Sure, just downplay the decision making of the most important person in the whole equation….THE PLAYER.
Never said it was ok…never said the docs are just pill dispensers…but you’re arguing whats ethical or not & that’s not what alot of these decision come down to…not really anyway. when it comes to a player getting back on the field, all the docs can really do is give the player options…& like us, its up to the player to accept or reject them…We out here usually go out for 2nd opinions before decisions are made…most of them? Nope….typically if there’s a less severe option available, they’ll take it in order to keep playing…especially if it’s during the season.
A few players have actually taken control of their own health by getting 2nd opinions after recieving a diagnosis of sorts from team docs ….trent williams did…and got roasted by fans & the coach…until the diagnosis of that crap on his head was revealed to actually be cancerous…..team docs told him it was nothing. Micheal Thomas got roasted by fans b/c he wouldnt jump back on the field until he was absolutely ready himself.
So i have no doubt that the Texans FO along with their medical staff weighed in on Sting’s lis franc after getting all the info from Sting & how he feels, and speaking to the the doctor on a professional level who performed his procedure. & that guy was able to give them intricate details of the severity of his injury..Obviously, all of the feedback they recieved back told them that there was a better than good chance that he could get back to playing at a high level & play there a good while before the degenerative effects begin to slow him.
People like to point to Schaub…completely different body type, athlete and situation here. Schaub was a 6-6 250 lb….sluggard, not known to be fleet of foot before the injury to begin with…on the wrong side of 30 at that and for practical purposes already in decline as a pro player.