October 27, 2012; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back Marcus Lattimore (21) is carted off the field after being injured against the Tennessee Volunteers in the first half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-US PRESSWIRE
A few weeks ago I published an article titled, “Where do you draft Marcus Lattimore?”. After today’s horrific injury, I think the question should turn to “Will Marcus Lattimore ever play football again?”.
A Tennessee defender dove helmet-first into the knee of the star running back. Lattimore then tumbled as his lower leg looked almost separated from the rest of his body as he landed horribly in a heap. This injury is one of the worst knee injuries football has seen and it is awful that it happened to someone who has already been through something almost as dreadful last season when he tore his ACL.
Lattimore had been improving and coming back stronger every week from the injury last year, only to suffer this injury which couldn’t even be described as a setback to his football career, it has a better chance of being the end.
I do not mean that as a doubt to Lattimore’s drive or desire to come back. However, after suffering two of the most severe knee injuries I’ve ever seen in back o back seasons, I think Lattimore should take at least a year off and evaluate whether or not he should try and come back.
Lattimore is a great kid and is young with his whole life ahead of him. I feel like it is inappropriate to write about such things like his draft stock or projection at this point. I think everyone’s thoughts should be with him and his family as they look to rebound from this horrible injury.
Best of luck, Marcus.