Doctor is astonished with Austin Collie's recovery from knee surgery

Two weeks after having surgery on his right knee to repair a ruptured patellar tendon, Indianapolis Colts’ wide receiver Austin Collie had his doctor astonished with how fast he was recovering. Two more weeks later, Collie’s father Scott was on his way to Los Angeles to meet with Austin and the doctor for a follow up appointment.

During the six hour drive from the Collie home in El Dorado Hills, California, to the City of Angels, Scott talked with BLUE COUGAR FOOTBALL about his son’s knee and future in the NFL.  

Everyone feared the worst when Austin Collie didn’t get up after making a six-yard catch against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 23, 2012. It was Collie’s first reception of the season. It would also be his last. The fourth year pro had a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee. The injury would require surgery and would keep Collie on the sidelines the rest of the season.

In some ways, that was a good thing. While the Collies weren’t happy to see their son suffer a season ending injury, they were able to look at the big picture.

Austin hadn’t played in the first two games of the season while he recovered from a concussion he sustained during the preseason. In 2010, his season was cut short by concussions. Being forced to sit out the rest of the 2012 season while his knee heals ensures that Austin’s head won’t be put in the path of danger, which allows more time for his mind to recover from the effects of the concussion.

The big picture also includes the 2013 football season. When training camps open next summer, Collie should be 100 percent ready to go. The time frame for recovery in this case is 7-9 months. Based on initial observations, Collie is expected to be closer to the front end of that window. 

Collie went to Los Angeles to have surgery from the same doctor who operated on the knees of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and wide receiver Wes Welker. After surgery, Collie stayed in Los Angeles for two weeks. Within just a few days, he was showing signs of rehabilitation. As the first two weeks came to a close, the doctor was astonished.

“He made the comments he had never seen anybody be as quick a healer as Austin is,” said Scott Collie. For Scott, that didn’t come as much of a surprise. That is the way his son has always been.

The big question for 2013 isn’t if Collie will be ready, but will the Colts still want him? His four-year rookie contract expires this offseason. The Colts just parted ways with franchise quarterback Peyton Manning after he missed the 2011 season with a neck injury. The Colts thought they could acquire an adequate replacement for Manning.

Will the Colts do something similar with Collie?

Putting his biases as a father aside, Scott Collie simply says, “It will be interesting,” to see what the Colts do this offseason. Regardless, Collie thinks his son “will have an opportunity to sign somewhere.”

Hmmm. If the Colts choose to part ways with Collie, could a reunion with Manning in Denver be worked out?

“As parents, we would love that,” says Collie with a chuckle. “We would like to think that Peyton has that much influence. Would like to think that Peyton has that much good will towards Austin that he would love to have Austin back.”

In the end, Collie understands that “what parents want isn’t always what they get,” and whether Manning and Collie could team up again is “impossible to answer.”

Whatever happens next year, it is safe to say that Brigham Young Cougars fans love to hear that the doctor is so positive about the early stages of Austin’s recovery, and they  will love to see Austin back on the field catching passes.

Editor’s note: Scott Collie recently founded Receiver Tech. For complete information about Receiver Tech and what it offers, click here to be directed to home page. Receiver Tech will hold a clinic November 17 in the Denver, Colorado, area. For more information on how to enroll, click here.

Receiver Tech focuses on two goals: Skills training and competition for wide receivers. While coaches have limited time to emphasize training so they can focus on game planning, Receiver Tech doesn’t. This allows time for players to receive elite training on the intricacies of playing the wide receiver position correctly.

Receiver Tech participants also have the opportunity to compete one-on-one and showcase their talents. Last year the top 25 receivers were given the opportunity to catch passes at the ESPN Elite 11 competition for quarterbacks.

Scott Collie’s techniques and training methods have resulted in his three sons playing college football at the FBS level, and one has been a successful receiver with the Indianapolis Colts.

Receiver Tech has been endorsed by Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid, NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young, and Super Bowl Champion Jim McMahon.

The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com