FIRST O-LINE CASUALTY - ICKY EKWONU UNDER THE KNIFE

Appendectomy’s require cutting into n removing the appendix, which is just off part of the colon.  So a small cut to the abdomen.  Sucks.  Depends if insides had damage/seepage if it burst.  Just providing info Hobs. (Yup..)

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Everything you said is perfectly correct, Josh. We just don't know how "serious" it was. However, ANY penetration into the abdominal cavity can be serious. Your CORE is your strength, especially in NFL football. Oh... there are three (3) small incisions through the abdominal wall with a laparoscopic procedure.

Oh thank Goodness!  I was worried until I saw "appendectomy".    I had my appendix removed in 2019, and I was back at work two days later.  Yes, it wasn't in the NFL, but it was all arthroscopic.   I had three tiny holes about the size of a knitting needle, one at my navel, one above my bladder area, and a third over to the the appendix itself.  I don't even have any visible scars from it, to be honest.

He might miss the season opener, "Just to be on the safe side", but he'll play without issues by at least week two.

Hmm... Well, we'll see. I've been through it too. Mine went bad though. Long story, but my hospital stay was 11 days. -- Anyway, I KNOW how much we depend on our CORE strength. A 325 lb. man playing NFL football is not the same as you or I. He should be back on his feet and exercising some by week one, but I doubt he will be able to take abdominal impacts that soon. Remember, there is little or no protection on the front side of the "pads" below the ribs. That whole area is literally unprotected. Walking, running, even some twisting, etc., is a LOT different from taking a leg or knee to the abdomen. In addition to the skin and muscles that have to "repair", there are internal sutures (dissolving) that need time to resolve. I have my fingers crossed. I sincerely hope he heals quickly, but I'm a little skeptical about week 1 or even week 2, really...   

On a separate note, I misspoke up there ^^^ in the OP.  I called the appendectomy procedure "arthroscopic" which is a misnomer. It is properly called "laparoscopic". There is (apparently) a difference between the two. (WHO KNEW..???)  Arthroscopic procedures are performed on the bones, joints, ligaments, etc. (skeletal procedures), while laparoscopic procedures are performed on the body cavity. I'm not at all certain about any 'procedural' differences, but someone I know reminded me to be "accurate", so I'm issuing a correction.!!  I try to get things right, but sometimes.....  Anyway, I apologize for the error.