FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Adrian Clayborn, who underwent knee surgery Nov. 29 but will play Saturday against Carolina, utilized stem-cell treatment to help return to the field faster than anticipated.
Clayborn suffered a meniscus tear and a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee. He had the initial surgical procedure in New York to repair the meniscus damage. The surgery included platelet rich plasma injections -- also a form of stem-cell treatment -- which involves spinning the patient's own blood to separate the platelets and injecting them into the injured area.