[Skip Ripley]

A dislocated knee cap is VERY serious. You typically wind up tearing everything (tendons, ligaments, cartilage) in the joint.

This could easily end his career or dramatically limit his ability to play.

[Eska]

Ripped my ACL off the bone a couple years back. After mri's my doctor said not to get it repaired; if I had aspirations of 100% recovery. Reason was my age, late 40's (I guess you are supposed to become a couch potatoe at that age); and that I would just reinjure it with physical activity. He suggested a brace to wear with activity.

I can't run anymore, no basketball, can't hang off the dogsled getting whipped around bends, and forget about any sideways bends of knees. I can still hunt above treeline with brace on and guess I am thankful for that. Everyone should wear those elastic knee supports with age. Sure would beat the limitations ACL damage inflicts.

Sad, but if anyone thinks Palmer will be the athlete he once was; wishful thinking. A future of reinjuries as long as he plays the game.