FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Grady Jarrett made the drive up to the Atlanta Falcons facility in Flowery Branch from his home in metro Atlanta last Oct. 30. A day earlier, the team's star defensive tackle injured his right knee early in a game against the Tennessee Titans.
Immediately after the injury, Jarrett left the game. But he was able to flex the knee and he thought it might only be a sprain. That feeling didn't change after the game. And even when he woke up the next morning, there was some stiffness, but still optimism.