Theismann sees hope, long rehab for Joba

Theismann sees hope, long rehab for Joba

J SCOTT APPLEWHITE/AP

Ex-Redskins QB Joe Theismann, who had leg snapped by Lawrence Taylor, says Joba Chamberlain should temper comeback expectations.

TAMPA Few people know the pain Joba Chamberlain experienced last week when he suffered an open dislocation of his ankle while playing with his son at a recreation center.

Joe Theisma nn is one of them.

The former Redskins quarterback suffered one of the most gruesome injuries in sports history on Nov. 18, 1985, his right leg snapped in half courtesy of a Lawrence Taylor tackle. Although Theismanns compound fracture of the tibia and shattered fibula were different than the injury Chamberlain suffered, he can relate to the rough road the pitcher faces in the coming months.

If I was the Yankees, I would not expect him back before next years training camp, Theismann said. Its unrealistic for him to think that he could come back this year, but Im glad that he does. Go Joba! Thats the kind of attitude that hes going to have to have throughout the rehabilitation process.

Theismann was never able to come back, though at 35 at the time of his injury, his return was considered a long shot to begin with. With the majority of his career seemingly ahead of him, the 26-year-old Chamberlain is expected to return to the mound.

I dont thin k theres any question, Theismann said. It obviously depends on how his body reacts, but if you were to say in a year or year and a half that hell have the strength back that he needs for him to throw the ball the way he needs to, I think hell be able to do that.

Chamberlain was deep into his recovery from last summers Tommy John surgery, hoping to make a return to the majors by June. His latest injury will delay that timetable, but Theismann believes the extra time might turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Chamberlains arm.

Theismann, 62, remembers feeling unusual soreness in his arm as he tried to come back for the 1986 season, a feeling he believes came from throwing before he had regained full strength in his leg.

Until you get back to full strength with your legs, Theismann said, you dont want to be throwing much, because its going to affect your arm.

But to Theismann, the biggest factor in Chamberlains rehab is the fact that the pit cher believes he can return this season.

Do I think he can make it back this season? No, Theismann said. Do I love that he wants to try? Absolutely, 100. That attitude is going to be so critical for him.