MCL Injury Update:
After multiple opinions, Kyle Pitts and the medical experts he talked to have decided that knee surgery is needed for his MCL injury and his season is officially done. He will look to having surgery and then focus on recovery so that he can return next year healthy and ready for the 2023 NFL Season.
What was Kyle Pitts Injury?
Pitts was diagnosed with a torn MCL following this weekends game against the Bears.
What was the Mechanism of Injury?
As Kyle caught a pass he was hit by Bears safety Eddie Jackson low causing a hyperextension injury to the knee. He was hit on the outside of the knee causing the MCL to attenuate (stretch) and ultimately tear.
Is This Surgical?
Though not all MCL sprains and even tears are surgical it does seem from reports that Kyle Pitts injury may be severe enough to need surgery. He is currently getting additional information from a second opinion but as of now it looks as though his injury may be surgical.
How Long Will He Be Sidelined?
He was placed on IR so we know he is out a minimum of 4 weeks. If this is surgical then his season will be over and if not based on the fact that it is serious enough to even consider surgery he will most likely be out a minimum of 6 weeks if not longer.
What Does The MCL Do?
The MCL or Medial Collateral Ligament is important for stabilization of the knee. It is what is known as a static stabilizer and prevents the knee from allowing too much "opening" of the inner portion of the knee. When too much force is applied to the outside of the knee..known as valgus force it can stretch and eventually tear.
What Can We Expect From Kyle Pitts When He Returns?
Out data shows that after MCL injury players drop about 35-40% in production when they return and then slowly increase to a 30% drop from previous production in games 2 and 3. Eventually it levels out and they get back to their pre-injury levels.
First concern is for MCL and Capsular injury to the right knee. MRI will be needed to rule out internal ligament damage like ACL. Foot stuck in turf with a hyperextension mechanism during direct blow to the knee. #Injury https://t.co/MrU5fXrGQG
— Sports Doc Matt (@sportsdocmatt) November 20, 2022
What About Other Structures?
Though they haven't come out and specifically talked about other structures being injured on the knee, there is concern for meniscus and capsular damage as well as cartilage damage that can affect treatment and recovery timelines. Initially there was worry for the ACL as well however, without hearing anything regarding this following his MRI most likely he avoided that worst case scenario.
