Keenan Lewis Played Second Half of Saints Game with Gnarly-Looking Swollen Knee

Keenan Lewis, a cornerback with the New Orleans Saints, injured his knee during the second quarter of Sunday’s loss to the 49ers at the Superdome. The 28-year-old was carted off the field and initially ruled out of the game. However Lewis managed to convince the trainers to let him back and into the game, for a couple plays, in the second half.

Here’s Lewis’ explanation via ESPN’s Saints NFL Nation Blog:

"“Even though I was in pain, I tell myself, ‘If I can walk, I can try to go.’ My team needed me, and I just gave what I could give,” said Lewis, who said it will be the same approach this coming week. “I’m pretty sure it’s gonna be hurting next week and I’ll be out there hopefully on one leg [again]. I’ll let the trainers evaluate me, we’ve got good trainers. And if I can walk, I’m going.”"

Oh right, by now it’s worth mentioning this is what Lewis’ knee looked like after the game via an Instagram post that hit the web:

KEENAN LEWIS @Saints appears to have traumatic bursitis. Looks horrible but with good treatment, should not miss game pic.twitter.com/E1uocVPjlK
— David J. Chao (@ProFootballDoc) November 10, 2014

I don’t know offhand if the Saints hand out a yearly “Tough Guy” award after the season. If so, it’ll be hard to beat Lewis for playing through a game with his knee in that state. Then again I’m not a doctor. Lewis has an MRI planned for Monday.