Cotchery rehabbing after back surgery
FILE - Jets wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery speaks to the media. (Jan. 17, 2011) Credit: Joe Epstein
Jerricho Cotchery underwent back surgery last month to repair a herniated disc he played with last season, a source confirmed Wednesday. The Jets wide receiver said doctors shaved off a part of the disc that was pressing against the nerve and causing discomfort.
"It wasn't a good feeling," Cotchery told ESPNNew York.com, which first reported the surgery. "It was pretty painful. I wouldn't want any football player to have to go through that."
Cotchery, who missed two games in November with a groin injury, said he's hopeful he can run in a month or so. He expects to be ready for training camp, provided the NFL settles its labor dispute.
"My back is feeling good and I'm progressing really well,'' said Cotchery, who's rehabbing at a facility not far from his New Jersey home because the lockout keeps him out of the Jets' Florham Park base. "I can't wait to get back on the field.''
Cotchery caught 41 passes for 433 yards and two touchdowns during the regular season. He provided one of its most memorable plays, tearing a groin muscle running a pattern seconds before he made a spectacular diving grab in an overtime win over the Browns. He had 146 yards and a TD on 12 catches in the playoffs.
