Time off, bad luck could have led to Riders' Achilles injuries, says sports doctor
Five Riders have suffered an Achilles injury in the month leading up to the return of the CFL.
Defensive lineman Tim Williams sustained his injury during training camp on July 23, this Achilles rupture comes after four other players suffered the injury during a workout session before camp began.
“I’ve never seen that many Achilles injuries ever and so to lose another one is really, really tough,” said head coach Craig Dickenson.
Dickenson called the phenomenon a “head scratcher,” but is attributing the increase in the injury to the time away.
“I think the layoff… that’s I think, that’s the X factor.”
Dr. Jordan Anderson, sport medicine physician at Prairie Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, agrees and said a big factor has to do with being away.
Despite working hard to stay in football shape over the break, Dr. Anderson said jumping back in to a season is a bit more than their bodies can handle.
“I think the stress that they’re putting through their bodies, and through their Achilles, is a little more than they have been able to prepare for,” he explained.
“I don’t think that’s anyone’s fault, I think that’s just the nature of losing a season.”
He said he believes the coaches, trainers and athletic therapists are doing everything right when it comes to training, drills and conditioning, but even with the season away, an event like this still requires a lot of bad luck.
“I think they’re doing a really good job at trying to get these guys ready for a season, and especially without a preseason, you have to push these guys to get ready,” Dr. Anderson said.
Dickenson is “knocking on wood” this was the final Achilles injury, but understands, unfortunately, injuries happen when players are being explosive.
Dr. Anderson said this is the first he’s heard from anyone in any sport of five Achilles injuries in such a short period of time.
“It’s something that we’ve all been following very closely and it’s unfortunate, but hopefully once the season gets started there’s fewer and fewer of these issues so, fingers crossed.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'The lost season': Winter comes to a close as Canada's warmest on record
The warmest winter on record could have far-reaching effects on everything from wildfire season to erosion, climatologists say, while offering a preview of what the season could resemble in the not-so-distant future unless steps are taken to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
NEW High thoughts: The habits of Canadian cannabis users are revealed in a new StatCan report
Statistics Canada has conducted a series of surveys to measure the impacts of legalized cannabis since the Cannabis Act took effect in 2018. The latest one, the 2023 National Cannabis Survey, sheds light on users' preferences and habits last year.
Freddie Mercury's home is on the market for first time since 1980 minus his 'exquisite clutter'
Freddie Mercury's sanctuary in London, where he lived the last decade of his life, is on sale for the first time in nearly half a century -- minus his "exquisite clutter."
NEW Where to watch the state funeral for former prime minister Brian Mulroney
A state funeral for former prime minister Brian Mulroney will be held in Montreal on March 23. CTV News will have live special coverage of his funeral service.
Trump says Jews who vote for Democrats 'hate Israel' and their religion
Former U.S. president Donald Trump on Monday charged that Jews who vote for Democrats 'hate Israel' and hate 'their religion,' igniting a firestorm of criticism from the White House and Jewish leaders.
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.