Ex-Stanford lineman slowed by herniated disc suffered in
mini-camp
SANTA CLARA – Former Live Oak graduate and Stanford guard Greg Schindler was one of the latest players to be released from the San Francisco 49er training camp.
Schindler was released on July 25 along with three other players.
“We’ve released several people and we’ve added several,” said 49er public relations spokesperson Jason Jenkins. “He was a good player and impressed some coaches.”
Schindler was hoping to be given the chance on the team, but a herniated disk he suffered during the 49ers mini camps in May limited what he was able to do.
Schindler was signed as an undrafted free agent after graduating from Stanford with an English Major and a Political Science minor.
“It was challenging and exciting at the time, but it wasn’t really anything different from what I had done in college or before,” said Schindler about his experience with the 49ers.
Schindler, who can play both sides at guard, was hoping to be able to work through the injury to have a shot at playing in the NFL.
“It was frustrating because you work hard to try to reach your goal, and things don’t work out for a variety of reasons” Schindler said. “But you move on.”
Schindler used to work out with another former Live Oak graduate, Jeff Ulbrich.
“He was three years older than me,” Schindler said. “I don’t really hang out with him outside of football, but I talked to him a lot when we were with the 49ers. I haven’t seen anyone on the team since I was released.”
Ulbrich came back after a major knee surgery. But a back injury can be a lot tougher to come back from, Schindler said.
“I was there all summer working out and rehabbing,” Schindler said. “But I never really got to practice much after I got hurt.”
Schindler said he hopes to have another shot to play in the NFL when his injuries heal.
“Right now I not in a condition where I can play football for at least a couple months,” Schindler said. “I will wait and see what happens down the road. It is a kind of a survival game. Injuries happen. Sometimes you can work through them. I was at a point where I couldn’t function at all with what I had.”
Schindler hopes a non-evasive rehabilitation program will clear up the problem, but said he may go to surgery as a last option.
In the meantime, Schindler, who is staying in Morgan Hill, plans on helping his former alma mater football team especially on the offensive line, bringing the in-your-face Cardinal style of blocking to the Acorns.
