A foot injury has cut short the season of NFL ironman Frank Gore, but the veteran running back isn’t planning on letting the issue end his career.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Gore does not need surgery to heal and is hoping to return to the NFL in 2019.
Doctors determined that Dolphins’ RB Frank Gore does not need foot surgery, he is expected to recover in a few weeks, and Gore wants to return next season for his 15th NFL year, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 21, 2018
Prior to the injury, Gore had played 126 consecutive games. Throughout his 14-year NFL career, he’ll have only missed 14 regular-season contests of the 224 possible when the 2018 campaign is over.
Two parts of his consistent availability are remarkable.
First, running backs tend not to enjoy a career this long. Gore has reached 35 years old and is still an important back. Second, he’s collected the fourth-most touches (3,837) in NFL history. He’s not a situational player.
Gore is only signed with the Miami Dolphins through the end of this season. But after averaging five yards per touch this year, the veteran has proved he’s still worth a contract and a regular role.