Da’Quan Bowers Returns To Practice Tomorrow
October 16th, 2012
Perhaps trying to come back to soon or maybe he’s an incredibly fast healer, defensive end Da’Quan Bowers is scheduled to resume practicing tomorrow, so Bucs coach Greg Schiano explained yesterday, by way of Stephen Holder of the Tampa Bay Times.
The Bucs defensive end ruptured his Achilles tendon during conditioning in May, but on Wednesday he’ll re-join his teammates in practice now that he’s permitted under guidelines governing players on the physically unable to perform list.
Players on PUP cannot practice during the first six weeks of the season. But after that, teams have 21 days in which to decide whether the player is ready to resume practicing. In this case, Bowers already has convinced the Bucs he’s there, coach Greg Schiano said.
“He’ll do some stuff the rest of this week and we’ll just observe and kind of go from there and see how he responds,” Schiano said.
Now generally, an Achilles injury takes a year to fully recover, if not more. Bowers was injured at One Buc Palace during a routine training workout — five months ago.
Granted, just because Bowers is practicing, limited practicing that is, doesn’t mean he will be reinstated to the 53-man roster. The Bucs have until the first week of November to make that decision.
As Joe has written before, the more the Bucs win, Joe believes the chances that Bowers will be reactivated increase; if the Bucs fall out of the playoff race, Bowers’ chances of playing this year decrease.
All things equal, Joe would much rather Bowers sit out this year. An Achilles injury is nothing to monkey around with. Rushing to play a handful of games when thinking of the big picture, well, it’s not worth it.
October 16th, 2012 at 8:09 am
As long as the Bucs D keeps playing like it is, I see no reason in jeopardizing Bowers’ recover or risking further injuries. Let him soft practice for the rest season with his line mates which will allow them to build some chemistry for next season.
October 16th, 2012 at 8:12 am
6-7 weeks ago I observed Mr Bowers during his rehab. It blew my mind what this guy was doing. I think he will be playing on a limited basis within the next couple weeks, maybe even this week. He’s a bad ass and I hope he’s chasing Drew around this week.
October 16th, 2012 at 8:13 am
If they rush Bowers back too soon and he blows something out, I’m finna be pissed off.
Hope he is 100%, he could be a big boost.
October 16th, 2012 at 8:14 am
Oh boy, a post from Miguel about Bowers having to do wind sprints can’t be far away.
October 16th, 2012 at 8:30 am
Agreed LB. We should all wait patiently for Miguel’s input regarding this situation. I’m sure he has concerns about the Guantlet that, even though is only for the preseason, he just despises.
Perhaps this time he will reply: “Goooooo Schian led Buuuucccccssssss!!!”
October 16th, 2012 at 8:57 am
Unless you’re a doctor that can intelligently and accurately speak of an achilles injury, more importantly, Bowers’ injury – then it would be unfair for us to say when or why he should or should not play. There are a lot of variables that play into his injury that we don’t know.
Nobody wants him or anyone else to put themselves at greater risk, but if you’ve got doctors, rehab specialists, trainers, etc that say he’s ok to play with no greater risk now vs next year – let him play. The Bucs absolutely want to protect their multi-million dollar investment in Bowers.
October 16th, 2012 at 9:10 am
Why not rush him back? Seriously… what are the odds of EVERY SINGLE DOMINIK PICK in his first THREE YEARS being a complete bust?
October 16th, 2012 at 9:15 am
@bucfanjeff,
IDK, the “smart” decision would be to wait until next year for him.
This could be on the same line as the Washington Nationals shutting down Stephen Strasburg with an innings limit. Look where they ended up.
October 16th, 2012 at 9:41 am
if the doctors say theres just as much likelyhood to re injur it now as a year from now, then why wait to make the fans feel like your being safe? thats dumb.
October 16th, 2012 at 9:44 am
I feel like this…if he is ready to come back…bring him back. Don’t sit him because we are “afraid” he might be reinjured.
I can see keeping him inactive for a couple to a few weeks and easing him into play, but just outright benching him?
We’re not talking about an established great player here…we’re talking about a player who has not shown his full potential yet….he needs all the playing time he can get.
October 16th, 2012 at 9:50 am
@steveK, I would agree with you if there were a much greater risk to re-injure himself. That’s what we don’t know. At some point, the risk factor becomes negligible. That risk factor is based on unknowns for us, knowns for the doctors. If they say there is no greater risk between now or next year, then we have to trust them or get new doctors. Apparently Bowers is progressing well thus far, the next step is to gradually test him in mini-practice sessions. I imagine they will gradually give him time in practice to test out the achilles and add to his practice load. Any setbacks and they probably shut him down.
I’m fine with how they are handling it…we all want him healthy. If that means next year, that’s ok too. In the end, that very well may be the smartest choice. But only Bowers and the doctors can make that call.
October 16th, 2012 at 9:55 am
That said though, if he blows out his achilles “testing” it in practice – then somebody was outright lying about progress, Bowers or doctor.
October 16th, 2012 at 10:10 am
@lightningbuc & bucsfan237
I was thinking the same thing where is Miguel with his knock on the gauntlet and asking for schianos firing and the hiring of chip Kelly at all costs. Lets what to form our own opinions until Miguel tells is what he thinks we should think.
October 16th, 2012 at 10:11 am
The previous posts are right about El Idiotico. He is sure to comment about the 16×100 wind sprints, the gauntlet and whatever nonsense he loves to spew about our head coach and his methods. I say let Bowers play if the doctors/trainers/rehab staff deems he is ready. I agree if the Bucs are still alive for the division and/or playoffs, his return is more likely. Having his fresh legs and ability to disrupt and maybe draw double teams will only make our defense better. Our defense is starting to gel and I look forward to seeing our team improve in the coming weeks. With a constistent offensive effort and production, our defense will be in a position to really get after opposing quarterbacks when they must pass and become one dimentional. Go Bucs!
October 16th, 2012 at 10:14 am
The rules regarding PUP require that he comes back after after the sixth game and the team be given 3 weeks to decide to put him on the active roster on place him on permanent IR.
So there is no rush to bring him back. The outcome of the next 3 games along with his demonstration of his ability to play will be the determinants of whether he is made active.
This conversation makes more sense 3 weeks from now!
October 16th, 2012 at 10:27 am
I can’t wait to see Bowers, Bennett, McCoy going full force after the QB.
October 16th, 2012 at 10:37 am
“Nobody wants him or anyone else to put themselves at greater risk, but if you’ve got doctors, rehab specialists, trainers, etc that say he’s ok to play with no greater risk now vs next year – let him play. The Bucs absolutely want to protect their multi-million dollar investment in Bowers.”
A)There is no doctor, rehab specialist or trainer that will sign a document clearing him to play. They would be professionally and financially held responsible.
It all comes down to banksters, will they be able to construct an insurance type derivative to financially cover the Bucs and Bowers. The Buc’s having to be covered for financial loss and liability. Bowers, his agent, lawyers and management covered financially.
Greg Schiano and other coaches will need to be covered personally.
My experience with lawyers would suggest that no matter how much work goes into this financial instrument, the lawyers will screw it up.
B)The dreaded and unnecessary 110X16 gauntlets which I’ve explained over and over ad nauseum keep biting them in the ass week after week. I said it before training camp, during preseason and during the season.
Why doesn’t someone in the media simply ask the Little General if he is willing to put an exemption into the torture tests to allow injured players a pass. Put him on the spot.
Doe anyone know a single player who was signed, sprinted and actually played during this season who didn’t run the gauntlets weeks before? We’re talking about signing players off the streets to fill gaps in the depth chart. After the gauntlets the players disappear or are relegated to the practice squad to recover.
October 16th, 2012 at 11:12 am
Mig you started off good and then fell back to your same sorry over played comments.I’ll give you an F+ for trying so hard .
October 16th, 2012 at 11:17 am
Miguel:
Because there is ONLY 1 person on the planet that A) Still wants Chip Kelly and B) Remotely cares about the pre-season conditioning tests… even Winslow has moved on by now dude.
October 16th, 2012 at 2:23 pm
i agree 100% with bucfanjeff, if the doctors say he can play then let him play. has anybody on this site dealt with a torn Achilles tendon? i dont know the first thing about them but factor in that Bowers and Suggs get the highest of medical care that we do not. both guys are progressing faster than expected. other player are doing the same with other injuries just look at Adrian Peterson and Jamaal Charles. just sayin playing on the side of caution is fine but if hes cleared then let him rejoin his team on the field. BUC IT IM OUT!!!!!!!!!!
October 16th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
Doctors and trainers cannot and will not be held responsible for any injury to Bowers. People rush back too early and get re-injured all the time. Injuries happen in football, and there is absolutely no way to prove such an accusation. You cannot sue every time you get hurt in the NFL. It doesn’t work that way. The only exception would be related to concussions, but even that is highly unlikely the players will ever see a cent of that money.
As for Bowers, I don’t particularly think he should play, but I’m no doctor. I’m not going to pretend to be one, so I’ll let the real ones do their job and trust their judgement. I feel confident they will be very cautious.
October 16th, 2012 at 2:39 pm
“Doe anyone know a single player who was signed, sprinted and actually played during this season who didn’t run the gauntlets weeks before? We’re talking about signing players off the streets to fill gaps in the depth chart. After the gauntlets the players disappear or are relegated to the practice squad to recover.”
———-
(can’t believe I’m doing this). Do you know anyone across the league that has signed someone off the streets and that player is getting playing time? I could list Roscoe Parrish, but I’m sure thats not good enough for you. Rarely in the NFL does someone off the streets play. They were on the streets for a reason, not to mention that there’s this thing called a playbook
October 16th, 2012 at 2:41 pm
“Because there is ONLY 1 person on the planet that A) Still wants Chip Kelly and B) Remotely cares about the pre-season conditioning tests… even Winslow has moved on by now dude.”
A) You’re right, Oregon didn’t win this week so Kelly’s whole career is a travesty and Schiano is God!
B) If they were indeed only “pre-season conditioning tests” I would be moving on but that is not the truth now, is it?
October 16th, 2012 at 2:41 pm
“Doe anyone know a single player who was signed, sprinted and actually played during this season who didn’t run the gauntlets weeks before? We’re talking about signing players off the streets to fill gaps in the depth chart. After the gauntlets the players disappear or are relegated to the practice squad to recover.”
———-
(can’t believe I’m doing this). Do you know anyone across the league that has signed someone off the streets and that player is getting playing time? I could list Roscoe Parrish, but I’m sure thats not good enough for you. Rarely in the NFL does someone off the streets play. They were on the streets for a reason, not to mention that there’s this thing called a playbook that players tend to need to learn before they play on the team. We aren’t running the Oregon spread offense here, but then again, I bet you think their offense is very complex because Chip Kelly runs it.
October 16th, 2012 at 5:06 pm
in 1981 I was 16 (crap I am old) and somebody had crashed into from behind while snow skiing. I had a dislocated clavicle from the incident. I was back playing football,and practicing martial arts well before anybody including the doctors thought I could resume. my point is that the human body can be a wondrous thing some times!
October 16th, 2012 at 5:20 pm
Young players heal a heck of a lot faster than the older players. Also, some people just heal faster than others period. They are not going to rush him back unless they know he is ready to go. I would love to see him back this year.
October 16th, 2012 at 5:28 pm
Thanks Hawaiian, I believe you are correct with Roscoe Parrish. You are the only one who could answer that. Gold star for you.
Oregon’s offense is certainly productive. I didn’t quite understand what you were getting at though.
October 16th, 2012 at 5:50 pm
Oregon’s offense is not an NFL offense, so it is much more simplistic. They win by spreading teams out, which takes advantage of their superior speed. That doesn’t work in the NFL, but my point is that an NFL offense and/or defense can’t be learned quickly, especially if it is a different system than what they are familiar with.