NFL star with same injury as West Ham striker Niclas Fullkrug has been out for three months with no end in sight

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An NFL star who has the same injury issue as West Ham striker Niclas Fullkrug has been out for three months with no end in sight.

The way things are looking right now Niclas Fullkrug might have a different manager by the time he returns to action for West Ham.

West Ham had to go out and get a top class striker in the summer.

Tim Steidten and Julen Lopetegui chose Fullkrug.

And it is a decision which has, thus far, completely backfired.

It was arguably the most important decision West Ham had to make in the summer.

The majority of fans wanted young, pacy and dynamic.

But the Hammers went with tried, tested and – by modern standards – cheap at £23.5m.

Fullkrug’s nightmare start to life at West Ham

At 31, with a distinct lack of pace and an injury list as long as your arm, the signing of Fullkrug raised red flags.

The striker himself insisted playing week in, week out and training every single day in recent years had been key to avoiding the injuries which have dogged his career.

So much so when he first met vice-chair Karren Brady to sign for West Ham, Fullkrug asked: “Where can I train?

However, Lopetegui elected to keep Fullkrug on the bench for the first three Premier League games.

Growing ever rusty and out of the routine he swears by for steering clear of the injuries which had dogged his career, Fullkrug then suffered an Achilles and calf injury during the September international break.

At the time it was claimed the injury would only keep Fullkrug out for one game.

But Hammers News revealed at the time that the injury could be worse than first feared.

While it was being reported elsewhere Fullkrug would return at Brentford, Hammers News was exclusively told the German was out until after the October break at least.

West Ham have since been coy on reports Fullkrug may need an operation.

NFL star with same injury has been out for months

The club then teased hopes he might be fit to return to the bench for the big game at Spurs.

However, in his pre-Spurs press conference, Lopetegui delivered the crushing news that Fullkrug has suffered complications and has no timeframe on his return.

Top sources last week claimed Fullkrug’s issue is more serious than West Ham have been letting on.

So much so attentions have turned to what the Hammers might be able to do in the January transfer window.

That suggests West Ham are not even confident the German will be back by the new year.

If the rumours around the club are true, it is believed initial fears have been realised that Fullkrug has been suffering with Achilles tendonitis.

It’s neither a tear, strain or rupture but can be extremely painful and recovery times can vary significantly.

It is inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. It typically results from overuse or sudden starts and stops in physical activity.

Although it is quite a common injury among athletes, it is not all that widespread when it comes to footballers.

With West Ham’s only back-up being ageing duo Michail Antonio and Danny Ings, fans are understandably angry about the situation.

No end in sight for 49ers star with same injury as Fullkrug

Especially given Fullkrug’s track record of injuries.

With few examples of the injury issue elsewhere in football to use as a guide for when the Hammers forward might be back, let’s turn to the American version.

An NFL star with same injury as West Ham striker Fullkrug has been out for three months with no end in sight.

If it is indeed issues with Achilles tendonitis that have set Fullkrug back, there’s worrying news from the USA.

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is dealing with Achilles tendonitis.

The bad news for West Ham is McCaffrey – who is essentially the 49ers star “striker” – has been out for three months already.

And there has been no timeframe put on his return.

McCaffrey’s situation has been similar to that of Fullkrug.

Initially it was thought he’d be ready after a week or two having first been diagnosed with a calf injury.

He has not featured yet for the 49ers, though, and according to Sporting News McCaffrey’s return date is still unknown.

San Francisco has still not opened McCaffrey’s 21-day window to return to practice, head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters earlier this month.

A revised potential return date was marked down for November but the 49ers are still yet to open his return to practice window.

That shows just how serious the issue can be.

It’s easy to see then, why word around West Ham is that Fullkrug could be out for some time yet.

A hugely frustrating situation which could seriously hamper West Ham’s hopes of success this season.