Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
24 hours later, the Jon Beason medical update is in: Kimberly Jones of NFL Network reports that Beason has a sesamoid fracture and torn ligament in his right foot. The injury, which requires surgery, is expected to keep him out of action for approximately 12 weeks. He’ll undergo the procedure with Dr. Robert Anderson in North Carolina (foot/ankle specialist), the same doc who worked magic for Eli Manning earlier this Spring.
NYG LB Jon Beason has sesamoid fracture in right foot. Surgery required. Expected 12 week recovery, according to someone aware of diagnosis.
— Kim Jones (@KimJonesSports) June 13, 2014
Foot Health Facts enlightens us on exactly what a sesamoid bone is:
"A sesamoid is a bone embedded in a tendon. Sesamoids are found in several joints in the body. In the normal foot, the sesamoids are two pea-shaped bones located in the ball of the foot, beneath the big toe joint.Acting as a pulley for tendons, the sesamoids help the big toe move normally and provide leverage when the big toe “pushes off” during walking and running. The sesamoids also serve as a weight-bearing surface for the first metatarsal bone (the long bone connected to the big toe), absorbing the weight placed on the ball of the foot when walking, running, and jumping."
Looking at the bigger picture… this is relieving news to a degree. Beason could begin the year on the PUP list, but he shouldn’t miss too much time. Conditioning following recovery period will loom large. Per a Giants.com press release, Beason believes a week 1 return is within reach:
"“The prognosis is X amount of time and it (the Sept. 8 opener) is within that timeframe,” Beason said today. “I expect to be back (for that game). If not, I’ll be back as soon as I can. That’s really how you have to look at it. If it’s not 16 (games played), maybe it’s 15 or 14. Whatever it is, you want it to be that number as opposed to one."
Free agent acquisition Jameel McClain is expected to get the majority of reps at MLB, with rookie Devon Kennard also getting considerable opportunity to strut his stuff. Mark Herzlich will be third in line, as anticipated.