[Chronicle] John McClain: Ben Tate Likely Done For Season With Broken Ankle

Yeah, must have been a torn achilles or some ligament/tendon.

 

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=6282

[rquoter]Texans rookie running back Ben Tate will need surgery after suffering a severe ankle injury in the Texans' preseason opener at Arizona, coach Gary Kubiak announced on Sunday.

Tate was injured in the third quarter against the Cardinals on Saturday night. The second-round draft pick (58th overall) out of Auburn gained 12 yards on a carry to the left side before falling to the ground in pain and being carted off the field.

"He obviously has a very significant ankle injury," Kubiak said. "It's still under evaluation at this point. I know that it's going to require surgery. We'll probably have a definite answer for you sometime tomorrow, but it's very unfortunate. Doesn't look good. That's the best I can describe it for now."

Tate (5-11, 220), who ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, was drafted higher than any running back in Texans history. He was expected to provide an immediate boost to a running game that ranked 30th in the NFL last season.

After missing most of organized team activities with a hamstring injury this offseason and having an up-and-down first two weeks of training camp, he was on track to get the majority of carries in the Texans' game against the Cardinals.

Tate entered the game in the second quarter after current starter Arian Foster and 2008 starter Steve Slaton, and he totaled only two carries for seven yards and one catch for five yards before being injured.

The Texans still have plenty of depth at running back with Foster, Slaton, Chris Henry and Jeremiah Johnson. Henry (5-11, 234) has been one of the most impressive players in Texans training camp practices. Johnson (5-9, 218), an undrafted rookie in 2009 who missed last season with a shoulder injury, led the Texans with five carries for 33 yards on Saturday.

Kubiak said it's a possibility that the Texans could keep all four running backs, who are all 25 or younger, on the active roster this season.

"You have three active all the time and you usually keep four, if not one maybe on the practice squad," Kubiak said. "But they're all so young, so that's a big possibility that we do. And there's also a possibility that if we're going to lose Ben for a period of time, we could be looking (for a free agent), too. We've got a long way to go. There's a lot of training camp left, a lot of preseason left just to get to opening day and we're sitting here looking at four young backs, so it's kind of scary."[/rquoter]

 

Not necessarily. An equivocal xray means nothing by itself. You need a repeat xray after 10 days, a CT, or a MRI to further evaluate the injury and make any kind of definitive diagnosis.

Also, a broken ankle can mean any number of things, a fractured tibia, fibula, or even talar dome. Also, there are a number of possible fracture patterns which all change the severity of the injury and the treatment.

 

I doubt it is a torn achilles, his career would likely be over if that was the case

 

Should have drafted Gerhart like I said during the draft.

 

It may mean they are putting a metallic plate in place to stabalize/bridge a fracture, who knows.

 

But Tate said that his ankle wasnt broken.

 

Gerhart had one major run...then 7 carries for 2 total yards. He's not the answer.

 

The Rams loaded the box to prevent the run when he was playing. I watched the game.

 

We'll see how his season turns out...and the Rams arent necessarily known for their defense.

In any case, you cant predict injuries...so to come out, after Tate gets injured to say that you knew they should have taken Gerhart is silly. That was a nice 12 yard run by Ben when he got injured...the guy has talent.

 

You guys are making assessments of players based on a couple of carries in a preseason game?


lulz.

 

I think it is silly that you are completely disregarding Toby, he was arguably the most talented back in the NCAA last year and was chosen before Tate for a reason

that being said.....

This reaction makes no sense. It was an injury, Gerhart would have been just as likely to get hurt on that play.

 

Just saying. It's not like Tate was even the number 2 back on this squad. That says something.

Sucks Tate went down be even before the injury he wasn't living up to expectations.

 

I think its silly that you assume someone is better because they were drafted a few spots ahead in a draft.

Im also not disregarding Toby...Im saying that Tate can be just as good or better.

 

Internet know it alls are great. Keep up the good work.

 

Sucks to be hurt and not be out there with my teammates working to make the playoffs but what doesnt kill you only makes you stronger!!

thats from his twitter.

sucks man.. im not worried about our team..but it sucks that that would happen so soon.

 

don't forget that the 2nd string actually lost a touchdown too when Steve "hands of stone" slaton fumbled at the goal line

 

Injuries are part of the game, Broncos lost Dumervil, Patriots lost Ty Warren and look out if you play CB for the Ravens.

Our depth is outstanding across the board. Foster looked great and other than the fumble I thought Slaton looked pretty good as well. Henry and Johnson looked okay as well.

It could be a lot worse than losing your third string RB for the year.

 

So McClain is saying that Tate will have surgery on Tuesday to repair a broken ankle...

Either Tate lied about breaking his ankle...or McClain is a moron for continuing to play the broken ankle card.

 

Knowing McClain, he's dead wrong.