Page 18 of The Backup Plan

INJURY and REHAB SPECIALIST

A small thrill chases through me as I allow myself a moment to let this sink in. This is real. I’ve finally achieved my goal of working for a professional sports team. Not as an internship lined up through my fellowship program. Not the lead-up work I’ve done the past few years associated with the University of Southern California and their PT program. But a real job with a professional sports team that I earned myself.

No matter how rough this morning feels, this is still mine, and I’m owning it.

“As you know, your primary assignments are those who need the most work,” Dr. Fischer says, flipping through the file in his hand. “You said you made yourself familiar with the files, so I assume you can recall Lucas Hale.”

“Yes. He’s eight months out from the repair of an anterior shoulder dislocation with Burkhart lesion, SLAP tear, and partial thickness rotator cuff tear.” I let out a low whistle. A brutal recovery. “And this is the second time around for him with a shoulder injury.”

His file was as thick as his injury was complicated. Every physician and physical therapist in this organization has most likely read it.

Lucas Hale. Thirty-four. Former franchise quarterback of several NFL teams during his tenure. One rotator cuff with a fifteen percent partial tear five years ago. Complete shoulder reconstruction eight months ago. Chronic pain, no doubt, and pride issues the size of Texas.

How fitting he’s playing here now.

“He has a reputation for being resilient and determined. And he’s wanted here for various reasons beyond his impressive career, but so is getting an honest evaluation of exactly the toll this injury has taken on his ability to play.”

“Torque. External rotation. Snap acceleration. All those will drop with an injury like this,” I murmur more to myself than to him as I recall the details of his file.

“Correct.” He silences the ringing of his phone. “Hale will be a priority. Not that the other players aren’t, but Coach wants to see what his new one hundred percent is before deciding whether he’ll make the final roster.”

“Noted. So I’m putting him first?”

“In so many words. All players and their recovery are important, but you’ll most likely get questioned more about him than the others.”

“Okay. Thank you for the heads-up. I’ll make sure everything is documented for easy response.”

“Cole Valor is our QB1. Hale is tentatively our QB2. We have a few other options beyond him, but no one that’s ready yet. It’s a weak spot in our scouting this year. Coach wants Hale to be QB2, but only if he’s capable.”

“Understood. I’ll go back over his chart again to make sure I didn’t miss anything and assess his current protocol.”

“His reputation says he’ll test you. He’s prickly. Intelligent. Stubborn. A seasoned veteran who doesn’t want this injury to be the only thing people think of when they talk about him. And like all these guys, he most likely isn’t a fan of being told what to and not to do.”

“So, in other words, challenging,” I tease. Nothing like a man who refuses to admit his body has limits.

Perfect.

He laughs. “It’ll give you a chance to show us what you’re made of, Doc.”

“No pressure or anything.”

“From what I’ve heard, you thrive on that shit.”

“I do.” I smile and welcome the compliment.

“Sounds like a plan. I’ll leave you to it. HR will most likely be down later today to get you set up with passwords and key codes and the like.” He takes a step back, the corner of his mouth lifting. “In the meantime, Hale is already here and has been told his first eval with you is in an hour.”

“I’ll be ready for him.”

“I have no doubt you will. Welcome aboard, Emery. I’m glad to have you.”

As he walks away, I sit down behind my new desk and pull out my laptop from my bag. Within seconds, I have Lucas Hale’s file pulled up.

A quarterback who’s built on confidence, skill, and an entire identity of refusing to admit his body has limits.

Athletes like this are always the hardest—especially the men—but they’re also the most interesting.

And that means my job won’t be boring.