Jason Hatcher To Undergo Arthroscopic Knee Surgery; Miss 4 to 6 Weeks
By Matthew Laux
On a day when news about the Washington Redskins name dominates the headlines, there is other more pertinent information regarding newly acquired defensive end Jason Hatcher. Hatcher, a former Dallas Cowboy, was brought in on a four-year, $27.5 million dollar contract to help bolster the front half of the Redskins 3-4 defense.
Instead, he will be spending a large portion of training camp on the sideline having to watch his fellow teammates with swelling in his left knee. The injury occurred during this week’s mini camp and after an MRI yesterday Hatcher will be forced to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery to clean out cartilage. Then, Hatcher will be expected to miss four to six weeks and his estimated return date would around the start of training camp on July 23rd.
Hatcher broke the news via Twitter saying he’ll “be ready to kill quarterbacks when the season starts.” Despite the injury, it may be in team’s interest to allow the 31-year-old all the time he needs to recover from the knee problem. Older players’ bodies typically don’t respond as quickly as the rookies so it’s important Hatcher, who has recorded 15 sacks over the past two seasons, is able to provide a heavy inside pass rush as soon as the season start.