Kam Chancellor’s Ankle Injury Fixed with New Shoes

It turns out that the Seahawks might have won against the San Diego Chargers in Week 2 had safety Kam Chancellor been wearing different shoes. Does that sound crazy? Well, maybe. But it might not be too far from the truth.

Pro Bowl safety Kam Chancellor has battled an ankle injury this season – something he actually has a history with. After the 2012 season, Chancellor had to have surgery to remove several bone spurs from his ankle.

With the Seahawks’ bye week being so early in the season, Chancellor actually contemplated having a second surgery in season. This would have allowed him to be fully healed in time for the end of the season run in November and December.

Instead, it seems that a change in footwear was enough to get him feeling right. Chancellor stated that after the Chargers game he switched to a high-top shoe. “Well, maybe more mid-tops,” he said.

For much of the game, the responsibility of covering Antonio Gates fell on him. The ankle issues may be a reason why Gates went off for nearly 100 yards and had three TD’s against the Seahawks secondary. A game they ended up losing 30-21.

I talked to the trainers the next couple of days after that game,” he said. “I got some rest and adjusted the shoes. I went out to see how I felt on the grass in the shoes and it felt good.

Gates is a top-level tight end in the NFL. But if you recall, Kam Chancellor has never had an issue with Vernon Davis, another high-level tight end that happens to play for the 49ers.

I don’t have much knowledge about how bone spurs affect play on a football field. But something as simple as changing to a shoe with more ankle support seems too easy. In the game against the Broncos, Chancellor returned to his old self, recording nine tackles and an interception. Like MJ said, “It’s gotta be the shoes.”

When asked about Zach Miller and why a change in shoes wasn’t enough for the Seahawks tight end who recently opted for the same surgery that Chancellor chose against, Chancellor replied, “that’s two different physiques. He can’t support all that weight with the shoes I’ve got. He’s a big guy [6-foot-5, 260], but he took care of it and he’ll be back soon.”