Steelers right tackle Colon injured Achilles tendon (update) has 7 comments

Jun 29th 2010, 08:12 | FFN-Score: 3806 points

Steelers right tackle Willie Colon has injured his right Achilles' tendon while working out at the team's practice complex.

If the tendon is torn, Colon is likely to require surgery that would end his season. Steelers RapidReports, Brian Carson

Director of football operations Kevin Colbert said Colon was being evaluated by the team's medical staff. Colon left the team's practice building Monday on crutches.

Colon's injury could be a major setback to the Steelers' plans to put a greater emphasis on the run this season. They have little depth at tackle behind starters Max Starks and Colon.

Colon is the only Steelers player who was with Ben Roethlisberger on the night the quarterback was accused of sexually assaulting a Georgia college student. Roethlisberger was not charged, but drew a six-game suspension from the NFL.

UPDATE - 30 June 2010

OT Colon will muss season after surgery

Pittsburgh Steelers starting right tackle Willie Colon will undergo season-ending surgery on his right Achilles' tendon, his agent said, confirming what NFL.com first reported Monday.

Colon's agent, Joe Linta, said Tuesday that Dr. James Bradley will perform the surgery Wednesday. Linta called Colon's injury a "classic torn Achilles," with a recovery time of 9 to 12 months.

Colon, 27, is eligible to become a free agent after the 2010 season, and Linta said his client would be open to staying in Pittsburgh.

"Based on my conversation with Dr. Bradley, this is a routine Achilles surgery and will not impact Willie's future as a player," Linta said. "There is no reason he will not have a 100 percent recovery, and this shouldn't impact his ability to generate a contract. He'd have to pass a physical, but his recovery time will put him on schedule to do that."

The Steelers had free-agent tackle Flozell Adams in for a visit Tuesday and could sign him as a stopgap replacement for Colon in 2010. Adams made five Pro Bowls in 12 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, who released him this offseason.

Steelers rookie offensive tackle Chris Scott, a fifth-round draft pick, also will have surgery Wednesday, the team announced, to repair a right foot injury that occurred while he was training in Tennessee.