo is a smart football decision. I would absolutely hate to see that surgically repaired knee suffer more damage.

Full recovery from reconstructive knee surgery sometimes takes 12 months or more but Holmgren said Branch has been progressing well in his rehabilitation.

We'll see how this plays out. For now, I'll be surprised if he takes the field at all on Sunday.

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I figured this was the case

Since they didn’t PUP him. But if he does play it will be limited and we can’t expect more than him just catching the ball and going down.

Coach Owens = No Fun Zone

by Scruffy Lefty on Sep 3, 2008 2:07 PM PDT reply actions

Honestly I'd feel more comfortable holding him out until week two or three.

I’d feel a little safer knowing he’s got a few more full-squad workouts under his belt.

by BrianL on Sep 3, 2008 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions

I would of liked to see him PUP

and held him out the first 6 weeks. But if Shawne Merriman is playing with 2 torn tendons then Branch can play with a bum knee.

Coach Owens = No Fun Zone

by Scruffy Lefty on Sep 3, 2008 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Perfect example btw

Coach Owens = No Fun Zone

by Scruffy Lefty on Sep 3, 2008 2:07 PM PDT reply actions

Eep.

I’m really not comfortable with this. I still remember the 1997 season in which Jerry Rice tore his ACL and MCL in week 1 and returned in week 15. Granted, the fractured patella he suffered in that game had nothing to do with his previous knee surgeries, I’m still not comfortable with players trying to come back early.

I live in georegia but i dont see rusia no where not even sound but they says theres tanks should i be worrie-Yahoo Answers

by Phil Hatzenbuehler on Sep 3, 2008 2:16 PM PDT reply actions

Theres no point in putting him in

Buffalo, San Fran, St.Louis and then a Bye. Four good reasons to hold Branch back till week 5. I really don’t understand why he’d be risked, unless he’s actually some form of genetic mutant with inhuman recovery speed?

by ciarannh on Sep 3, 2008 2:19 PM PDT reply actions

by iheartjavelinas on Sep 3, 2008 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions

noooooo

If he can contribute meaningfully as a decoy then great, but otherwise I’d like to see this man safely on the sideline.

by Will Kier on Sep 3, 2008 3:07 PM PDT reply actions

oh yeah:

According to TNT blog, Locklear will not play Sunday, but “he would play if it were the Super Bowl”.

by Will Kier on Sep 3, 2008 3:11 PM PDT reply actions

This is the part I'm worried about...

Looking at the Bills’ depth chart, Chris Kelsay is the starting LDE. He had 2.5 sacks last year (in 14 games) and had a career high of 5.5 in ‘06. I don’t really know anything about him, does anyone else?

by Strang on Sep 3, 2008 3:23 PM PDT up reply actions

John says Willis is decent in pass protection, so Kelsay shouldn't be too much of a

by redwolf75 on Sep 3, 2008 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions

hey, he's on the roster

bring him along for the show, just to make the Bills think a little. Can’t hurt.

by djafrot on Sep 3, 2008 3:13 PM PDT reply actions

I would've waited until after the bye week to get Engram and Branch in

A knee injury is very serious and I really don’t think it would be a good idea, but if he is progressing well then I’m happy.

Give me the home, where Buffalo roams, and watch Jones get a hundred yard game.

by SSreporters on Sep 3, 2008 3:46 PM PDT reply actions

I think it's more that Branch wants to play

I listened to Holmgrens press conference this morning and it sound like Branch is close, but I don’t expect to see him play this sunday.

Holmgren described where Branch is in his rehabilitation as the point where he needs to get comfortable making cuts and quick moves when he gets engaged by a DB. He said it’s usually the hardest part for a reciever, from his experience, to get that trust in their body back while fighting off another guy. It sounds like he’s close, but still a week or two away.

by Nate Dogg on Sep 3, 2008 4:13 PM PDT reply actions

Exactly

You are the first person to point out that it isn’t a decision for Branch to make. They have a medical staff that makes these calls…or atleast advises Holmgren how to make them. If he gets in the game it’s because he is ready or because the risk of injury isn’t any any greater than if he waited a few weeks.

I'd like to kick Josh Brown in the privates!

by The Manchild on Sep 3, 2008 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions