SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -Troy Smith’s career easily could have been derailed two years ago during a frightening, monthlong bout with Lemierre syndrome, a rare and potentially fatal disease that began as a tonsil infection and progressed to his bloodstream.
He lost 40 pounds and had trouble breathing for 2 1/2 weeks. This all happened just before Baltimore’s third preseason game in 2008, and the 2006 Heisman Trophy winner wasn’t medically cleared to resume light workouts again until mid-September.
Now, across the country with his new team – the San Francisco 49ers – Smith stands on a podium after a walkthrough practice as a confident NFL starter, having moved up the depth chart from third string in a matter of two months. He jumped over a pair of former No. 1-overall draft picks in the process.
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