Monday, May 2, 2011
Posted: 4:17 p.m.
By Reuben Frank
CSNPhilly.com
Eagles Pro Bowl fullback Leonard Weaver said his return for the 2011 season is a long shot but said his surgically repaired left knee has healed and hes optimistic about the whole situation.
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Weaver, who suffered a devastating knee injury in the Eagles opening-day loss to the Packers in September, addressed his situation in a series of posts on Twitter Monday and also addressed the Eagles decision to draft a fullback in the seventh round on Saturday.
As far as me coming back next season? It seem(s) like a long shot even thou(gh) I'm optimistic about the whole situation, Weaver tweeted, adding, And just a quick update for everyone.....the rehab is going great, kevin wilk and his staff are doing their job the right way.
Wilk is the Birmingham-based clinical physical therapist who is overseeing Weavers rehab. Wilk is associate clinical director for Champion Sports Medicine in Birmingham, where noted knee specialist James Andrews has performed three operations on Weaver in the past eight months.
The most serious of the procedures was a tendon transfer surgery in January, in which Andrews removed a tendon from the back of his foot and surgically re-attached it to the top of his foot to try to give Weaver the ability to lift his foot.
Nerve damage Weaver suffered on the playhis only rushing attempt of the seasonhas hindered his ability to lift his foot.
Weaver tweeted that his knee injurya torn anterior cruciate ligament and torn posterior lateral cornerhas healed.
I'm up walking and moving faster than before, Weaver tweeted. My knee is healed and were (sic) are waiting on the foot!!!!
With Weavers career in jeopardy, the Eagles drafted USC fullback Stanley Havili in the seventh round on Saturday.
Weaver said hes looking forward to working with Havili once the lockout is over and teams are allowed to get back to work.
I cant wait to be able to work with him and watch him grow as a man and player, Weaver tweeted. I look forward in sharing my knowledge of the game and tips to help the young man become the best. Its my job to prepare him. ...
Im happy about who the eagles have drafted because these young men are going to bring us great success.
He added, The eagles drafting a fullback and who they drafted doesn't scare me or makes me fear anything. Its the nature of the business.
And he concluded with this: However, I want you fans and family to know this I will return.
Later Monday evening, Weaver was back on Twitter with more:
"Man it has been a roller coaster of feelings and emotion towards my injury. You try to be positive and easy going, but you know what... Inspite (sic) of all that has been said about me and my injury, I'm stating to all who will listen and see ... I will play again, I will never give up or give in. ... I will not stop until I help bring a Super Bowl back to Philadelphia. ... That's what I came here for, and that's what I intend to do."
In 2009, his only full season with the Eagles, Weaver averaged 4.6 yards on 70 carries and caught 15 passes for 140 yards and earned his first Pro Bowl selection. His former teammate, Owen Schmitt, started at fullback for the Eagles last year and was a Pro Bowl alternate.
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com
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