I'm not saying Sherrod definitely WILL come back as good as he could have been before. But the last two years of his life have been committed to getting back into playing shape. He's had world-class doctors, world-class trainers, and world-class physical therapists helping him get there. It was a heinous injury, of course, and it's not a given he'd ever get back to playing shape. But I also know Thompson to be a cold-hearted bastard when it comes to retaining/cutting players. Thompson decided to keep him, and activate him. I have to believe that means the professionals have adequately convinced Ted of their confidence in Sherrod's rehab.
The damage I've done to my legs has been structural. I've had major cartilage, tendon, and ligament damage in my right knee. And it's been repaired. All this withOUT world-class doctors, trainers, and physical therapists. I also know that as bones heal from breaks, the healing process "reinforces" those areas, and that they actually end up stronger than the area was before the break. It was a crazy bad break, for sure. But it's been two years. If he wasn't ready to play, he would've been left on the IR or, more likely, cut. If Ted thinks he's ready for the 53-man roster, I think he's ready for the 53-man roster.
Edit: just saw you last post. And i agree that there are reasons for concern. I'm concerned too. But I'd add that this "off time" hasn't been "off time". it's been rehab time. Two years to recover from the terrible injury (and yes, i agree, it WAS terrible.) But it hasn't been "off" time. It's been "rehab" time. He's been working. Rehabbing. "Rehab" time is not "off" time. That's where I'm coming from. I trust in the body to heal, especially on young men. And I trust in Ted's opinion; it's been made VERY clear that if he's not confident in the health of his guys, he'll cut them. So the fact that he DIDN'T cut Sherrod, and has actually activated him, is a source of optimism for me. If the process isn't a source of optimism for you, that's fine; difference of opinion. Honestly, i'm hoping we don't NEED him this year. Hoping that we won't see him play this year, because it -hopefully- isn't necessary. But if we DO see him play, i am confident that we *wouldn't* see him play if he weren't ready.