A.J. Green has made it easy to take him for granted. The Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver has been one of the NFL's most productive and consistent playmakers since entering the league in 2011, using his supreme blend of length, speed, and overall athleticism to embarrass defensive backs on a weekly basis.
Health has been key to Green's success, too, as the two-time All-Pro played less than 13 games just once over the first seven years of his career.
The injury bug finally bit last season, though, when Green's season was cut short early due to torn ligaments in his right toe that eventually required surgery. Three months later, the 30-year-old is no longer wearing a walking boot, and expressed optimism that he will gain a completely clean bill of health well in time for next season. Why? Advice from similarly prolific receivers who suffered the same injury, like Antonio Gates and Brandon Marshall.
“[Gates] told me it takes time. Four to five months to get range of motion. He had it in 2008 and no problems,” Green said, per Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “[Marshall] said it’s a long process just because it’s a toe with a bunch of little things, but he’s been fine.”
Green originally suffered the injury in Week 8, sitting out all of November to rest and rehab before his short-lived return to the field on December 2nd. He wasn't himself against the Denver Broncos, though, catching his only target before eventually being carted off the field. He went under the knife just over one week later, finishing the season with career-lows of 46 catches and 694 yards receiving in nine games played.
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