Jacksonville Jaguars’ CB Rashean Mathis ahead on recovery from ACL surgery, desperate for return
Jacksonville Jaguars’ cornerback, Rashean Mathis, aims to return to full practice by June 04, less than six months after the player’s reconstructive surgery on his left knee.
Mathis said that he was quite ahead in the recovery schedule and will be meeting his doctor next month to seek permission to return to the game.
He said:
"It's not like I'm defying all odds. I knew there was a possibility I could be way ahead of the curve. It's just all about how I took care of myself."
He is able to do all workout related activities and not wearing a brace. Still, he is out of organised team activities (OTAs).
Meanwhile, Jaguars have welcomed the reported return plan of the player but said to be adopting a cautious approach while taking him back into the workload.
Jaguars’ coach, Mike Mularkey, said Mathis will be limited in the team’s mandatory minicamp next month after returning from the injury.
With clearance from the team, the decision and timeline of Mathis’ return is down to the doctor’s assessment.
Apparently, the optimism shown by the player and the backing he has received from his new head coach reflect that he seems to be well on the course of a permanent return to the team.
Mathis said:
"If I come back like I expect to come back, then I expect to play. That's never a doubt in my mind. Control what I can control and then let the rest handle itself. What I control is being healthy when it's time to be healthy."
Jaguars’ managers are even more confident about Mathis’ return that they have already cleared the position for him by releasing cornerback, Drew Coleman, less than a year to landing him $7.5 million, three-year deal.
A number of questions have been lingering around Mathis’ future at Jacksonville after the major surgery on his knee to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
He suffered the injury in November 2011, almost halfway through the regular season. The injury and consequent surgery forced him out of last seven games of the season.
In spite of the uncertainty about the player’s health and fitness, general manager, Gene Smith, posed his confidence into the player and signed with him a year deal worth up to $5 million.
Jaguars, in absence of the player, have transformed themselves altogether, changing the ownership hands and a majority of former officials and coaching staff.
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