Stephen Gostkowski: New England Patriots Kicker's Quad Actually Tore Off Bone

This article debuted on SpotsHaze.com/Boston

Details on New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostwoski's season ending surgery have begun to trickle out of Foxboro.

Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald reported on Wednesday that the injury sustained was in fact a torn quadriceps muscle, and it actually tore off the bone of Gostkowski's right kicking leg.

He sustained the injury in Week nine during the second quarter versus the Cleveland Browns. At the time Patriots head coach Bill Belichick downplayed the kicker's absence stating simply "His leg tightened up in the game; obviously he wasn't able to finish and kick...we'll have to see." But the injury was far too severe to come back from.

New England placed Gostkowski on the injured reserve just two days later following an MRI which revealed the full extent of the tear. The team was forced to dip into the free-agent market and eventually brought in Shayne Graham who posted a perfect conversion rate on his 13 field goal attempts. Oddly, he did miss two extra point attempts.

Now, a full three months removed from his operation, Gostkowski has his sights set on 2011, but some aspect are still murky.

The CBA standoff the NFL and the Players Association are engaged in could alter the Patriots kicker's scheduled rehab. If the negotiations stall, and a lockup results, Gostwoski, who has been in Foxboro five days a week rehabbing, would be out of a facility.

Seemingly unfazed, he suggested his alma mater, the University of Memphis, as a possibility for a new location.

“I’m prepared for whatever’s going to happen,’’ the 27-year-old Pro Bowl kicker said. “This is my career. I’m going to be prepared for the season.’’

But Gostkowski may have competition in 2011 in the form of an insurance plan on his quad. Shayne Graham filled in admirably last season and could get another look in New England if Gostkowski's health is ever in question.

Graham may have even done enough with the Patriots to earn another job elsewhere.  Which could open up the possibility of New England bringing in yet another leg.

But, for now, Gostwoski's rehab sounds promising and positive, and the kicker feels like he'll be ready when the time comes.

“When I start kicking again, it’s (going to be) a feel kind of thing. But they’re confident I should feel no effects here in a little while and I should be ready to go."