The Undroppables - Pat Freiermuth

Originally when I sat down to look into Pat Freiermuth’s injury history I was worried. I thought this was another athletic/complete TE that was struggling with injuries in college. But as I explain below, my opinion changed the more that I looked into the data. Freiermuth is a good TE prospect and his injury history should be nothing to be worried about.

Injury History

Lower body injury (undisclosed) in 2018 against Indiana – did not miss any games
Right Shoulder injury surgery in 2020 – ended his season

Ankle Injury

Looking at Penn State vs. Indiana in 2018, Freiermuth’s injury appeared to be an ankle sprain but was never fully disclosed.

This injury could not have been overly serious because Freiermuth finished with 14 receptions, 215 yards, and 5 TDS post-injury (not bad for a freshman).

Pat Freiermuth’s freshman year stats (2018) post-injury.

Shoulder Injury

Freiermuth’s most recent injury is the one I’m most interested in. Reports indicate that he injured his right shoulder vs. Ohio State. The video below is where I suspect this is the play where the injury occurs. Based on the video, it could have been an AC joint or rotator cuff but I am leaning towards labrum.

Freiermuth did not immediately miss time. In fact, he played in Penn State’s next two games vs. Maryland and Nebraska. However, in these 2 games, Freiermuth wore a shoulder brace that he did not have on the previous 3 games.

Pictures from pre-game and during live game action showing Freiermuth wearing a shoulder brace on the right.

Before the matchup vs. Iowa, Penn State announced that Freiermuth would be having season-ending shoulder surgery. Although it has never been officially reported. I speculate that Freiermuth tore his right labrum.

Again I’m speculating on the injury type, but watching plays like this makes me think – torn labrum. Blocking would be painful but doable with pain management and stabilization through a brace. With a rotator cuff tear, loading the shoulder and pushing doesn’t seem likely.

If you’re interested in more information about labral tears (and how it pertains specifically to Pat Freiermuth) I suggest you read an article from my friend @kyletrimble88.

Pros/Cons of Labral Tear

If we’re running with the labral year narrative, what are the pros/cons of this injury?

Pros

This does not seem to be an overly debilitating injury for TEs.
Freiermuth didn’t not appear limited in the two games he played after injuring his shoulder at Ohio State – he was involved in both receiving and blocking.
As I pointed out in the previous study on how re-tear rate was high in TEs but that could also be perceived as TEs being able to play through the injury despite the re-occurrence. Maybe they are avoiding surgery because they are not significantly limited.
In 2018 George Kittle tore his labrum and only elected this offseason to have something done. Quote from Kittle: “So I dislocated my shoulder and my labrum is completely torn…So I don’t get surgery on it—[the protective sleeve] basically helps me…” (article link).

Cons

A study from 2018 showed that re-injury was relatively high at 32%.
Another study from 2017 examined labral tears in college football players entering the NFL. Of the position players, TE has the highest rate of previous labral surgery, suggesting a high re-injury rate amongst TEs.

Summary

The 2018 injury requires no further analysis.

Originally I was worried about a labral tear is a complete TE that blocks such as Freiermuth, but my mind has changed. Yes, the re-injury rate is moderately high but for TEs it does not appear to be a big limitation.

Freiermuth post-injury played the rest of the game and was back the week immediately after. I wonder if PSU had won the next two games if Freiermuth would have held off from surgery but with the season taking a downward turn, elected to get ready for the NFL.

Freiermuth did not show any signs of limitations post-injury as well. He was still heavily involved as a blocker. Although this evidence is anecdotal, it’s fascinating to see Kittle have the same injury and play 2 full seasons before surgery.

Kittle’s report along with the research I highlighted above, suggests that TEs can play and have productive careers despite a labral tear I would have no reservations selecting him as my TE2 behind the chosen one – Kyle Pitts

Special thanks to The Undroppables very own @donmegah for the videos in this article.

If you wish to see the link to the original Twitter thread click HERE.

For a more in-depth fantasy football-driven breakdown of Pat Freiermuth or any other rookie prospects, make sure you check out The Undroppables 2021 Rookie Draft Guide.

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