No quit in Carswell: 'I know I'll be ready'

Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News

Friday, April 14, 2006

ENGLEWOOD - Dwayne Carswell's comeback from a serious auto accident is finally off to a running start.

Carswell is being eased into the Denver Broncos' off-season conditioning program, which began April 3, understandable given the offensive lineman had his spleen removed, smashed his ribs, tore his diaphragm and essentially had his internal organs jammed into the top of his chest cavity when his car was broadsided on his way to the team's practice facility Oct. 27.

He was first cleared to resume physical activity in February and gradually worked his way into stair-climbing and stationary bike exercises and core work that addresses the abdominal and hip areas along with the connective tissue. But on Thursday, he took a major step in his goal of returning by July's team minicamp: The 12-year pro for the first time jumped onto the treadmill and jogged for about 20 minutes.

"It was a workout," Carswell said.

But a welcome one. The next goal is to join his teammates on the field for their running regimen, leading to on-field work.

"I definitely want to be ready by training camp, and minicamps and all that, at least be out there," he said.

Since Denver's main minicamp won't take place until July, Carswell thinks both goals are realistic.

"I know I'll be ready," he said. "If I keep doing what I'm doing every day and get back my endurance, it'll be no problem."

Carswell already has experienced the hard part. He lost 20 pounds after the accident but has gained it back and is near his 300-pound playing weight.

Yet only months earlier, his teammates openly cringed when they saw the player affectionately nicknamed "House" walk into the locker room for the first time since his accident, and he struggled simply to put one step in front of the other.

The strides are huge now, figuratively.

"I wasn't sure after the accident exactly how he'd come out of all this," said Denver head trainer Steve Antonopulos, who's working side-by-side with strength coach Rich Tuten in overseeing the player's daily regimen. "It was certainly a severe accident and severe injuries he had. But he's made a remarkable recovery. In just the time he's worked with us, it's just incredible how much he improved."

The scar on Carswell's upper torso reminds him of just how far he has come the past several months.

Not long after his brush with death, the incision used to remove his spleen opened, and he was forced to wear a bandage for nearly two months. Fans of The Sopranos that recall the fictional crime boss' recent hospital stay will know just what the player experienced.

"It was exactly what I was going through," Carswell joked.

But psychological barriers still exist and are no laughing matter.

Carswell, 34, still vividly recalls the chain-reaction, five-car pileup near Cherry Creek Reservoir that inflicted his injuries. He related that he doesn't drive nearly as much as he has in the past because he's "a little paranoid" about doing so. He eases up when he does drive, though he added with a smile he drives the speed limit and isn't dawdling in the fast lane as outraged drivers pass him.

"Every time I get in the car, I think about it," he said. "It's just something that's going to stick with me."

Football also is in his DNA. Carswell is positively stoked to be back around his teammates in a locker- room setting. He did little more than sit around and wait for his ailments to heal until getting clearance to resume physical activities. He initially was warned to only ride the stationary bike until his legs burned but to take it easy. Now, he adds elements to his workouts on a weekly basis.

Retirement, Carswell said, never crossed his mind. It's his goal to match close friend Shannon Sharpe and play 14 NFL seasons.

But even if he can't make it back - aside from the medical travails, he's still just learning the nuances of offensive line play after 11 seasons at tight end and is long in the tooth by league standards - he would sleep better knowing that he gave it his best shot and at least competed.

Still, he's "real confident" about making the team, as long as he can return to his previous level physically.

"I love playing," he said. "I'm getting older, but I haven't really lost a step. I'm playing offensive line, so it's like a second home now. It's like starting from scratch, like my rookie year. And I'm excited about it."

rasizerl@RockyMountainNews.com