Al Harris health update

Jack Bechta, Al Harris’ agent, spoke with the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel today and told them it’s possible Al’s season is done:

Before a decision is made on whether his season is over, cornerback Al Harris will visit a specialist to examine a ruptured spleen he suffered Sunday night against Dallas.

According to Harris’ agent, Jack Bechta, Harris had some internal bleeding and the medical opinion is that he ruptured his spleen. The recovery period is 8 to 12 weeks, which would make it likely the Packers would put him on season-ending injured reserve.

“He would most likely miss the season, it would just depend on the severity,” Bechta said this afternoon. “But we don’t have any definitive information except there was a rupture. Now we have to get him to a specialist as soon as possible.”

Bechta said the Packers’ medical staff would track Harris’ condition until a specialist could be found. Though the diagnosis isn’t final, Bechta said that the chances of Harris getting back on the field this season don’t appear good.

“Any time you have a ruptured spleen, you’re not going to take any chances because it can re-rupture and be worse and then you have to have it removed,” Bechta said. “If that’s the case, then there’s always risk for infection. We’re going to take a really conservative approach.

“Most doctors will tell a player to forego a season just because of all the downside risk. The conservative answer now from the original (diagnosis), I believe from Dr. (John) Gray, is to shut it down. But nothing is imminent as of yet.”