Scheffler told he should be ready to go by training camp

Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

ENGLEWOOD - A doctor's visit Friday assured Tony Scheffler the healing process is progressing well in his broken left foot.

But that doesn't mean things aren't touch-and-go as the Broncos tight end tries to return by the July 28 start of training camp.

His rehabilitation changes almost daily, depending on how the foot feels. And that part of the body is known to be notoriously tricky, with different players reacting in markedly different fashions in their recoveries.

Still, "At this point, I'm not terribly concerned about it," Scheffler said after observing Tuesday's final minicamp practice.

The timetable remains the same.

"I'm kind of in their hands and they've stressed to me I should be about ready to go come camp," he said. "But it's kind of hard to guess what will happen in the next two or three weeks."

Scheffler had a screw inserted in the foot May 21 to repair a split in his fifth metatarsal, the bone that runs from the midfoot to the base of the small toe. He wore a protective boot until about a week ago.

"You can get into all kinds of different things, with the blood flow to that bone; I've heard a lot of different things," said Scheffler, who has been doing extensive pool exercises as part of his current rehab program. "But we have a lot of good doctors and my surgeon's contacted a lot of specialists around the country on this injury. I have confidence in them."

The setback has given Scheffler an opportunity to concentrate heavily on upper-body weightlifting work.

He has gone on a diet and slimmed down 11 pounds to 254, around his target playing weight.

The only difference is he had hoped to have his speed to peak level around now simultaneously, but he hasn't been able to run.

"Getting the legs back is probably going to be the biggest thing the first week or two of camp," he said.

rasizerl@RockyMountainNews.com