Sharrif Floyd Reportedly May Retire Due to Surgery Complications on Knee Injury

Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd is dealing with ongoing complications from a knee surgery in September that may threaten his career, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today.

According to that report, "The nerve that controls Floyd’s quadriceps was disrupted during surgery in September to clean up the meniscus in his right knee, and nearly six months later, the quad still isn’t firing, people with knowledge of the situation told USA Today Sports."

Floyd, 25, played in just one game for the Vikings in 2016 after a strong 2015 season that saw him register 34 tackles and 2.5 sacks. A first-round pick in 2013, Floyd was emerging as one of the better 4-3 defensive tackles in football and a key contributor to Minnesota's defense.

Now, however, his career appears to be in jeopardy.

"Sharrif is rehabbing, has seen some of the best doctors in the country, will continue to rehab and hopefully, this will heal sooner than later," his agent, Brian Mackler, told Pelissero. 

And last week, Floyd posted on Instagram, writing to the the "big guy up above" and saying, in part, "Don't let me go out this way. All I ask is for a fighting chance... this game means so much to me..." 

He added, "Grant me one last run, I promise I'll lay my soul on the line," an indication that Floyd is clearly worried he many not be able to play football again.

Regardless of whether he plays again or not, Floyd will earn a $6.757 million base salary in 2017 after the Vikings picked up his fifth-year option. Both he and the team, however, will be hoping he ultimately returns to the field and has a long and successful career.