This is the time of year where we start learning about off season surgeries for NFL players and where they are in their recovery. A few big names are coming off surgeries, including Tom Brady, Amari Cooper and Calvin Ridley. Ridley’s surgery was the only one unknown until today though.
Ridley underwent “minor foot surgery” this offseason per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He is expected to miss the Atlanta Falcons minicamp but be ready for training camp in late July. His health takes on a bigger point of emphasis with Julio Jones being traded just days ago. If he has any trouble this season, Matt Ryan and the Falcons passing offense will be hard pressed to move the ball.
Brady had knee surgery, as was reported back in May. The quarterback called it “pretty serious knee surgery”, per Tampa Bay Times Rick Stroud. But now we learn that Brady knew he’d need to have surgery back in April of last year.
Tom Brady talking now. I asked him about QB coach Clyde Christensen calling his knee injury a "nagging nuisance" all year. He wasn't kidding. Brady said that around April of last year is when he knew that he'd need to have surgery on his knee at the end of the season.
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) June 9, 2021
Earlier coach Bruce Arians didn’t think Brady would do much at minicamp, but he ended up taking a full set of reps on the first day, per ESPN’s Jenna Laine. Brady will be 44 in August, but right now he appears to be in better shape than he was at this time last season. That along with a full year fine-tuning a new Bucs offense should have Tampa Bay primed for a strong season.
Cooper, the Dallas Cowboys No. 1 wide receiver, had ankle surgery back in early January and “is still working through” his recovery, per Dallas Morning News’ Michael Gehlken. Cooper dealt with that injury much of last season. He reportedly will be ready for training camp. A healthy Cooper, CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup would make for a lethal combination in 2021 with Dak Prescott back and healthy.