Dallas Cowboys center Travis Frederick has been diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder that causes weakness in various parts of the body.
The four-time Pro Bowl player said Wednesday he is not sure on a timetable for a return to professional football as his body’s immune system is attacking his nerves.
He is suffering from Guillain-Barre Syndrome and over the past 48 hours has relieved two treatments and will continue for several days to ease his symptoms.
‘I am very optimistic about my condition and the immediate future, as I have been told that the illness was detected at a fairly early stage,’ Frederick said. ‘My doctors have told me that it is not possible to determine a timetable for a return to the field right now, but I am hopeful that I will be able to play as soon as possible.’
Dallas Cowboys center Travis Frederick, 27,has been diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that causes weakness in various parts of the body (pictured on November 19, 2017)
The 27-year-old Frederick has started all 83 games, including three playoff games, since the Cowboys drafted him late in the first round in 2013.
That streak is likely in jeopardy with the opener two and a half weeks away, September 9 at Carolina.
According to the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke , Guillain-Barre causes the body to attack a network of nerves around the brain and spinal cord.
Most people recover from even the most severe cases of the auto-immune disease, but some will continue to have some degree of weakness, according to the institute.
However, in severe cases the disease can paralyze your entire body.
It affects around one in 100,000 people in the UK and US and symptoms usually start with a tingling sensation in the leg, which may spread to the arms and upper body.
There is no exact cause for the disorder and no cure, though treatment can ease symptoms.
Frederick saw a specialist in California while the Cowboys were still in training camp there because of feelings he said were similar to stingers in his neck and shoulders.
When he returned to camp, he told reporters he checked out OK. He was on the sideline for the preseason game against Cincinnati on Saturday.
Coach Jason Garrett said Tuesday tests for Frederick continued with doctors in the Dallas area. Garrett declined to be more specific.
Joe Looney has been working at center in Frederick’s absence, but the Cowboys have always considered 2014 All-Pro right guard Zack Martin a possibility there.
Martin will miss the rest of the preseason after hyperextending his left knee against the Bengals.
Frederick was the second of three first-round picks in a span of four years, a group that anchors what is considered one of the NFL’s best offensive lines.
Two years ago, Frederick signed a $56 million, six-year extension that at the time made him the highest-paid center in the NFL. He’s now fourth on that list.
Left tackle Tyron Smith, the 2011 choice, has battled back issues in recent years. Frederick, Smith and 2014 pick Martin have all been named to the Pro Bowl each of the past four seasons.
Dallas is banking on a healthy offensive line in front of 2016 NFL rushing leader Ezekiel Elliott, with the Cowboys hopeful that quarterback Dak Prescott and a largely unproven group of receivers can feed off a powerful running game.