NFL Draft Impact: Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw Has Bone Marrow Injection in Foot

The New York Giants already cut RB Brandon Jacobs this offseason, and now ESPN New York's Ohm Youngmisuk brings us news that could make running back an even bigger need in the draft for the Giants:

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Ahmad Bradshaw said he had an injection of bone marrow from his hip put into his foot to help the bone heal. He expects to rest for 3 months

— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) April 2, 2012"

Youngmisuk reported that Bradshaw was having an "injection" in his foot to aid healing three weeks ago, but this news gives us specificity on the nature of the injection and a timetable for Bradshaw's return to the field.

Bradshaw's feet and ankles have been a chronic problem for a few years now, limiting him in practices in 2010 and causing him to miss four games in 2011. This treatment and subsequent rest isn't necessarily an indication that his career will be shortened.

In fact, the good news is that he didn't need surgery. Still, Bradshaw's comment in January—"No surgeries. I am tired of surgeries, man"—makes you wonder whether Bradshaw is exhausting all possible non-surgical options before submitting to going under the knife yet again. Footballguys.com's Dr. Jene Bramel did some research on the procedure: 

"Ahmad Bradshaw choosing to have a bone marrow injection to aid the healing rather than a more invasive surgical procedure may seem reassuring at first glance, but it could prove to be a risky decision."

"Bone marrow injection has been successful in healing fractures, but the data on metatarsals is minimal, possibly because surgeons often recommend surgical fixation of fifth metatarsal fractures because of the poor blood supply to the area. Though Bradshaw’s surgeons likely accounted for that concern in their technique, there is a risk that the bone marrow treatment may not be successful."

"Noted foot and ankle surgeon, Dr. Robert Anderson, recommended replacing the surgical screw along with bone marrow injection or bone grafting for cases similar to Bradshaw’s in this October 2011 study. All 22 patients in his study were elite athletes, eleven of them football players. All returned to their sport, at an average of 12 weeks, with only one incidence of refracture. Similar success rates have been noted in other recent studies."

"Bradshaw’s comments that he was tired of surgeries are notable here. The bone marrow procedure is less invasive, but the timetable to return to full activity (12+ weeks) is similar. If the bone marrow injection alone is not effective, replacement of the screw is almost certainly his next option."

The Giants have only unproven 2011 seventh-round RB Da'Rel Scott (who has five career carries), veteran DJ Ware (who has less than 100 career NFL carries) and reclamation project Andre Brown (who was just suspended for four games) on the roster at running back behind Bradshaw.

That they will go for a running back in the draft is almost inevitable. The only question is how early.

With the latest news on Bradshaw, my latest mock draft projection of Boise State RB Doug Martin becomes even more feasible.