The potential return of Pittsburgh’s not-so-secret weapon: Joe Haden
We are getting back into the phase of things where we can start having a Joe Haden discussion.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin cut the chase during his Tuesday afternoon press conference, addressing Joe Haden’s situation to the media present within moments of taking the podium.
He’s working hard and has done some good things. He will be on the practice field in some form or fashion this week. The amount he’s on the practice field will be determined in what he does when he gets out there. Obviously, his availability will be determined when he gets out there and the quality of it. That’s something that bears watching day-to-day. Joe has worked extremely hard. It was probably one of the most rewarding images I saw in that locker room Sunday night after the game – Joe Haden in his AFC North Champion hat and t-shirt. He was excited about it and rightfully so. Hopefully, we will get him back in the land of the competing so that he can be back in the fold with us. Only if he’s ready and it’s appropriate.
The team is hopeful for the return of the former Browns cornerback soon, as a huge “all or nothing” game with the New England Patriots hangs in the balance this Sunday. That game will likely determine home field advantage throughout the playoffs for one of the two AFC teams, and Joe Haden may be a critical component to slowing down and/or stopping a Patriots offense led by Tom Brady.
Haden has added expertise to the Steelers secondary since he was acquired before the start of the season. So much so that you never quite know what you have until it’s gone. (Isn’t that how the saying goes?)
Haden’s ability to be effective in man-to-man coverage, unlike his fill-ins, has been sorely missed. To make up for this deficiency, the offense has had to put up epic numbers. Since exiting the November 12th game against the Indianapolis Colts with a fractured his upper fibula, the Steelers have had a less than stellar pass defense. They have given up big play after big play, which has made Steelers Nation anxious for Week 15’s deciding game as well as a run in the playoffs with a potential Super Bowl appearance at stake.
The narrative is that the Steelers must play man-to-man coverage against New England’s offense or risk being taken to task again by a team which has been their nemesis over the last several seasons. Without man coverage, on paper, the Steelers could be exposed. With it, truthfully, they still could be burned by Brady, who is without a doubt a first ballot Hall of Famer in his own right. However, Haden could be the difference between life or death for the Steelers, who many feel must win Sunday’s game in order to have a chance to beat the Patriots should the two teams meet once again in the playoffs.
As of now, that game would be the AFC Championship, with the Steelers and Patriots currently ranked first and second in the conference. With a loss, New England would have the upper hand via tiebreaker on Pittsburgh, meaning the Steelers would once again have to travel to Foxboro: a place where any team in the NFL has difficulty winning, let alone the black and gold’s recent woes.
It has been a month nearly to the day, four weeks, that Haden has been out. As reported here soon after his injury against the Colts, due to the nature of the fracture, and the fact that it was not a “broken leg” as some media outlets reported, the corner could be back in action this week.
A fracture is tricky because of the different types, and many ways a fibula can be broken. Healing time is directly related to the type and severity of the fracture sustained, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. While most bones take at least six weeks to heal, well-conditioned patients have been known to heal in as little as four weeks, and can even start their rehab or retraining process within four weeks.
It appears as if that is where Joe Haden is. Isolated fibula fractures, meaning the ankle joint was unaffected, can be treated with crutches for a few days and then simple protection. Once the pain has lessened, patients begin rehabilitation, to resume mobility exercises, strengthening and walking. Because only a small amount of body weight is transmitted through the fibula, many fibula fractures can be treated non-surgically.
So what can we expect from Haden on the practice field? What might be the anticipated date of his return?
From an outside perspective on this type of injury, and based on the mobility we have seen from him first hand (walking without aid, walking up steps with luggage, and now heading back to the practice field) the best case scenario, if he shows at practice that his mobility did not wane in his time off, we could see Joe on the field this Sunday against the Patriots.
The more likely, and the more probable scenario would be bringing him back on Christmas Day against the Houston Texans. Rushing Joe back too soon could have playoff implications if he is not fully ready, and with the Steelers already clinching a playoff berth from their win against the Ravens on Sunday night, I would expect the medical staff, trainers and coaches to take every precaution on his recovery and ability to start in a game.
Yet, the Steelers are so close to home field advantage, and if they feel Haden is the much of a difference maker, they may change course this very once and attempt to get him into Sunday’s lineup.
As all of us would love to see Joe back on the field sooner rather than later. Again, based on the outcome of his practice this week, that could be possible. surprising, but possible.
Regardless, we should expect a big Christmas present of having Haden back on December 25th at the very least.
