After 16 years in Congress, including two as chairman of the powerful House Oversight Committee, it's time for Rep. Jason Chaffetz to leave Capitol Hill. An accident that occurred during the W. Bush administration makes his departure not only necessary but urgent.

As the Utah Republican packs his bags, he can only blame himself for his own clumsiness. "Almost 12 years ago," Chaffetz explained in a statement Wednesday night, "I shattered several bones in my foot which required 14 screws and a metal plate to repair."

In the most dad-explanation ever, Chaffetz said he wishes the injury was the result of something cool like "cliff diving in Mexico." In reality, the blundering Republican fell off a ladder in his garage. Now University of Utah doctors "recommend immediate surgery to remove all the hardware or I could be at risk for serious infection."

Chaffetz will be off his feet and out of Congress for several weeks during recovery, missing work until at least mid-May.

After the announcement, an army of trolls became sudden experts in podiatry. In addition to the expected quips about pre-existing conditions, several questioned why Chaffetz needed the surgery all these years later. While that decision should be made between a man and his doctor, this type of operation doesn't seem that uncommon.

The more interesting question is what Chaffetz stands to gain by leaving Washington for a while. By design or by accident, the foot surgery could give him a leg up in the long run. Specifically, he might miss critical and controversial votes.

While Utah never set up an exchange, the red state has experienced a surge in Obamacare signups. Last year enrollment grew by more than 12 percent, the New York Times reported in March, an increase of about 197,187 Utahns. While in recovery, Chaffetz wouldn't have to vote on repealing Obamacare and wouldn't risk alienating those voters.

The foot injury could let Chaffetz sidestep a controversy that could hurt him if he decided to run for governor in 2020. Either way, hopefully, the surgery goes off without a hitch.

Philip Wegmann is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.