Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll says recently acquired running back Leon Washington will be ready for the start of training camp despite having a metal rod in his leg.
Carroll said Tuesday during Seattle's final minicamp before the preseason starts in late July that the team will be very careful in the early days of camp with Washington, a 2008 All-Pro with the New York Jets.
But Carroll says Washington is ahead of his recovery schedule from a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula in his right leg last October.
Many speculated about whether he'll be able to play again. The injury required a metal rod to be inserted into the tibia.
Washington says the rod is going to be there forever. He jokes that at least he can't break that leg again.
Should Washington be ready and close to 100%, he will be utilized on special teams and perhaps third down situations. Leon Washington could end up with a bigger role, but with Justin Forsett and Julius Jones ahead of him on the depth chart and an injury history to boot, upside expectations should be tempered.