Beastmode

The injury was much worse than a ACL tear. There was other damage to the knee. He is still not cleared 100%. Learning a new playbook as well...just don't see him contributing that much early on. Nobody even knows what option he will be. Will he be the WR3, 4, 5? He still has to compete against proven WR's that know the plays.

AsylumGuido

He was already slated to be the #1 WR in Chicago for the 2017 season when he went down in the preseason. He can play either the "Y" or the "Z" opposite Thomas, if needed. The injury wasn't "much" worse than an ACL. The ACL WAS the worst part of the injury. He also suffered an MCL which is not as difficult a recovery. That said, the recovery from the two injuries would concurrent. The MCL would be fully healed before the ACL.

And, no, of course he isn't cleared 100%. He said that he is scheduled to be back (that means 100%) before the season, but he also said he feels confident he could be back (that means 100%) by the beginning of training camp. He also said he is going to San Diego to take part in Drew Brees' off season training that he has with the WR's, TE's and RB's every year.

And don't forget, his WR coach in Chicago was Curtis Johnson, his current coach in New Orleans. The transition will be easier for him than for most new players. Every team runs basically the same plays, possibly different vernacular, but the same. Ted Ginn didn't have any issues picking up the Saints scheme so why should Merideth? Plus, Meredith is a former QB and QB's usually have a better ability to learn more quickly than do players from other positions.

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill