Most optimistic prognosis suggests return in 2 weeks

Wednesday, September 03, 2003

By Ed Bouchette, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

The bullet Dr. James Bradley removed from Joey Porter's thigh Monday night was not a small one, the linebacker's agent said.

	Linebacker Joey Porter (Matt Freed, Post-Gazette)

Although Jeff Sperbeck was not sure of the caliber, "it was bigger than they thought."

Despite the size, the bullet apparently caused less damage to Porter's buttocks and thigh than doctors first believed because Steelers Coach Bill Cowher yesterday revealed an admittedly more optimistic prognosis.

"It can be anywhere from two weeks to him back playing or up to six to eight weeks," Cowher said.

Porter is doing so well that he likely will visit his teammates at practice this week and may even join them on the Heinz Field sideline Sunday when they open the season against Baltimore.

Even his agent does not believe he can return to the field in two weeks, but the fact doctors gave Cowher that kind of range was welcome news at the club's UPMC South Side training facility. Porter was shot indiscriminately when he and a large group of people left a downtown Denver bar early Sunday morning at closing time. He had watched his alma mater Colorado State play Colorado at Denver's Invesco Field Saturday night with Steelers linebacker Clark Haggans.

Sperbeck said it is more likely to be three or four weeks before Porter will play. It's possible Porter's first game might come in Denver, where the Steelers play Oct. 12.

"It is all involved with rehab," Cowher said. "I think a lot of it again is based on how we get through this, infection free. A lot of things can pop up. I don't have a great history of dealing with an injury like this to refer to. But his health is first and foremost. We have to make sure that we do everything according to the book."

Cowher cited legal and privacy reasons for not giving more details on the bullet or its removal. The bullet was returned to investigators in Colorado.

"I talked to him and had a chance to see him[Monday] night," Cowher said. "I think right now we are just trying to concentrate on making sure he comes back healthy. There are so many things that have taken place, and he has not had a lot of sleep. It seems that every time he turns around, there is another test being taken, and he was traveling."

Porter flew from Denver to Pittsburgh Monday, and Bradley removed the bullet that night. He was to be released from St. Margaret Memorial Hospital near Aspinwall either last night or this morning.

"It has really been kind of a rush the last two or three days for him," Cowher said. "Our conversations have been short. They have been positive and optimistic about getting back. He will be back, but at what point, right now it is way too early to speculate. I think it would be unfair for anyone to try to do that right now."

Cowher said the decision to remove the bullet was made for medical reasons and not to help the criminal investigation in Denver. One man was killed and five wounded in the attack that occurred in a fenced-in parking lot near the bar. Denver police believe none of the wounded knew each other.

Porter has talked to investigators, Cowher said.

Again yesterday, Cowher found no fault in anything Porter did. He said star athletes cannot live sheltered lives and should be able to pursue normal activities.

"I have no disappointment in the decision that Joey made. I certainly would not ask anyone to live their life in a shell and be afraid to do things. You just have to be aware that when you are in high-profile situations, that there are people, unfortunately, in our society that will try to exploit that.

"You see that not only in talking about what happened with Joey, but when you look at all the situations that have come up with high-profile players, and some of the situations that they put themselves into."

Cowher talked to his team Monday about trying to avoid problems when they go out.

"I think it is just an awareness that they have to have, a responsibility that they have to be ready to accept and recognize that you are accountable. As I said to them, the one thing that you have to be aware of is that the longer you stay out at night, the more risk you put yourself into in terms of things happening. People's courage becomes greater as the night goes on. That is the truth.

"You have to be very, very careful where you are, who you are with, and what kind of situation you put yourself into, particularly as the night grows older. I think if you understand that, and just use good judgment and just try to be very thoughtful about where you are and when you're there, you can still live a somewhat normal life based on who you are."

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