Larry Fitzgerald has one more concussion test to pass; expects to play
By Josh Sanchez
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald still needs some time to recover before he is able to be cleared from his concussion, but he appears to be confident that he can play on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks and he has yet to have any setbacks.
The NFL takes concussions very seriously, but Fitzgerald plans on getting back out there on Sunday and playing at full strength.
“This is my first (concussion), uncharted territory for me,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s a serious issue, but I want to be out there and play. I will do everything I can to protect myself and my brain, but this is football, a tough sport played by tough men. It’s my job.”
Fitzgerald suffered his concussion on an onside kick recovery, which was exactly the play that he practiced on his first rep back on the field.
While Fitzgerald could have some resistance about going back on the hands team for very good reason, he had no problem taking the field and enjoys being a part of the special teams unit.
“It’s an honor to go and close the game out,” Fitzgerald said, via the team’s official website. “It’s like Mariano Rivera coming out on the mound. You’re out there to close it out. That’s what our job is.”
Since it was the first concussion of his career, Fitzgerald doesn’t appear to be in immediate danger of missing a lengthy period of time. That said, he understands the risks he will face when he returns to live action and he will treasure every moment he has on the field.
“But I’m like anybody else — I want to do my job and have a good time and play and win and play while I have the opportunity,” Fitzgerald said. “There is no telling how long I will be able to play this game, how long any of us can play this game or live life. I have the opportunity to do something I truly love and that’s how I think about it.
“I understand the ramifications and seen the studies and seen the guys who have dealt with issues. I am aware of all that.”
Arizona would obviously love to have their top wide receiver back on the field for the final two weeks of the season as they continue their playoff push, so you can bet that their fingers are crossed that Fitzgerald’s determination to play on Sunday will lead to him actually suiting up.