Medical MD expects Richard Sherman to play SuperBowl

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Lots of injuries get better in the two weeks before Super Bowl. I am not suggesting that players don’t play through ailments all year long but absolutely no one misses the penultimate game.


A pair of wounded Seahawk defensive backs vowed to play in the big game. Richard Sherman injured his elbow and pledged after the game, “I’ll be out there, I promise that”. Earl Thomas hurt his shoulder and professed, “I’m going to be out there with my teammates no matter what.”
With the Super Bowl in 14 days, there is essentially a bye week. We all know the in-season healing powers of a week off and why no team wants it too early in the season. The two weeks before the big game have curative powers beyond even that of a regular season bye.
I have never personally been so lucky to be the doctor when our team made the Super Bowl. However, I have spent almost two decades on a NFL medical staff and was the official host physician for Super Bowls XXXII and XXXVII. Essentially, every player has something that hurts after 18 meaningful NFL games. The track record is that everyone plays in the Super Bowl regardless of type of injury.
In 1995, Rod Woodson tore his ACL in week one of the regular season. Although nowhere near 100%, he returned 19 weeks after surgery to play in Super Bowl XXX.
Terrell Owens fractured his ankle six weeks before Super Bowl XXXIX. Any broken bone takes a minimum of six weeks to heal. A lower extremity fracture in a wide receiver is typically expected to take three months or more, yet Owens returned to excel with nine catches for 122 yards in an Eagles defeat at the hands of the Patriots.
In the 2009 AFC Championship Game, Hines Ward suffered a significant MCL tear, which typically is projected to take a minimum of four to six weeks to recover. Although he was far from completely healthy, Ward returned to play in a Super Bowl XLIII victory and had two catches for 43 yards.
The bottom line is no one is going to miss out on a chance to play in the Super Bowl. Key Seahawks and Patriots injuries are detailed below but you can count on everyone playing.



MMMD 1: Richard Sherman injures left elbow
The Seahawks star cornerback appeared in real time to have hyperextended his elbow on a tackle when teammate Kam Chancellor came to assist. Although in obvious pain, he stayed on the field, did not miss a play and finished the game.
With elbow hyperextension injuries, it is common to sprain/tear the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), otherwise known as the Tommy John ligament. Since Sherman is not a throwing athlete, surgery is not required even if the UCL is torn.
After the game, a ligament sprain was confirmed with the additional concern of a nerve issue. Commonly, the ulnar nerve can be irritated with this injury but I doubt the MRI will show anything significant. Typically, if there is a significant ulnar nerve issue, it is aggravated by elbow flexion and that is how Sherman held his arm after the injury.
Sherman vowed that he would “100% be able to play”. Medically I would agree, and the extra week of rest will help. He could wear a brace like the one J.J. Watt had all season, but I doubt it, as cornerback’s value their mobility and often feel a brace inhibits free motion.
Thomas returned to the game with a brace
MMMD 2: Earl Thomas shoulder subluxation
Star safety Earl Thomas injured his left shoulder early in the game. By video, he subluxed (shifted in and out) his left shoulder. Seahawks' fans worried when he headed for the locker room but he returned with a shoulder harness and finished the game.
The specific injury was not officially confirmed but Thomas implied that his shoulder shifted in post-game interviews, and the brace is used to treat an unstable shoulder. A MRI may show a labral tear and he might even need offseason surgery but there is no way he will miss the Super Bowl. “I don’t care if I can’t function really well. I know if I can help the team, I’m going to be out there.” Although there is no question that he will play, his injury is likely a bigger issue than Sherman’s.
Thomas changed his tackling technique when he returned. Instead of reaching out and wrapping up (which is how he hurt his shoulder and how it is vulnerable), he kept his arm at his side and lowered his left shoulder on a big hit that drove Eddie Lacy into the Seahawks bench. There is not doubt he will use a similar shoulder brace for the Super Bowl. The harness restricts motion and keeps his shoulder stable by holding it closer to his body.



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I'm sure they'll play. I'm also sure that their effectiveness is severely compromised if they are effectively playing with one arm each. The greatest fear about these 2 great players is that they will intercept you if you throw it their way. Not so much with one arm. It was a joke that GB didn't target Sherman when he was playing with one arm in the 4th Q, just another indictment on their coaching. Brady and Bellichick will test them early and often, and make them prove their health.