Lions’ Hameister-ries has sixth operation on his knee
Surgery on offensive lineman’s much-scarred knee will only need 10 days recovery
The knee procedure performed Tuesday on easily the most scarred veteran on the B.C. Lions is no more complicated than a dental visit to the hygienist, as general manager Wally Buono tried to explain.
It doesn’t change the fact Jon Hameister-Ries is easily the most determined offensive lineman on the CFL team. Hameister-Ries underwent scheduled arthroscopic surgery on his right knee performed by club orthopedic surgeon Dr. Bob McCormack.
And though Buono said the non-invasive procedure left him no doubt his starting left guard would be ready for training camp, it’s the sixth time he’s had the same knee repaired.
The 29-year-old, who has played just 38 games in six years, also hasn’t been cleared from off-season back surgery.
Yet the Lions have a free-agent contract ready for a player who has also battled back spasms, a torn rotator cuff and a reattached tricep in his career, and don’t think they’ll need their backup options to get Hameister-Ries through a season either. Just pass the Tylenol 3s.
“(Surgery) will set him back 10 days,” Buono said. “The knee is what it is. In 20 years, he’s going to be in trouble, I think he knows that. This procedure is about him being able to play this year.”
Indeed, off-season surgical procedures along the offensive line are common, as both Angus Reid and Matt Norman have been treated in similar fashion this year.
“It won’t be a big deal as long as I make it home in time for the hockey game,” Hameister-Ries posted on his Twitter account Tuesday.
A bigger off-season rehab project is the ACL surgery right after last season by the other starting guard, Dean Valli. Buono said optimistically that Valli might be ready by the end of training camp. A realistic approach is that the two guards who began last season on the sideline might be there again.
Two promising long-term developments are the fact sources confirmed a contract extension for cornerback Dante Marsh, and a restructuring for linebacker Anton McKenzie will be announced soon.