Sony Michel reportedly already back to running at “full tilt”
Just barely removed from a minor knee procedure, Patriots running back Sony Michel is reportedly rehabbing quickly and already running without hindrance.
It hasn’t even been a full two weeks since word got out that Sony Michel went under the knife for a minor knee scope operation, and yet the second-year Patriots running back is reportedly already back to near-100% health and functionality.
Michel missed all of New England’s OTAs and then was absent (albeit excused) from the Patriots’ three-day mandatory minicamp at the start of June as well. Reporters and fans alike were all left wondering what had caused Michel’s mysterious absence until news broke that he was having his knee cleaned up in preparation for the 2019 season.
Though considered to be a relatively minor procedure, there was a justifiable level of concern given Michel’s history of knee injuries, which dates back at least as far as his days in college with the Georgia Bulldogs.
The good news is that according to sources cited in a new report by Jeremy Bergman of NFL.com, Michel has made about as complete and quick a recovery from the surgery as could possibly be hoped for. He is reportedly “progressing quickly” from the cleanup, and – even more encouragingly – has been seen running at “full tilt” already.
That bodes well for the Patriots obviously. Especially with Rob Gronkowski retired and Josh Gordon’s status still very much up-in-the-air for the upcoming regular season, New England is going to need all the weapons it can get its hands on this fall when it comes to offense. Don’t forget that Chris Hogan and Cordarrelle Patterson are also playing elsewhere, too.
Granted, the Patriots’ running back position is arguably the strongest and deepest point on the entire squad. The team drafted Alabama’s leading rusher last year, Damien Harris, to complement Michel, and the Patriots still have James White and Rex Burkhead lined up for major carries and catches this season, too. Throw in the return of core special-teamer Brandon Bolden and dependable fullback James Develin, and the Patriots should have the best platoon of runners in the NFL this year.
Next. Tom Brady nurturing and supporting Josh Gordon off the field. dark
Michel remains the crown jewel of that impressive bunch, though, so it’s important that he’s as close to full strength as possible come early September. He did miss some time in 2018 with injuries, so here’s hoping he gets that bug out of his system right now with this surgery and can make it through all of 2019 unscathed.