Theismann’s Career in Jeopardy--Doctors

ARLINGTON, Va. —  Washington Redskin quarterback Joe Theismann will have to undergo further surgery to repair a compound fracture of his right leg and medical specialists believe his 12-year National Football League career is over.

Theismann, 36, who was operated on shortly after being injured in Monday night’s game against the New York Giants, will undergo a second round of surgery Thursday, according to Dr. Charles Jackson, the Redskins’ team physician.

While the team continued to express optimism about Theismann’s eventual return, experts in bone fractures said it is doubtful with the type of injury he suffered that Theismann will ever play again.

Although other doctors have not seen the X-rays, they said television replays illustrated the injury’s severity.

“It’s possible that he can return, but my candid view is that it is unlikely,” said Dr. Robert Neviaser, deputy chief of orthopedic surgery at George Washington University Hospital.

“There is a strong possibility that this is career-ending. It’s going to be a long-hard row to hoe to rehabilitate that leg. He could surprise everybody and I hope that he does, but it will be difficult.”

Dr. Richard Wells, co-director of the sports medicine clinic at Georgetown University Hospital, agreed that even if the cast comes off as early as May, Theismann’s rehabilitation could keep him out of next season.

“It would take six to nine months to put weight on it, then another three months after that to get the leg back to normal,” Wells said. “It would be tough for a normal person, much less for a professional, scrambling quarterback.”