Medical Minute - Steve Smith
There are usually a lot of injuries that occur during the preseason that has a lot of owners scratching their head. Probably the best advantage a person has in his league is knowing how much a player should be dropped in the rankings because of a training camp injury.
Monday Panther WR Steve Smith went down with an apparent shoulder injury. Latest news on the story says the x-rays were negative. He will probably get an MRI, but that can take a while to get the results. Let’s try to break down what we do know.
There is a video of Smith’s reaction after the collision between CB Chris Gamble and Steve Smith take place. Video Steve Smith is know to have a hot temper, so I’m willing to bet him looking so frustrated has made this more of a big deal than it should be in the media’s eyes.
I could not get a picture of the actual hit itself. However, If he was hit directly on the shoulder pad, I would say it would most likely be a A/C sprain or mild shoulder separation. If it were a bad shoulder separation, I don’t think you can say the x-rays were negative. However, the medical/coaching staff could say that there were no fractures and the media spins it as a negative x-ray. If this is the case he should be ready by the 1st week of the season.
The trainer did not look to alarm after the hit, so I don’t think it was anything that required immediate attention, so we probably could have ruled out fracture just by the video. A direct impact would not cause a stress fracture, so rule that out.
Another thing he could have is a shoulder stinger or burner where the arm would go numb. However, Smith was not trying to pump his fist or shaking his arm in the post impact video. So, I don’t think it was numb.
If I can see the hit, we maybe able to rule out dislocation or more likely subluxation because his arm would have to be bend in a way to come out of the socket. However, the players usually initial reaction after the shoulder comes out of socket is to brace it with his other arm just like in a sling, which Smith doesn’t do. If he was hit directly to the shoulder where it wasn’t covered by padding, it can be a bad bone bruise.
So, by my view, I don’t think this will be anything too serious, but at the same time I think Steve Smith will be limited in the preseason as precaution. Owners may react by dropping Steve Smith in their rankings. If that is the case, I would consider taking S. Smith as a value pick in the mid 3rd round.
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