Skip navigation

'Disappointed' Shockey rips Saints in return

Tight end thinks team 'misdiagnosed' sports hernia in training camp

Video
  Sound off: Week 7
Tiki and Jerome examine the powerful NFC South, and tell who they like to stand atop the division at season's end.

NBC Sports

Video: Football from NBC Sports
Sunday night showdown
Nov. 11: Rodney Harrison believes containing Indy's Peyton Manning and Dallas Clark are two of the keys for New England on Sunday night.

Slideshow
Image: Green Bay Packers v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  Sideline support
Check out some of the NFL cheerleaders from across the league.

more photos

updated 7:30 p.m. ET Oct. 19, 2008

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Jeremy Shockey was hurting, frustrated and angry after a miserable return to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday following hernia surgery.

Shockey questioned how the team has handled his injury and was unsure if he’ll play next week in London.

The four-time Pro Bowl tight end, who had missed the past three games with a sports hernia, practiced last week and was cleared to play. But on the first play of Carolina’s 30-7 win, Shockey said he “did the splits” and felt pain.

Story continues below ↓
advertisement | your ad here

“I feel a spot in my leg that wasn’t there before,” said Shockey, who indicated he was hopeful he only dug up scar tissue and did not suffer more damage.

Shockey was clearly slowed by the injury. Later, after a catch, Shockey had the ball stripped by Julius Peppers and Carolina recovered. It led to the Panthers’ go-ahead touchdown in a rout that left Shockey in a foul mood despite leading the team with five catches for 50 yards.

“I had a fumble that hurt the team. I missed a backside cutoff block,” Shockey said. “That’s on me, 14 points I felt like I gave up today, not because of effort, but just because physically I’m not healthy.”

Shockey said he may have come back too soon from the surgery, and also indicated the Saints erred by misdiagnosing him in training camp.

Special feature
DeAngelo Williams
NFL's top shots
A look at the best photos from Week 7, including a Panthers blowout

NBCSports.com

“I’m worried that this thing could have been taken care of in camp, like it should have been,” said Shockey, who the Saints acquired from the New York Giants in July for two draft picks. “If it wasn’t misdiagnosed in camp like it was there’d have been no problems. ... Next time I know. When I get hurt I’ll get three or four opinions besides just the team’s.”

Shockey underwent surgery four weeks ago, and had practiced without limitation the week before facing the Panthers. In contrast, Philadelphia Eagles receiver Kevin Curtis had hernia surgery in August and has yet to play this season.

“It’s not a three-to-six-week recovery time,” said Shockey, who alluded to Curtis. “It’s really a five-to-seven-week.”

Shockey’s injury concerns were part of a horrible day for the Saints’ offense, which was held to seven points by Carolina and watched running back Reggie Bush and center Jonathan Goodwin leave with left knee injuries.

Shockey said he would know more about his status Monday.

“I want to help this team win that brought me here,” Shockey said. “I’m just disappointed in myself. I’m making plays and everything, but I’m just not healthy.”

© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Sponsored links