Taylor Made Recovery
With the 48th pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Seahawks selected Darrell Taylor, a sizable 6-4 267 pound defensive end out of Tennessee. The Seahawks actually traded up for this pick and have once again gone against the grain from recent draft trends of trading down for picks. This pick addressed a major area of concern after the Seahawks defense had only 28 total team sacks was the second lowest in the NFL, with only the tanking Dolphins registering fewer with 23 last year. With a deal looking less than likely for Jadaveon Clowney, Taylor will help fill that gap. However, Taylor also comes fresh off a surgery this year addressing his shin splints that he had been dealing with for years throughout his collegiate career.
Shin splints are a loosely used medical term to describe a repetitive stress injury to a region of the body that is unable to handle the increase in load that the body has placed on it. It is important to note that Taylors’ stress fracture likely met an additional set of criteria in order to be considered a surgical candidate. Typically, non-surgical, conservative treatment of shin splints can be highly effective and help return athletes to their prior level of activity. There are multiple diagnoses that surround shin splints, so it is important to have a good understanding of anatomy and also to take a thorough medical history to better understand risk factors that may go into contributing to a person’s pain if they have shin splints. In the attached image, Iwamoto et al. depicts a clear example of how radiographs can sometimes miss a stress fracture and how a bone scan can be more effective at diagnosing a stress fracture. When managing shin splints, body mechanics and minimizing the pain inducing stimulus are key in treatment. Cross training, slow progression of loading, strength training and diet can all come into play with managing stress fractures. It is important to consult a medical professional in managing stress fractures.
Although details of his exact surgery have been difficult to come by, it is known that he had a metal rod implanted into his leg. Taylor was since up and walking independently quite easily based on an Instagram video that he posted just 11 days after surgery in late January. Based on his weight-bearing status so soon after surgery and location of steri-strips over surgical incision sites, it is likely that he had an intramedullary (IM) nail surgically implanted within his leg. The purpose of an IM nail is to reinforce his tibia which allows him to bear weight immediately after surgery. Should he have had surgery to repair a full fracture of his leg, he would not likely be fully weight bearing so soon based on typical bone healing timelines. Needless to say, Taylor opted out of the NFL combine this year and instead focused on his recovery. He should be fully healthy prior to training camp.
Analysts are comparing Taylor to the once beloved Frank Clark who now plays for the Kansas City Chiefs. It is thought that he would be a similar project in that he would have a year or two to develop in a consistent starter role. His size, tenacity and raw talent fit well with Seahawks values, especially on the defensive side of the ball and with proper coaching, can get Taylor to elevate his game to the professional level nicely.