Now we know why Brunell kept dinking and dunking

Sport Talk 980 has reported that Brunell underwent major shoulder surgery. My question is did Gibbs know about this during the season? And if so why did he keep sending him out there?

Who knows.

Perhaps it was something they felt he could play through, or maybe it was something minor initially and it just got worse.

It's a tough injury to accurately diagnose.

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery (http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/orthopedicsurgery/labrumtear.html)

He had a torn labrum. ( spelling?) It's the same injury Brees had. If Gibbs knew about this and still kept sending him out there he needs to step down. I know it won't happen but this is just ridicules.

What a f*cked up season we had!! All of these injuries... Well, I for one and happy to hear about this. Makes me think that our poor playing was more related to injury than anything else.

He had a torn labrum. ( spelling?) It's the same injury Brees had. If Gibbs knew about this and still kept sending him out there he needs to step down. I know it won't happen but this is just ridicules.

I really don't know what to make of it all. On the one hand, if he hurt in Dallas then how did he have his two "best" games of the year the following two weeks against Houston and Jacksonville.

On the other hand, is this what Portis was talking about in his 980 interview last week when he said guys were denying they were hurt to Gibbs and were doing more damage to the team by going out there and playing (or something along those lines he said)

I like Brunell, but regardless I think it's time to cut the cord with that relationship.

I'm speechless.

Brees' injury was severe and a complete tear from the bone.

Before you jump all over the Skins keep in mind an injury like this is not easy to diagnose because of how deep in the shoulder it is. Read the medical link I provided above. Medicine is not an exact science like some may want to believe.

Here's a piece of that article:

Because this cartilage is deep in the shoulder, it is very difficult to make the diagnosis of a torn labrum upon physical examination. There are several tests that the physician can perform which may indicate a torn labrum, but these tests are not always accurate. The other problem is that labrum tears take different forms as described above, and certain tests will detect one kind of tear but not another. Some physicians feel very confident that they can make the diagnosis of a labral tear upon physical examination, but this is controversial. There are not many scientific studies that show that physical examination is reliable for making the diagnosis of a labral tear. As a result of this uncertainty, other studies can be done to confirm the diagnosis if it is suspected.

I'm sure he was in pain though. How would you not know you need some medical attention on something that requires 5 months of rehab?

I'm sure he was in pain though. How would you not know you need some medical attention on something that requires 5 months of rehab?

Pain tolerance differs depending on the individual. What hurts a lot to me might not bother you as much.

Think about it, a 36 year old QB on his last legs probably doesn't want to tell the team doctors that he's in a ton of pain if it means he could lose his job. Guys in this league play through pain and injury all the time, it's just par for the course.