Stephon Tuitt Injury: Just how bad is “leaving the light on”?
DE Stephon Tuitt had to leave the Browns game after two plays on Sunday. The speculation on the injury had him missing anywhere from a few games to the entire season. Some even felt he could be placed on IR with a designation to return.
However, the reality appears to be different than any of those rumors based on comments made by Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin during his Tuesday press conference:
I guess you guys know about Stephon Tuitt’s situation. Man, it’s really positive compared to what it could be. His injury to his bicep is not season-ending. He was evaluated yesterday, we’re optimistic there. His short-term availability is in question. We’ll go through the week and see what he looks like day to day and see if he’s functional. See if he has strength, see if it’s safe, and if it is we’ll leave the light on for him. That will be revealed to us as we get through the week.
There’s also the medical aspect of what Tuitt could be dealing with, based on the limited information we do have. First, Coach T was asked “Are you suggesting there’s a remote possibility that [Stephon] Tuitt can play this week?” He responded by simply saying “There is.”
Tuitt appears to be “day-to-day” and while he may be able to play on Sunday, that is probably a bit optimistic. The fact that it was even in the discussion is good news. The usual Tomlinism of “We’ll leave the light on” means, that if by some miracle he looks 100% better than today, he can play. But I would expect based on most bicep injuries, that he will not be practicing this week. That always is the determining factor for game time decisions.
In the short term the team will proceed with caution with Tuitt, but in the long term, this is really, really good news that it was not worse than what previously expected.
When we look at bicep strains, they are defined by their range of severity. A grade 1 strain is a minor overstretching or pulling of the biceps muscle or tendon. We saw this type of movement when Tuitt grabbed his arm the play.
This kind of strain is also referred to as a “proximal biceps muscle strain”, which involves no tearing of a muscle or tendon fibers. It also results in no loss of strength. Proximal is a way of saying “by the shoulder as the arm moves to the muscle”.
A grade 2 strain causes mild to moderate tearing of the biceps muscle and may result in some loss of strength. You may see the injured person favor that arm by not lifting it. Both grade 1 and grade 2 do not require surgery; only rest and caution to heal the area.
A grade 3 strain is a severe or complete rupture of the biceps muscle or tendon and may require a surgical repair, and is quite painful. (Source: AAOS.org)
With a grade 1 strain, it is rare the injured would wrap or need to do anything except give the area time to rest and heal for a few days. Maybe a week or two.
He is a healthy 24-year-old, and there appeared to be minimal contact with the injury. The fact that Tuitt does not appear to have a wrap or sling on his left arm could mean that his injury is more of the mild type which is great news for Steelers fans.
We can only assume Tuitt’s injury lies somewhere between Grade 1 and 2 strain. As a medical professional, if I were to guess how long the Steelers new $60 million man may be out, I would venture 2-3 weeks to make sure it is safe for him to return with no residual effects.
We hope for the former and only a potential one game off to heal.
