Special teams coach Mike Westhoff to miss offseason OTAs with New York Jets after surgery - NFL News
New York Jets will have to make do without their special teams coach, Mike Westhoff, during the offseason after he underwent surgery in Indianapolis.
Westhoff who survived bone cancer had a titanium rod installed in his left leg in 2008 and that rod broke down last Friday while he was visiting his son.
The coach was taken to hospital where X-Rays revealed the broken rod which was replaced after surgery.
Due to the major incision, Westhoff had to spend six days at the Indianapolis hospital before returning to New Jersey.
He will not be available to take part in the rest of the team’s organised team activities (OTAs) as he regains his strength but is confident that he will return to coaching duties by the start of training camp.
Speaking to ESPNNewYork.com he said.
"In my wildest imagination, I never expected anything like this to happen,"
Adding further he said that he had noticed a clicking sound while walking and went to the Indiana University Medical Center to have his leg checked by doctors.
"I noticed something abnormal when I was walking, a clicking sound. (The doctors) recommended an X-ray. As I headed to the X-ray room, the leg broke -- the metal broke. Whether it was metal fatigue, I don't know. I stayed for what they called a 'hardware
repair.'"
Westhoff missed the first day of the Jets OTAs on Thursday with assistant special teams coach, Ben Kotwica taking over duties.
The coach went on to say that he wants to get back to preparing the team before the start of the new season but he will first have to regain his strength back.
"Anytime you have a major incision, it's going to take time. You have to go through the healing process. I usually start back too soon, but I have to get my strength back."
Hopefully the coach will make a speedy recovery and once again take over his duties with the Jets.
Westhoff plans to retire from coaching duties after the end of the 2012-13 season after a career that started from 1985 and was diagnosed with bone cancer in 1988.
He is now 64 years old.
Tags: