The Baltimore Ravens were so concerned about Max Crosby’s recovery from offseason knee surgery that the team pulled the plug on a pricey deal for the pass rusher. However, his surgeon believes Crosby is in the right place to recover.
Dr. Neal ElAttrache told ESPN that Crosby is “doing a great job rehabbing,” and the timing of his physical with the Ravens is unfortunate because the pass rusher’s prognosis will improve after surgery.
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ElAttrache’s full statement is below:
“Maxx Crosby is doing very well early in his rehab and recovery from surgery to treat a severe meniscal tear and related stress injuries to his kneecap and cartilage. His program is definitely on track… He feels very good and is much improved from where he was before surgery.
“We sincerely respect the work the Ravens staff did with Maxx on his contract physical. We also understand the challenges the staff faced in providing a future risk assessment based on an evaluation early in the rehab process. This is especially challenging when dealing with an elite player like Maxx given the level of commitment the team required to acquire him. The timing of this evaluation is unfortunate because as his rehab progresses and his return to performance becomes clear over the next several months, the apparent risk will diminish.
“Maxx is doing an excellent job with his rehab so far and his knee is responding well. We look forward to Maxx being on track to return to his elite level this season and back to his elite level over the next few seasons.”
According to The Athletic, NFL teams interested in trading Crosby, including the Ravens, have had team doctors meet with ElAttrache. According to reports, both Ravens doctors and independent doctors believe Crosby’s short-term prognosis is positive, but his long-term condition is a bigger question. This ultimately led to Baltimore backing out of the deal.
It’s hard to know what happens next for Crosby and the Raiders. The team is reportedly open to a variety of options, including retaining the pass rusher, despite spending extravagantly in free agency after Crosby’s salary seemed non-existent. Teams less worried about Crosby’s health may reopen trade talks with the Raiders, but Crosby’s market has diminished in the early days of free agency. Teams that would have otherwise given up a ton of draft picks strengthened their defensive line by signing players in free agency.
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Given Crosby’s immense talent, it wouldn’t be surprising if trade discussions continue. Whether a trade gets done could depend on how teams feel about Crosby’s condition after scrutinizing his physical, which Crosby’s surgeon said should improve with the pass rusher removed from surgery.
