It was a long and difficult offseason for Torell Troup, but after laboring through much of training camp following back surgery this past winter, the team effectively ended his 2012 season before it began placing him on injured reserve.
Troup battled a back injury suffered in the final preseason game last summer and struggled to be available each Sunday in 2011. He sustained a fractured vertebrae and also had a bulging disc in his lower back, which caused severe and chronic pain. He appeared in just six games last season before he was placed on injured reserve November 30th.
The former second-round pick (2010) underwent surgery last December and had the disc removed and the vertebrae fused in his lower back, and it began a long and arduous rehabilitation.
Troup missed the entire set of spring OTAs and minicamp, but he came to training camp ready to test it out on the practice field. The defensive tackle was extremely limited early on, but gradually increased his participation. Still, he was only moving at half speed through most of the drills he performed.
His effort and determination however, did not go unnoticed.
"I'll tell you Torell is pushing through," said Gailey earlier this week. "It's impressive to watch him because he's not anywhere near 100 percent, but he's pushing through and trying to work through it."
Obviously the Bills coaching staff felt with time not on his side that Troup was not going to be ready in time to contribute this season.
Known as a workout warrior, the Bills are likely reassured in knowing that Troup will do whatever he can to complete his rehabilitation and be football ready again.
"My goal is to show everyone that I can play at this level," Troup told Buffalobills.com this offseason. "I know I can. I'm smart enough and physical enough to play at this level."
Unfortunately Troup won't have the opportunity to prove it until 2013.
