Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 29, 1994 TAG: 9412290105
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: GREEN BAY, WIS. LENGTH: Medium
The Green Bay Packers spent their preseason learning how to play without injury-prone Pro Bowl receiver Sterling Sharpe.
Now they will have to use that knowledge in the playoffs - and maybe beyond.
Sharpe has a neck abnormality that will require surgery and could end his career, team physician Patrick McKenzie announced Wednesday.
Sharpe sustained ``stinger'' nerve injuries in each of the past two games, sinking to the turf in excruciating pain with numbness and then tingling in his limbs.
Trainer Pepper Burris said the injuries resulted from unusual looseness between the top two vertebrae in Sharpe's neck. The condition became known on Dec. 18, when Sharpe's head snapped back while he was blocking Atlanta safety Brad Edwards.
Sharpe must undergo surgery to fuse the two vertebrae, McKenzie said. It will take eight months for Sharpe to recover from the procedure, which has yet to be scheduled.
After the recovery period, the team and Sharpe will decide whether he should play again, McKenzie and Packers coach Mike Holmgren said.
``Certainly any cervical spine injury is career-threatening,'' said McKenzie, who added that he was unaware of any other NFL player who has had surgery on the first and second cervical vertebrae.
McKenzie said Sharpe needs to have the surgery even if he chooses never to play again.
``There could be some long-term ramifications of not having surgery that we don't think are smart to live with,'' McKenzie said.
Despite the magnitude of the diagnosis, Sharpe, who recovered from off-season toe surgery and tight hamstrings to catch a club record 18 touchdown passes, was his usual jovial self in the locker room before practice.
As is his habit, however, he refused to talk to reporters.
``I don't have anything to say,'' he shrugged.
Sharpe's loss is a big blow to the Packers going into Saturday's playoff game against Detroit at Lambeau Field. He has 94 catches this season for 1,119 yards.
``It means we have some juggling to do,'' Holmgren said. ``We all want him to get healthy, then deal with whatever happens after that.''
Several players spoke of their concern for Sharpe, but quarterback Brett Favre said the Packers were trying to focus on the Lions.
``We're not happy about it, don't get me wrong. But what can we do?'' Favre said. ``We play on Saturday. We can't sit here and worry about what are we going to do since Sterling's gone. We can't fold our tent before Saturday.
``I still think we can move the ball and score touchdowns. We've proven we can,'' added Favre, who threw for a team-record 33 touchdowns this season.
The Packers made a point to spread the ball around this season, and that was facilitated by Sharpe's absence during the exhibition season as he recovered from toe surgery.
In seven NFL seasons, Sharpe has 595 receptions for 8,134 yards and 65 touchdowns. He is a five-time Pro Bowl selection.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB