Bennett's foot not healing as fast as expected

[The_Philster]

Already resigned to opening training camp without Michael Bennett, the Minnesota Vikings might now confront a far more dire circumstance, with ESPN.com learning that the star tailback could conceivably be sidelined for the entire 2003 season.

Bennett on Wednesday sought a second opinion on his surgically repaired left foot and, according to NFL sources with knowledge of the examination, the results were not very promising for the third-year back. The examination performed by Dr. Robert Anderson in Charlotte, N.C., revealed that the so-called "Jones fracture," suffered earlier this spring, is not healing as quickly as was anticipated.

One of the leading foot specialists in the country, Anderson has not yet recommended a second operation, and will attempt to promote healing with non-surgical treatments. But sources said that, depending on how the foot responds between now and the beginning of the season, Bennett could miss a portion of the campaign and possibly the entire year....
more (http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/pasquarelli_len/1578722.html)

[Gunzlingr]

After a setback to his surgically repaired left foot, Michael Bennett must make a decision that could cost him the entire 2003 season.

The Vikings' starting running back could choose a procedure that could get him back on the field late in the preseason, or a safer procedure that essentially would sideline him for the season.

"It's ultimately Mike's decision," Vikings head coach Mike Tice said Wednesday night. "He has to decide which route he needs to go. If all goes well, he could be there for second or third preseason game. But in speaking with Mike at length, the advice I gave him was to sleep on it."

Sources close to the situation said a screw inserted into Bennett's foot during spring surgery has broken. He injured the foot in March when he came down on it awkwardly while running on a treadmill at the team's headquarters in Eden Prairie. He had surgery a few weeks later.

Now he's headed for more surgery. One option is the one Tennessee Titans defensive end Jevon Kearse took in February.


more (http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/football/6269107.htm)

[The_Philster]

For now at least, Minnesota Vikings tailback Michael Bennett will eschew a second surgery on his injured left foot, ESPN.com has learned, and instead will undergo a less invasive procedure that he hopes might get him back on the field by midseason.

Likely within the next week, Bennett will have bone marrow extracted from his hip. The marrow will then be mixed with a protein agent known as Ignite, and injected in his foot, in a unique procedure developed by Charlotte, N.C.-based orthopedic surgeon Dr. Robert Anderson, the foot specialist who examined Bennett earlier this week....more (http://msn.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/pasquarelli_len/1579281.html)