Based on an Instagram post by former first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings, Sharrif Floyd, one wonders if his knee injury isn’t far more significant than has been reported to this point. Or at the least it appears he had a setback.
One thing we know for certain, based on what he wrote, is that Floyd is “hurting” and desperate for one more chance to fulfill his NFL dream.
“My ?? to the big guy #upabove we’ve been on this train ? for so long, you have blessed me in more why’s then I could’ve possibly imagine. For that I I’m truly thankful. You’ve been there when there was no one around, you’ve held me together when I thought I was at my edge, you’ve aloud me to play a game that kids dream about to this day. For that I continue to place my hands together ?? I come to you tonight that same kid in 2006, not moved by greed, not moved by negativity, not moved in bad behavior. I’m down on one knee praying my road doesn’t end here…. there are so many more lives to touch, so much more joy to spread. You’ve believed in me for to long to turn your back on me now. Don’t let me go out this way. All I ask is for a fighting chance… this game means so much to me and the foundation is still being laid one stone ? at a time. I’m hurting and I don’t know how to say it aloud, I am truly humbled in your grace. Grant me one last run, I promise I’ll lay my soul on the line.”
Originally the No. 23rd overall player selected in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Florida product hasn’t really lived up to expectations to this point.
He started just one game as a rookie but did manage to appear in all 16 that season. Then he missed games in each of his next three seasons, including all but one this past year. Interestingly, the Vikings kept him on the active roster until December when he was finally placed on IR. Floyd required surgery on his knee, and it sure seems like his recovery isn’t going as planned.
It’s particularly telling that head coach Mike Zimmer has already made it clear he’s not committing to Floyd in 2017 (more on that here).
Throughout his four-year career, Floyd has tallied 95 tackles and 9.5 sacks. Regardless of his status on the team or his health, Floyd’s $6.76 million salary is fully guaranteed because he remained on the roster at the start of the new league year. This means the Vikings at least have a splinter of hope he’ll become a productive player.
Though, after this Instagram post, we wonder if that’s going to be possible.