Shortly after safety Darren Sharper signed with the New Orleans Saints, it was reported that he had microfracture surgery on his knee during the offseason. But while the word “microfracture” sounds ominous, it might not be as bad as it sounds.
Saints coach Sean Payton confirmed at Saturday’s minicamp practice what Mike Florio reported on a recent PFTV segment: It wasn’t a full-blown microfracture procedure. And the Saints expect Sharper to be ready to go by training camp.
“I think from all the feedback we have gotten and in staying in touch with the doctors, it’s probably closer to somewhere in the middle” between a microfracture surgery and arthroscopic surgery, Payton said.
Payton said he’s not counting on Sharper being a full participant in minicamps, but that he does think Sharper will be ready to go by training camp.
“He was in town this past week after he signed, rehabbing and working out, and he’ll continue to do that and get himself ready,” Payton said. “I think a realistic framework of when we’d expect him to be out practicing would be that training camp date as opposed to the minicamps.”
Sharper, who will turn 35 during the 2010 season, has generally stayed healthy throughout his NFL career. He missed two games in 2009.
