Walter Nolan-Meniscus and not ACL? Darren Urban mailbag information.

[Russ Smith]

Also goes back to the Benson thing. They likely did the trimming mentioned in the story, it didn't work and then they did the surgery Nolen has had.

 

[football karma]

Although meniscus repairs do have a significantly higher failure rate than ACL reconstructions.... I'm not gonna over think it, you'd rather it be meniscus than ACL.

It seems like the treatment for meniscus tears has advanced significantly in the last 10-15 years or so

back in the Wadsworth days -- a big meniscus tear in the wrong spot just left bone rubbing on bone and there was nothing to be done about it

 

[602 Native]

On the Cardinals home site, Darren Urban does a “mailbag” question and answer from fans. One question regarded the injury to Walter Nolan. According to Urban, Nolan’s injury is a Meniscus tear and not an ACL. He should be full go for 2026.

LOL

He got that info from Nolan's girlfriend who said this on TikTock back in January.

I hate the Cardinals.

 

[Cheesebeef]

LOL

He got that info from Nolan's girlfriend who said this on TikTock back in January.

I hate the Cardinals.

just such a poorly run organization in every way... from product on the field to treatment of players to treatment of players families and all the way down to treatment of the fans (hiding injuries, pushing the average fan out of their seats for casitas and that lame as section dead center of the field, etc).

 

[Harry]

It seems like the treatment for meniscus tears has advanced significantly in the last 10-15 years or so

back in the Wadsworth days -- a big meniscus tear in the wrong spot just left bone rubbing on bone and there was nothing to be done about it

Wadsworth was one of the first players to undergo Dr Steadman’s Microfracture surgery. It’s now an established treatment but has advanced greatly. It’s sad because the Cards took a lot of heat for drafting Wadsworth, but I think he had a bad surgical recovery and it destroyed his career. He would have been great. This stuff makes me think there really might be a curse; gypsy time required to remove curse.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Wadsworth was one of the first players to undergo Dr Steadman’s Microfracture surgery. It’s now an established treatment but has advanced greatly. It’s sad because the Cards took a lot of heat for drafting Wadsworth, but I think he had a bad surgical recovery and it destroyed his career. He would have been great. This stuff makes me think there really might be a curse; gypsy time required to remove curse.

FYI:
Yes, microfracture surgery is still used, but its application has narrowed. While once the primary treatment for cartilage defects, it is now mostly reserved for smaller knee cartilage lesions in younger, active patients. It has largely been replaced by more advanced cartilage restoration techniques, such as MACI, for larger defects.

For a deeper dive:

Why Microfracture Has Fallen Out of Favor Amongst Cartilage Surgeons - Dr. Ronak M. Patel

Microfracture surgery was once a go-to procedure for cartilage surgeons, particularly in treating athletes with joint injuries. This technique, which involves creating small holes in the subchondral bone to stimulate a healing response, initially showed promising short-term results. However, its...

www.drronakpatel.com

 

[Lomax to Green 84]

Wadsworth was one of the first players to undergo Dr Steadman’s Microfracture surgery. It’s now an established treatment but has advanced greatly. It’s sad because the Cards took a lot of heat for drafting Wadsworth, but I think he had a bad surgical recovery and it destroyed his career. He would have been great. This stuff makes me think there really might be a curse; gypsy time required to remove curse.

I have been to many training camps and have seen a bunch of “wow” moments from guys like Fitz, Boldin, Eric Swann, etc.., but I have never been as blown away as I was at an early training camp practice in 1999. It was one of those mid week practices up in Flagstaff where you could just meander between fields. On one of the back fields the defensive ends were going against the offensive tackles with full pads on. Andre Wadsworth went up against a giant tackle named Clark. The violence, speed, and power Wadsworth exhibited was something I had never seen before and still have never seen. There were a couple of other fans there and we all just looked at each other and laughed. This was the Wadsworth who was compared to Bruce Smith. This was the healthy player who would have been a superstar. It was awesome to see and so sad knowing he never got a chance to be that guy.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I have been to many training camps and have seen a bunch of “wow” moments from guys like Fitz, Boldin, Eric Swann, etc.., but I have never been as blown away as I was at an early training camp practice in 1999. It was one of those mid week practices up in Flagstaff where you could just meander between fields. On one of the back fields the defensive ends were going against the offensive tackles with full pads on. Andre Wadsworth went up against a giant tackle named Clark. The violence, speed, and power Wadsworth exhibited was something I had never seen before and still have never seen. There were a couple of other fans there and we all just looked at each other and laughed. This was the Wadsworth who was compared to Bruce Smith. This was the healthy player who would have been a superstar. It was awesome to see and so sad knowing he never got a chance to be that guy.

he was supposed to be sooooooo good. Generational DE - with Rice on the other side of him.

Those guys bringing heat off the edges would have been so much damn fun to watch for years.

 

[602 Native]

I have been to many training camps and have seen a bunch of “wow” moments from guys like Fitz, Boldin, Eric Swann, etc.., but I have never been as blown away as I was at an early training camp practice in 1999. It was one of those mid week practices up in Flagstaff where you could just meander between fields. On one of the back fields the defensive ends were going against the offensive tackles with full pads on. Andre Wadsworth went up against a giant tackle named Clark. The violence, speed, and power Wadsworth exhibited was something I had never seen before and still have never seen. There were a couple of other fans there and we all just looked at each other and laughed. This was the Wadsworth who was compared to Bruce Smith. This was the healthy player who would have been a superstar. It was awesome to see and so sad knowing he never got a chance to be that guy.

he was supposed to be sooooooo good. Generational DE - with Rice on the other side of him.

Those guys bringing heat off the edges would have been so much damn fun to watch for years.

Brother that was such a sad outcome.

Everyone loved that pick and the dude just tore up his knee.

Also I was one of the early micro fracture patients as well and I swore I would never have knee surgery again after that surgery.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

he was supposed to be sooooooo good. Generational DE - with Rice on the other side of him.

Those guys bringing heat off the edges would have been so much damn fun to watch for years.

Not to mention Swann, another injury washout.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Not to mention Swann, another injury washout.

yeah, but he was already falling apart so I never counted on him moving forward.

the athleticism/speed that D had up front with Simeon/Wadsworth/Jamir Miller - and then they immediately let Jamir walk in a Dansby-esque moronic move, Wadsworth's knee blew up and Simeon... well, we know the story there.

But those three guys just DOMINATED Dallas in that playoff game. All young, cornerstone studs on D to possibly wreak havoc for years.

and within a matter of years, all three of them were gone for one reason or another.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

yeah, but he was already falling apart so I never counted on him moving forward.

the athleticism/speed that D had up front with Simeon/Wadsworth/Jamir Miller - and then they immediately let Jamir walk in a Dansby-esque moronic move, Wadsworth's knee blew up and Simeon... well, we know the story there.

But those three guys just DOMINATED Dallas in that playoff game. All young, cornerstone studs on D to possibly wreak havoc for years.

and within a matter of years, all three of them were gone for one reason or another.

That 97 team was such a fun year - I actually went to quite a few of those games, including the playoff clincher vs. the Saints when Jacke hit the field goal. Alas, we can't have nice things here.

 

[Krangodnzr]

yeah, but he was already falling apart so I never counted on him moving forward.

the athleticism/speed that D had up front with Simeon/Wadsworth/Jamir Miller - and then they immediately let Jamir walk in a Dansby-esque moronic move, Wadsworth's knee blew up and Simeon... well, we know the story there.

But those three guys just DOMINATED Dallas in that playoff game. All young, cornerstone studs on D to possibly wreak havoc for years.

and within a matter of years, all three of them were gone for one reason or another.

Don't forget Mark Smith who was really good early in his career.

I still can't believe they let Miller walk and then he goes to the Browns and puts up double-digit sacks. Miller was such a talented player.

 

[some dumb guy]

Love the new avatar Krang...lolololl

 

[Russ Smith]

yeah, but he was already falling apart so I never counted on him moving forward.

the athleticism/speed that D had up front with Simeon/Wadsworth/Jamir Miller - and then they immediately let Jamir walk in a Dansby-esque moronic move, Wadsworth's knee blew up and Simeon... well, we know the story there.

But those three guys just DOMINATED Dallas in that playoff game. All young, cornerstone studs on D to possibly wreak havoc for years.

and within a matter of years, all three of them were gone for one reason or another.

Don't forget Mark Smith who also had knee problems. He was actually hurt before we drafted him it's why we got him later in the draft. There was a point where he was arguably the best player on our DL but his knee didn't hold up for very long.

Swann was very sad a cheapshot agains Philly hurt his knee and he was just never the same. He was the first human being to have 2 microfracture surgeries on the same knee the Cards team doctor did the first one it didn't "take" and then Stedman did it. One of my all time favorite Cardinal players at his peak he was so good.

 

[oaken1]

yeah, but he was already falling apart so I never counted on him moving forward.

the athleticism/speed that D had up front with Simeon/Wadsworth/Jamir Miller - and then they immediately let Jamir walk in a Dansby-esque moronic move, Wadsworth's knee blew up and Simeon... well, we know the story there.

But those three guys just DOMINATED Dallas in that playoff game. All young, cornerstone studs on D to possibly wreak havoc for years.

and within a matter of years, all three of them were gone for one reason or another.

Yeah...and iirc, the squad was topped off by some no name guy called Mark Smith who was a legit badass in his own right. He just settled in to playing Robin for all
the batman we had.
He finished that year with 9 sacks from the DT position ..as a 7th round pick.

Sadly. Mark passed away a couple weeks ago at 51.
All Rookie team was the highest honor he ever earned. But he helped the Arizona Cardinals get to the second round of the playoffs.

R.I.P. Mark. You are remembered brother.

 

[oaken1]

Oh wow...
I see i ain't the only one remembering Mark.
That's what I get for replying before I finish the thread

 

[speedy]

That 97 team was such a fun year - I actually went to quite a few of those games, including the playoff clincher vs. the Saints when Jacke hit the field goal. Alas, we can't have nice things here.

it was actually 98

 

[schutd]

That 97 team was such a fun year - I actually went to quite a few of those games, including the playoff clincher vs. the Saints when Jacke hit the field goal. Alas, we can't have nice things here.

Didnt we clinch against The Chargers? Its been too long, but my brain says SD.

 

[football karma]

Didnt we clinch against The Chargers? Its been too long, but my brain says SD.

yes, in the most Cardinal-esque fashion ever

the Chargers were playing out the season and started Craig Welihan. the Cards took a 13-3 lead into the 4th quarter, but SD had moved the ball all day but threw 4 ints -- all by Kwame Lassiter.

But the D allowed a Welihan 30 yard TD pass with 22 secs left to tie it up.

On the KO -- Eric Metcalf returned the ball the around midfield. One Plummer completion put the ball in FG range and Jacke converted.

it was a crazy game

 

[RON_IN_OC]

Wadsworth was one of the first players to undergo Dr Steadman’s Microfracture surgery. It’s now an established treatment but has advanced greatly. It’s sad because the Cards took a lot of heat for drafting Wadsworth, but I think he had a bad surgical recovery and it destroyed his career. He would have been great. This stuff makes me think there really might be a curse; gypsy time required to remove curse.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Harry]

Brother that was such a sad outcome.

Everyone loved that pick and the dude just tore up his knee.

Also I was one of the early micro fracture patients as well and I swore I would never have knee surgery again after that surgery.

While the Cards didn’t give him the title of GM, I’m pretty sure Bob Ferguson made the decision to draft Wadsworth. After Wadsworth’s injury Ferguson was severely abused for selecting Wadsworth. If memory serves Wadsworth was moved inside (I think they played NO). He was incredible and the result was the Cards made the playoffs for the first time I think in about 15 years. Many believe the damage from that effort curtailed Wadsworth’s career. If he had durability he’d be in the Hall of Fame. He was that talented.

 

[Harry]

To another issue I haven’t forgotten I posted I heard it was ACL. It appears that was wrong and if so I’ll take the heat, but let’s wait until he plays.

 

[Stout]

While the Cards didn’t give him the title of GM, I’m pretty sure Bob Ferguson made the decision to draft Wadsworth. After Wadsworth’s injury Ferguson was severely abused for selecting Wadsworth. If memory serves Wadsworth was moved inside (I think they played NO). He was incredible and the result was the Cards made the playoffs for the first time I think in about 15 years. Many believe the damage from that effort curtailed Wadsworth’s career. If he had durability he’d be in the Hall of Fame. He was that talented.

Also, taking Wadsworth meant we didn't fall into the Leaf trap, which would've been even worse.

How awful is our luck, though? In the year of Peyton Manning, the Cards picked #2. This year, they can't get Mendoza picking at #3. Oof.

 

[602 Native]

While the Cards didn’t give him the title of GM, I’m pretty sure Bob Ferguson made the decision to draft Wadsworth. After Wadsworth’s injury Ferguson was severely abused for selecting Wadsworth. If memory serves Wadsworth was moved inside (I think they played NO). He was incredible and the result was the Cards made the playoffs for the first time I think in about 15 years. Many believe the damage from that effort curtailed Wadsworth’s career. If he had durability he’d be in the Hall of Fame. He was that talented.

Yeah I try to forget things like this so it doesn't trigger my CPTSD.

Thanks Harry for traumatising me further today.