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QB Jameis Winston runs for first time since tearing ACL

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 2/28/22

Jameis Winston was serving as the starting quarterback of the New Orleans Saints when he suffered a torn ACL and damage to his MCL during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, his former team, on Halloween afternoon.

As Myles Simmons explained for Pro Football Talk, Winston was seen running for the first time since his injury on Monday. The 28-year-old who will be a free agent when the new NFL year opens next month was utilizing an anti-gravity treadmill, which allows him to run without his legs absorbing his entire body weight:

Free-agent-to-be QB Jameis Winston is running today for the first time since undergoing surgery on the left ACL he tore Oct. 31 vs. the Buccaneers, by Kevin Wilk @ChampionSportsM pic.twitter.com/Lt3aH4hgRX
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 28, 2022

Last week, Jim Trotter of NFL Network reported the Saints would open contract talks with Winston soon if they hadn't already done so as of that time:

The focus is on the Saints quarterback situation here, with @JamesPalmerTV and me. pic.twitter.com/pM1O6f2hWU
— Jim Trotter (@JimTrotter_NFL) February 25, 2022

It remains unclear if Winston will be able to start for any team in Week 1 this coming fall. Star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. missed the first couple of games of this past campaign after he went down with a torn ACL in October 2020.

Before his injury, Winston passed for 1,170 yards with 14 touchdowns, three interceptions, a career-high 102.8 passer rating, and a total QBR of 64.4, per ESPN stats. He was the backup for former New Orleans starter and future Hall of Famer Drew Brees during the 2020 season.

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