Four-time Pro Bowl center Alex Mack was one of the best free-agent signings last offseason. He has helped the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive line round into form in front of reigning NFL MVP Matt Ryan. He’s also one of the top players at his position in the NFL.
So the Falcons surely need Mack to be at the top of his game against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI on Sunday evening. Unfortunately for Atlanta, Mack suffered a fracture in his left fibula in the NFC Championship Game two weeks ago.
The injury itself would normally sideline a player for up to two months. But according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter Mack will play with the injury on Sunday.
Talk about playing through pain in order to help your team hoist its franchise’s first ever Lombardi Trophy. No one can question Mack’s toughness ever again.
In talking about his former teammate, Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas didn’t seem too surprised that Mack is playing through such a serious injury.
‘He’s a warrior that has played through some terrible stuff,” Thomas said, via Cleveland.com. “This should be no problem.”
Atlanta will be relying on Mack to open holes for running backs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman against the top-scoring defense in the NFL from the regular season. Even at nowhere near 100 percent, Mack should play an important role in this one.