Banta-Cain Has Abdominal Surgery (UPDATED)

Patriots outside linebacker Tully Banta-Cain underwent surgery for an abdominal tear on Friday, according to a league source. It was an injury he had been dogged by last season, and it flared up during recent offseason workouts. (The usual recovery time for such an injury is approximately 4-6 weeks.)

Banta-Cain is a guy I undervalue every year. Last season he surprised me once again with 50 tackles and 5 sacks. Sure those aren't all that impressive, but consider the leader of the Patriots in sacks had 5.5 this is actually a hit for the Patriots. In a way I am glad, I never liked Banta-Cain, I think he's weak and I hope this pushes the Patriots to add someone, but it won't. They will end up hope Cunningham or someone surprises them and can be their next pass rusher.


***UPDATE***

Or maybe the Patriots won't wait for him to comeback...

"ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Tully Banta-Cain has been told by the New England Patriots that he will be released."

Obviously, the Patriots could just resign him once he is healthy again.

Owens Career Over?

Terrell Owens has undergone surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in one of his knees following a previously undisclosed injury this offseason. Owens has not confirmed the surgery, but sources say he had it within the last month. The prediction is that it will take about 6 months for him to get back on the field, so he probably wouldn't be ready to go till December. If that's the case you have to wonder if anyone will have interest. He is coming off a great year, but teams usually shy away from Owens, because he is a head case. Now you can add injury, to him being old and crazy. It will be very interesting to see if we ever see Owens in the NFL again.

Pedroia To Have Surgery?

Very interesting report has surfaced today saying that Pedroia might need to have surgery on his right knee. He is having it checked out today in Boston, and they are going to put a camera into his knee to see the extent of the damage. If there are major problems he could have surgery on it as early as tomorrow.

CBS Sports has an unnamed Red Sox official that says that he doesn't expect Pedroia to need surgery and that "Pedey is overly dramatic," the Boston Herald quotes an anonymous source. "At this point, I honestly think we're just being cautious."

Pedroia has really struggled this year hitting only .241 with 4 HRs and 22 RBIs. I have wondered all along if it is his foot. I still think it is, and I am not really buying this knee thing either. It just seems like he is looking for an excuse for why he is playing so bad, and he has such a big ego that he need to think it's physical. Bottom like is that he won't be 100% until he gets that screw out of his foot after the season ends.

Doc Rivers To Have Throat Surgery

"Celtics coach Doc Rivers will have surgery today to remove a noncancerous growth from his throat, a team spokesman confirmed. The procedure comes seven months after Rivers had a biopsy to determine if lesions on his throat were cancerous. The results of those tests came back negative (Boston.com)."

I guess Rivers has family history of throat cancer, so it is great news that this isn't anything more serious. I do wonder if this had anything to do with him never having a voice. I know he yells a lot during the game, but it got to the point where he could barely talk. Hopefully everything goes well, and maybe we will be able to understand him better later in the games.

Kendry Morales Out For The Season

- The Los Angeles Angels announced Wednesday that first baseman Kendrys Morales will undergo season-ending surgery on his left ankle.

Morales met with an ankle specialist in Colorado on Monday and, after consulting with Angels trainers and doctors, elected to undergo surgery to "clean up" scar tissue and bone cysts in the area of the ankle he fractured while celebrating a game-winning home run on May 29, 2010.ESPN

This sucks for the Angels and for all fantasy owners across the land. Morales is a real good 1st baseman who is capable of hitting 40 homers and being the cleanup hitter of a line up. It's too bad he's gone for the season. Especially since he had the celebration injury that caused him all of 2010. I believe Morales is a free agent after this year so he could be a potential steal for anyone taking the risk as he is only 27.

Adam Dunn Has Emergency Appendectomy

"Tough break for the White Sox as it’s being reported that Adam Dunn had an emergency appendectomy this morning. He apparently fell-ill last night after the Royals-Sox game (NBC Sports)."

The good news here is that this is the less severe surgery then a lot of other appendectomy surgeries. Word is that he could be back in a little less then a week. I think Dunn is in for a huge year. He has a lot of protection in this lineup with Quentin, Konerko, Rois, ect. Dunn has been on a tear already this year hitting .571 with 1 HR and 5 RBIs, so hopefully this time off doesn't throw him off his current hot streak.

Mark Teahen is the likely replacement to replace Adam Dunn at DH while he recovers.

Rudy Gay's Season Comes To An End

"The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that Grizzlies swingman Rudy Gay (shoulder) will miss the remainder of the season. Gay received a second opinion from a doctor that recommended season-ending surgery. Gay was hurt on Feb. 15 and has already missed five weeks with the injury. “I’ve never really been hurt. I’ve never had anything shut me down,” Gay said. “There’s really no brace or anything I can wear to make it better. I have to have the surgery (CBS Sports).”

Grizzlies have moved Tony Allen, which will help pick up the slack defensively, but the Grizzlies will miss Gays offense. Right now, the Grizzlies have a 2 game lead for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference. This could come down the wire, as the Rockets have been playing real well lastly, winning 4 straight and 7 of their last 10. You have to wonder if this news will deflate the Grizzlies, but whoever makes it in the Spurs will take care of very quickly.

Celtics Trade Looks Even Better

"Thunder guard Nate Robinson had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks, the team announced Friday. Robinson, who has played one game for Oklahoma City after being traded from the Celtics last month with Kendrick Perkins for Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic, experienced discomfort in his knee following Monday's practice (WEEI)."

Ainge you cheeky bastard, that's two players traded to the Thunder, and two cases of knee problems. Not that Robinson was the major piece of the trade, but with "throw in" Krstic already outperforming projections this trade just keeps looking better and better.

I will miss Robinson's antics, but he really was pretty useless for the Celtics, and at the end of the day is just too small to be a consistent player.

More Great News For The Blazers

The Blazers already are dealing with Greg Oden, Brandon Roy, Elliot Williams and Jeff Pendergraph all of which have had knee surgery this season. Now they are dealing with another one...

"Camby had an MRI on Tuesday and it revealed he has a partial tear of the meniscus in the left knee (ESPN)."

The Blazers just can't catch a break. Camby is going to need surgery, and should have it at some point this week. There is no timetable for his return, but while he is out it looks like Joel Przybilla will be starting.

I have always liked Camby, and he is still a very good defensive player, so this could really hurt the Blazers who currently in 8th place in the West only 2 1/2 games above Phoenix and Memphis.

Brandon Roy To Have Surgery On Both Knees

Man the Blazers have had some bad luck with injuries...

"Portland Trail Blazers star Brandon Roy will have arthroscopic surgery on both of his knees next week. The team says there is no timetable for the All-Star guard's return. Roy has missed 16 games this season because of soreness in his knees, which he has said is caused by a lack of cartilage (ESPN)."

Roy is going to miss most (if not all) of this season. After already having to deal with Oden's career looking like it could be over, this obviously wasn't good news. Roy is just 26 years old, but his knees are bone on bone, and I just don't see him ever being healthy. As much as I feel bad for the Blazers this is really their own fault. They knew Roy had knee problems and they gave him an extension anyways, so this couldn't have been completely unexpected.

Doc Has Throat Surgery

Celtics head coach Doc Rivers had a procedure Sunday to relieve pressure on his vocal cords and missed practice on Monday.

"He feels good, but the doctor doesn't want him using his voice, so it will kind of be day-to-day," assistant coach Lawrence Frank told ESPNBoston.com.

This won't be a big deal as Doc will be back. Lawrence Frank will be running the team for the time being, whom I trust.

Oh yea, Celtics open practice today at 6 at TD Banknorth if anyone is in the area.

Bynum's Surgery Delay Proves Costly

"The Lakers open their regular season on October 26, but because of a large delay in the timing of Bynum’s knee surgery, the team will likely be without the center throughout training camp, the preseason and perhaps the opener. Bynum originally scheduled his surgery for July 18 — over a month after the season ended on June 17, and pushed back the procedure 10 days due to scheduling conflicts (WEEI)."

In the grand scheme of things this won't matter much, but I would still love to know what his "scheduling conflicts" were. I mean this should have been priority #1, but like I said it is a very long season and the Lakers are going to be the top team in the West regardless, so I doubt this will affect them much. I do question if Bynum is ever going to be able to stay healthy throughout an entire season though.

Breaking News: Ryan Grant's Year Over

Green Bay Packers running back Ryan Grant will require surgery to correct a torn ligament in his ankle that will leave him on crutches for 10-12 weeks, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Grant is likely to fly to New York to visit a doctor for a second opinion. Foxsports.com reported that Grant will be put on injured reserve, ending his season.

This really hurts the Packers as they are one of the few teams in the NFL that really only use 1 back. Brandon Jackson is really going to have to step up, and Rodgers is going to have to throw this offense on his back once again if they want to have any shot at living up to expectations. Grant is going for a 2nd opinion, but I doubt anything will change. Just another team that was hyped before the season losing a very key player.

Breaking News: Kris Jenkins Lost For Season

"Jets defensive tackle Kris Jenkins tore his anterior cruciate ligament and is out for the season, according to Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network. Jenkins suffered the same injury last season. The Jets play the Patriots Sunday (WEEI)."

HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, oh this is just too good. After all the shit we had to listen to all offseason about how awesome the Jets were going to be they lose the anchor in the middle of their defense, and their offense looks like something from the Raiders the past couple season.

To be honest, I do feel bad for Jenkins. During "Hard Knocks" I really thought he was the best character on it. He seemed humble, and just happy to be playing again. Now he has torn the same ligament he did last year, and you really have to wonder if he is ever going to be able to come back.

Then again, fuck New Jersey.

Nick Johnson Not Coming Back

Manager Joe Girardi said Wednesday that Johnson will undergo another wrist injury, which will sideline him for the season. Johnson was signed over the winter to replace Johnny Damon at designated hitter, but has been a big bust, hitting .167 in 24 games. I was actually sold that he would be pretty decent for the Yankees, but he has been a complete bust. His failure made the Yankees go out and get Berkman, and he has also been a bust.

The Yankees could be in a bit of trouble. They are dealing with a lot of injuries, and they seem to be showing their age. I think the Rays are a better all around team, and if they are able to land Manny they have to be the favorites to win the division.

But this is what you get when you trust someone who looks like the crazy guy from Full Metal Jacket.

Sidney Rice Has Hip Surgery

Sidney Rice will miss at least the first half of the season after undergoing hip surgery. You add this to Percy Harvin's severe migraines, and the Vikings offense is in a lot of trouble.

What is interesting about this story is that Rice hurt his hip in the NFC Championship Game, so why didn't he have this surgery in the offseason? If I was the Vikings I would be pissed, but then again they are the ones that should've told him he needs surgery.

With Rice out, and Harvin a big question mark Favre is going to have a hard time finding open receivers. The Vikings have got so desperate that they are about to sign Javon Walker, who hasn't done shit since 2006.

All I know is that this helps the Packers, and that makes me happy. Fuck Favre, Rodgers 4 Life.

Torry Holt's Career Over?

"Veteran wide receiver Torry Holt was placed on injured reserve by the New England Patriots on Sunday, the team announced. Holt has a knee injury and will undergo surgery this week, according to his agent, Kennard McGuire. It is possible the surgery will mean the end of Holt's stellar career (ESPN)."

Yea, real fucking shocking Patriots. To be honest I don't think Holt was going to make this team anyways. He is all washed up, and was just a name so that Patriots fan wouldn't go ape shit that they didn't do a damn thing all offseason. Good thing we didn't sign that Owens guy, huh? Yea, he isn't better then Holt. He wouldn't be a great deep threat opposite Moss.

Anyways, the Patriots really need Tate to step up. Edleman is a replica of Welker, which is great, but I don't really see the Patriots having both guys on the field unless they go to a spread offense again. Tate can be a nice deep threat, if he can stay healthy, but I'd feel a lot better with a proven starter playing. Then again that is basically how I feel about this defense too. If all these young guys don't step up, they are going to suck.

Sheets Career Over?

Basically the worst situation for the A's and Sheets has happened. Ben Sheets has a torn flexor tendon that will require surgery to fix. Sheets missed all of 2009 with the exact same injury and surgery, so the road back will be rough, and it wasn't like he was very good this year (4.53 ERA).

I feel bad for him, because even if he makes it back he will never be that pitcher he was with the Brewers. The good news for the A's is that they only gave him a 1 year deal, so they are off the hook after this year. Sheets on the other hand is fucked, and I really would probably retire if I was him.

Perkins Surgery Goes Well

Celtics center Kendrick Perkins had successful arthroscopic ligament reconstruction on his right knee yesterday. Perkins had surgery nearly 4 weeks after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament and also damaging his medical collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments during Game 6 of the NBA Finals. He is expected to miss about 6 months.

Even with the signing of O'Neal the Celtics are going to be hurting without this guy on the court. He is a fantastic defensive center, and adds toughness to a team that is going to really need it (especially if Wallace retires). Still, Boston showed last year that the regular season doesn't matter, so as long as he can get himself going before the playoffs, and this injury does linger they should be fine.

Favre Is Coming Back

I know, I know, I hate writing Favre posts, but news came out that Favre has had (or is about to have) surgery on his ankle. This is an obvious sign that he is returning, and the players in the Vikings locker room seem to agree. I knew there was no way he was not coming back. I hate him, and I hope that the Packers actually kill him on the field. Still, why not come back? He just had one of his better seasons. His team is in great shape to make another run, and you get to play in a dome. Anyways, unless he retires this is my last Brett Favre rumor post.