Doctors can mend broken bones. Surgeons can repair torn ligaments. What they can’t do is prevent an athlete from crawling around in his own head while he’s going through a prolonged injury-rehab process. That’s where the demons live.
Ask Troy Niklas. The Cardinals tight end has been through enough injury rehabs to know. This is only his fourth NFL season, and the former second-round pick has already undergone six surgical procedures. With every operation, the doubts creep in louder and last a little longer.
“Of course they do,” he said. “Your self-image takes a nose dive. You’re here to do one thing, and that’s to play football.