Terrance Turner enjoyed a rookie season of 83 catches, 867 yards, and 13 TD (photo by Dave Erwin)

It was the last game of the season and the Rush was in Cleveland to close out their season. Rookie wide receiver Terrance Turner walked onto the field in the second half as a member of the special teams unit.  While facing the kickoff, Turners knee buckled and at that moment he knew something was off.

“I knew something wasn’t right. I heard something and I felt my knee buckle and twist.”

Turner was taken for an MRI where he says he replayed the moment over and over trying to guess what the injury might be. His mind was racing as he awaited the results. He would later find out it was an ACL tear.

However, Terrance is no stranger to this moment as he was just a freshman at Indiana University when he suffered an ACL tear in his other knee.  He was injured in a game against Iowa when he was blocking and got trampled on, causing his knee to buckle. This time around, the Indiana alum is more confident going into surgery (August 31) and is ready to take on rehab.

“The first time it happened I was nervous, but this time I’ve already been through it and I know what to expect so I’m not worried going into it.”

While he says his knee feels good and he feels no pain pre-surgery, he knows rehab will be the most difficult part.  The rehab process could be anywhere from 6-8 months, maybe more, maybe less.

It consists of what Terrance mentions as “starting from scratch”, getting your leg back to where you can walk again and getting your motion, strength, and flexibility back.  The pain he experienced from his rehab back in 2007 lasted about 4-5 months after the surgery. However, the 120-day déjà vu he’ll begin experiencing September 1 doesn’t discourage or worry him regarding his football future. He knows it’s up to him to put in the work behind the doors of the rehab center where no one outside of the training staff can see the grind he’ll put in.

“My other knee feels good, it feels like I never had surgery on it. When I first came back, I was a little cautious with it, but I was reassured that I would be all right. It actually got stronger after the surgery.”

As his surgery date nears, he says the support he has received from his teammates and coaches has been positive, which helps him in knowing that the long process will be supplemented by loads of encouragement.

“I’ll be there in his room right after surgery,” said head coach Bob McMillen. “I’ve had three (ACL) tears myself as a player and it means a lot for there to be support the minute you wake up from surgery.”