There is a definite reason that a player that was early on projected as a late 2nd / early 3rd round pick drops to UDFA status. So why did it probably happen to Joe Mathis? Because after a great first half of the 2016 season, he missed the second half of the season to a foot injury which required surgery. His injury was not reported except as a foot injury that required surgery. As it turns out, it appears that he has sustained a severe Grade III complete turf toe disruption. Most of these are repaired simply by soft tissue repair of the involved capsular structures. Although it appears that his reconstruction included the use of 2 screws, which indicates an arthrodesis (fusion) of the joint (a 6-16 week return to play). This is a procedure that is usually reserved as a salvage procedure only to be used in the worst cases. It implies that there is total instability of the joint, serious damage to the cartilage of the joint and/or severe pain in the joint from even walking.......many times from the chronic rubbing arthritic condition of the weak joint. Whatever the indication for such an operation, the joint and mobility will be likely permanently affected............i.e., push off, acceleration, stopping, jumping and cutting., We will not see exactly how much of player we have now compared to the player he was preinjury............but it is unlikely to be the same...........and 10-15% of those undergoing this procedure will continue to experience permanent debilitating pain.
Turf toe has put an end to many an NFL player. Here are just of few from a 5 year old article.........and none from what I can remember ever underwent fusion during their playing career.:
What is Turf Toe? 12 NFL Greats Who Have Been Grounded by Turf Toe
By Albert Costill
Posted on January 6, 2012