That's too bad. He was playing well before feeling soreness in his foot. The big decision comes on what do to with him this summer, although it may make it easier to trade him at the deadline, since hopefully the Blazers will have a player step up and prove that Outlaw isn't needed.
Or if the team feels it still wants him back, they can get him on the cheap again at his current salary. Though I wouldn't really have a problem earning $3-5 million a year.
As a podiatrist I knew that was case. It was the same with Martel. They tried to rush him back and I knew what the likely outcome would be. While I am not privy to Outlaws x-rays or no how bad the fracture is, Given what they have told us about the location its one of the harder fractures to heal in the foot. The fracture of the 5th metatarsal base is also known as a "Jones fracture" and it is a complicated fracture in that the bone breaks at the metaphyseal/diaphyseal junction. In short this an area of poor vascularity to the bone. Also making matters worse is that the peroneus brevis tendon inserts to the base of the 5th metatarsal and is an everter of the foot. What this means is that any premature walking, running on the foot will cause the fracture to break or not heal (this is called a non-union). So here is what I am sure they did. 1 screw inserted across the fracture and up the shaft of the bone. Expected him to be on crutches and non-weightbearing for 6-8 weeks in both a cast and eventually a removable boot. At some point, point, probably once the get the cast off they will implement the use of a bone stimulator. After 2 months he will be allowed to walk in the boot. At 3 months if all is perfect he may begin to gradually run, NOT jump. I would say, don't expect to be seeing Outlaw on the court for us again this season since once he is able to return he wont be in basketball shape nor will he be game ready (and by the time he would be able to return would be the playoffs). The good or bad side of all of this is that for Outlaw fans if you want him on the team next year you might be able to sign him on the cheap now since he hasn't shown much this year prior to the injury. For those that want him traded likely could get their wish since his deal is an expiring contract and he wont be coming in demanding playing time. Should be interesting.
Thanks for the scoop. Nice to have a podiatrist chime in! If this is the case, there's a pretty good chance we've seen Outlaw play his last game as a Blazer.
Well we will see how it goes. If I remember right, the team wasn't exactly happy with Outlaws rehab efforts the last time he got hurt and was out a while.
No worries. I did this back when Martel had his injury as well. I will always provide info on any foot related issue regarding our team and like I said before I am not 100% certain of what is being done care wise or able to see the injury 1st hand, but I at least want to be able to provide everyone here with some info that they will never hear from the team, the team trainer, coach or media since they want to keep this info in house. I just want to give people an idea how bad an injury might be and what you should expect as far as recovery times go. As far as seeing Outlaw again as a Blazer, I think you are right.
When was he 'out for a while'? He's played in 69, 67, 82, and 81 games the last four seasons. Prior to that, he was an end of the bench guy getting low minutes for a bad team.
I think there were stories about him not working hard when he had the ankle injury in 2006-7? But, if memory serves - the problem they had is that he did not know how to go about it - so hopefully, they know by now that Outlaw sometimes needs individual attention to get him to be where needs to be.
I wouldn't mind seeing freeland getting some burn. Can we bring him here? Isn't he currently under contract?
Great info . . . much appreciated. With Outlaw being a high flyer, I don't see him coming back this season. But Martell doesn't seem to have lost any of his hops (mentally and physically), so it sounds like an injury tath can go back to 100% and not a nagging injury. True? I hope the Blazer pull a Martell and offer an extension at 4-5 mil/yr. Did that need to be done before Oct 31st or can they extend a contract at any point in the season?
from what I understand he is expected to come over next season... when people here are speculating Travis will no longer be a Blazer. STOMP
Yes this is true. If treated appropriately and given the amount of time necessary to heal the injury, a full recovery should be expected. Given that his was a contract year for Travis I am sure that he will do whatever is needed to be fully healed by the time he is eligible to become a free agent and he himself wont jeopardize his future potential earnings by rushing back early from an injury.
One caveat to Blazer4life's excellent info: when fracturing that bone, it's not uncommon to also rupture the attached tendon (one may cause the other due to the tension involved), and depending on the severity, that can take up to two years to fully heal.
This is true and definitely much worse. In addition to the peroneus brevis tendon the lateral cord of the plantar aponeurosis also inserts into the base of the metatarsal. Most of the time these 5th metatarsal base fractures actually occur because of the sudden jerking or pulling of either the tendon or the aponeurosis 9such was the case with Outlaw when he stated he felt a pop). At that point 1 of 2 things either must give. The pull of the tendon or aponeurosis can be so strong that it forces the bone to crack (thus the fracture) or the bone is able to handle the pressure and the tendon rips off which is much, much worse. Re-attaching a tendon after an injury will always lead to a weaker tendon then the original healthy one. Literatures states that at the very least 1 grade of strength is lost in such attachments (hence the need for bracing to avoid re-ruptures).
Of course, I am really really bummed. I love watching the guy play. I don't think we'll trade him or let him go. Nate, Roy, and I think KP all really like the guy. I can't imagine they'd let him end his days as a Blazer because of an injury. This sucks.
I have no reason to say this other then a hunch, but I don't think we will see Nic or Travis for the rest of this season.
