Vikings’ No. 1 draft choice Chad Greenway injured his left knee on August 8 in a pre-season game against the Oakland Raiders and shortly thereafter it was announced Greenway wouldn’t play until next year. He has been rehabilitating the knee this fall and said recently he probably could play before the season is over but won’t.
“I am quite a ways ahead (of schedule on rehab). …It’s gone very well (the last three months),” Greenway said. “Technically, I could push harder and get back. But there’s no point in pushing it because when you start pushing it you put more stress on the patella and you get tendonitis and stuff. …I will be 100% by mini-camps (next spring) and I will certainly be looking to be 100% within the next month and a half, two months.”
The rookie linebacker from Iowa, the No. 17 pick in the draft earlier this year, is working hard to regain his explosiveness and lateral movement. He works on strengthening his legs and balance.
Greenway injured his right knee in the spring of 2002 in Iowa City and had a major rehabilitation process. He recovered to play in the fall and during his Iowa career became an All-America linebacker.
In addition to participating in practice next spring, Greenway is looking forward to golf and perhaps playing every day. He has a 10 handicap. “It’s not that great but it’s good for me,” he said.