About a month ago, wide receiver Javon Walker had a second surgery on his right knee, which had sidelined him for most of the 2005 season after he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the first game.
Wednesday, the former Green Bay Packers star signed a one-year, $2.15 million deal with the Broncos that could extend to six years and in excess of $42 million if he returns to his Pro Bowl form of 2004. Should Walker play out the length of the contract, it would be unprecedented for a receiver coming off major knee surgery.
Naturally, the question on just about everybody’s mind when the Broncos acquired Walker for a second-round draft pick April 29 came up again during his introductory press conference Wednesday at the club’s Dove Valley headquarters.
Is this guy damaged goods?
“No,” Walker said. “That (second surgery) was just to check and see if everything was healing correctly. Obviously, Denver wouldn’t have given up a second-round pick without knowing that teams of medical doctors from each and every team knew that I would be ready for training camp.”
After blowing out his knee in Green Bay’s season opener at Detroit, Walker had reconstructive surgery in early October. Another minor procedure was performed on his knee last month, but subsequent exams left the Broncos’ medical team satisfied Walker would be near full recovery when training camp opens in late July.
“They just went in there and did a little clean-up,” Walker’s agent, Kennard Mc- Guire, said of the second knee surgery. “(The Broncos’ doctors) passed him, so there’s no problem at all.”
Walker said Broncos fans need not be concerned about his health.
“Not at all,” said Walker. “They have yet to see what I’m about to do on that football field. The same player that I was in Green Bay is the same player they’re going to see in Denver, even better. So I’m excited about giving these fans what they’ve been looking for, and that’s lining up with Rod Smith and going to the Super Bowl.”
The $42 million contract includes a five- year, $40 million extension starting in 2007, McGuire said. Included is a $1 million “good faith” roster bonus the Broncos added to his $1.15 million salary for 2006. The $2.15 million represents the guaranteed portion of the contract. The extension includes more than $15 million in nonguaranteed club option bonuses, starting in 2007.
Walker said he is limited to straight-ahead running. “I feel good,” he said. “I’m obviously taking time with it, but when I get to full speed ahead, I’ll know.”
Footnote
With Wednesday’s resignation of Houston general manager Charley Casserly, Rick Smith, the Broncos’ assistant general manager, has a chance to join Texans coach Gary Kubiak in Houston’s front office. Smith, according to a club spokesman, was “unavailable on that subject.” Because the job would be a promotion, the Broncos would adhere to NFL policy and not stand in the way.
Staff writer Mike Klis contributed to this report.
Staff writer Joseph Sanchez can be reached at 303-820-5458 or jsanchez@denverpost.com.
