I think you mean microfracture surgery. It does not have a high success rate for pro athletes. See Houston, Allan and many others.
Is that what happened to him? Chronic knee damage? There are some good examples of people coming back from knee surgery, even microfracture. Not sure why everyone is totally writing him off already then. Probably worth giving him a chance to rehab and get back in it, however remote the chances of success.
Some men see things as they are and ask why. I dream things that never were and ask why not?