Here's a more compact version of the injury report, with some of the less high-profile names that got banged up this weekend.
Nate Burleson
The Seahawks Receiver is done for the season after tearing his ACL on Sunday against the Bills. It's a huge blow both for Burleson and the Seahawks, with No.1 Receiver Deion Branch and no.2 Booby Engram both currently struggling to get fit for week two, leaving the Sehawks depth chart bereft of established receivers. Interestingly, we tipped Burleson for big things this season, and he was actually turning out a solid performance, with 5 catches for 60yds and a TD.
It will be interesting to see who - if anyone the Seahwaks bring in for a visit this week. One option is Chad Jackson, who - in true slapstick style - we also predicted would have a breakout year, the day before he was cut by the Patriots.
Vince Manuwai and Maurice Williams
The Jags O-line is down to the bare bones after losing two more starters on Sunday. Manuwai has torn both his ACL and his MCL, and is headed to Injured Reserve. It's likely that fellow starting Guard Williams will join him after tearing his biceps. A torn biceps or triceps is usually the end of a Lineman's season, and we can't imagine there is much chance of Williams even coming back for the playoffs.
It's bad news for the team and it's running game, which is one of the strongest in the league. Both Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew could struggle to match their big numbers from last year, and QB David Garrard could also feel the heat. For all the investment in the Defensive Line in the offseason, it's a reminder of the fickle nature of this game that the team could see it's playoff hopes dashed by a series of injuries to the Offensive Line.
Mike Nugent
The Jets kicker looks unlikely to play again this season after injuring his thigh during the victory in Miami. It goes without saying that an injury to a kicker's leg is... pretty bad. The Jets signed Jay Feely, who was released by the Dolphins earlier this season. Feely has experience of kicking in Giants Stadium/The Meadowlands from his time with the Giants, so it's hard to imagine a huge issue with kicking in NYC.
Jeff Garcia
Garcia looked off colour during the Bucs loss to New Orleans on Sunday, and it was no surprise to see him listed as questionable for week two. The apparent cause of the problem is an ankle injury, though to what degree it is likely to affect Garcia's performance should he play is another matter. Garcia regularly plays banged up, and there is even more need for him to get some solid time under centre now, after missing all of the preseason in a contract holdout.
Showing posts with label Week One Injury Update. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Week One Injury Update. Show all posts
Tuesday, 9 September 2008
Monday, 8 September 2008
Week One Injury Update
Well, Peyton Manning made it through last night's encounter with the Bears with his body - if not his dignity - intact, so it's time to give a brief rundown of the key injuries suffered around the league, and their impact on their teams:
Tom Brady
The New England QB was placed on IR this morning, officially ending his 2008 season. The extent of Brady's injury is still unknown, exept that it requires surgery and is clearly a tear of some kind of knee ligament. It's easy to say that it's his ACL, but until the Pats confirm it, specualtion as to Brady's status next season is useless. On the other hand, we'll attempt it anyway, because that's how we roll.
Someone asked me earlier today if Brady could return and play at his pre-injury level. The simple answer, for any pocket QB of Brady's ilk, is yes. Unlike Daunte Culpepper - who's knee injury completely undermined his style of play - Brady does not rely on his mobility a great deal. It's not an ideal situation, but his athleticism has never been his strong point, so in essence, his main obstacle to overcome will be regaining trust in the knee.
The Pats will stick with Matt Cassel this week. If he struggles, expect the team to intensify efforts to bring in a veteran backup. Further to our report on the matter last night, Former Buc Chris Simms has indeed been brought in for a workout, along with career backup Tim Rattay. Simms's addition would signify genuine competition at the position, and as a proven commodity, it's unlikely that the fans in Boston would be enamoured with the idea of Simms merely being Cassel's backup.
Vince Young
There is some debate in the media today as to whether Young's 'injury' was somehow a result of his reluctance to take the field during the Titans win against Jacksonville on Sunday. From a neutral perspective, it certainly did not seem that Young was eager to get back into the game following his second interception in the game, and the fact that coach Jeff Fisher clearly was unaware of Young's 'injury' is extroadinary. Young claims to have felt tightness from his hamstring, just minutes before Jags linebacker Daryl Smith caught Young accidentally on the knee, at which point he was replaced by Kerry Collins. The team has since called the injury a 'sprained MCL', and said that Young will miss 2-4 weeks.
Could the Titans be covering for Young's clear psychological issues, by using a 'sham' injury to give him a few weeks to sort out his head? It's a possibility. Fisher could not have done a worse job covering up the sideline spat after the game, and his assertion that it was a simple 'communication issue' is laughable. The coach of an NFL franchise was unaware that his Star Quarterback was injured, even slightly? That's straight out of the 'Mike Nolan School of Quarterback Health'.
Whatever happens regarding Young, it seems that Collins is now back as starter for the next few weeks. He's been a relatibvely reliable backup when replacing Young over the last few years, and it wouldn't surprise us if a few veterans (Kevin Mawae, for one) are secretly relieved to play with a Quarterback who has already famously beaten his personal demons.
Brodie Croyle
Croyle is likely to miss at least two weeks after suffering a shoulder injury during the same Chiefs-Patriots matchup that caused so much uproar around the league. Unfortunately for Croyle, this latest injury could spell the end of his tenure as starter in Kansas City. Despite the lack of serious competition from within the Chiefs' current roster, Croyle's durability is so suspect that it is inevitable that the team will look to go in another direction now that the decision has been taken ouut of their hands.
Damon Huard should start, and if he can have a solid two weeks, it's hard to see Croyle regaining the starting gig this season. For all that Croyle has in that rocket arm, his inability to stay healthy will likely mean his days as a Starter in the NFL are over.
Marion Barber
Barber left the game in Cleveland with 'bruised ribs', and will likely start next week's Monday Night game against the Eagles. His loss would be a sore blow to the Cowboys, but as it is working out, this could simply make it easier to get rookie Felix Jones more involved after his explosive performance on Sunday.
It's unlikely that Barber will miss any time with the injury, though he will likely be in some discomfort for a few days. Don't be shocked if he misses practice at least once this week, but all sources - including the man himself - say that he will start week two.
Dallas Clark
The Colts TE left the game against the Bears last night with a knee injury and did not return in pads. An MRI on Monday indicated that Clark will be 'ok' according to coach Tony Dungy, but we've seen this before with a guy who rarely goes a full season without some kind of injury. It would be no surprise to see Clark sit out week two, and if he does, the Colts will revert back to the 3 WR formations that had mixed results last night.
On another note, Peyton Manning's injury has affected him, regardless of what John Madden and Al Michaels say. He looked stiff when throwing, and seemed lacking in confidence where his mechanics were concerned. The conservative playcalling of Tom Moore seemed to frustrate Manning, but even when given the chance to cut loose, he looked far from the Quarterback that has dominated the league for so long. No matter what spin the team have put on recent events, it is clear that Manning needs at least 2-3 more weeks of rehab before he returns to his old self.
Tom Brady
The New England QB was placed on IR this morning, officially ending his 2008 season. The extent of Brady's injury is still unknown, exept that it requires surgery and is clearly a tear of some kind of knee ligament. It's easy to say that it's his ACL, but until the Pats confirm it, specualtion as to Brady's status next season is useless. On the other hand, we'll attempt it anyway, because that's how we roll.
Someone asked me earlier today if Brady could return and play at his pre-injury level. The simple answer, for any pocket QB of Brady's ilk, is yes. Unlike Daunte Culpepper - who's knee injury completely undermined his style of play - Brady does not rely on his mobility a great deal. It's not an ideal situation, but his athleticism has never been his strong point, so in essence, his main obstacle to overcome will be regaining trust in the knee.
The Pats will stick with Matt Cassel this week. If he struggles, expect the team to intensify efforts to bring in a veteran backup. Further to our report on the matter last night, Former Buc Chris Simms has indeed been brought in for a workout, along with career backup Tim Rattay. Simms's addition would signify genuine competition at the position, and as a proven commodity, it's unlikely that the fans in Boston would be enamoured with the idea of Simms merely being Cassel's backup.
Vince Young
There is some debate in the media today as to whether Young's 'injury' was somehow a result of his reluctance to take the field during the Titans win against Jacksonville on Sunday. From a neutral perspective, it certainly did not seem that Young was eager to get back into the game following his second interception in the game, and the fact that coach Jeff Fisher clearly was unaware of Young's 'injury' is extroadinary. Young claims to have felt tightness from his hamstring, just minutes before Jags linebacker Daryl Smith caught Young accidentally on the knee, at which point he was replaced by Kerry Collins. The team has since called the injury a 'sprained MCL', and said that Young will miss 2-4 weeks.
Could the Titans be covering for Young's clear psychological issues, by using a 'sham' injury to give him a few weeks to sort out his head? It's a possibility. Fisher could not have done a worse job covering up the sideline spat after the game, and his assertion that it was a simple 'communication issue' is laughable. The coach of an NFL franchise was unaware that his Star Quarterback was injured, even slightly? That's straight out of the 'Mike Nolan School of Quarterback Health'.
Whatever happens regarding Young, it seems that Collins is now back as starter for the next few weeks. He's been a relatibvely reliable backup when replacing Young over the last few years, and it wouldn't surprise us if a few veterans (Kevin Mawae, for one) are secretly relieved to play with a Quarterback who has already famously beaten his personal demons.
Brodie Croyle
Croyle is likely to miss at least two weeks after suffering a shoulder injury during the same Chiefs-Patriots matchup that caused so much uproar around the league. Unfortunately for Croyle, this latest injury could spell the end of his tenure as starter in Kansas City. Despite the lack of serious competition from within the Chiefs' current roster, Croyle's durability is so suspect that it is inevitable that the team will look to go in another direction now that the decision has been taken ouut of their hands.
Damon Huard should start, and if he can have a solid two weeks, it's hard to see Croyle regaining the starting gig this season. For all that Croyle has in that rocket arm, his inability to stay healthy will likely mean his days as a Starter in the NFL are over.
Marion Barber
Barber left the game in Cleveland with 'bruised ribs', and will likely start next week's Monday Night game against the Eagles. His loss would be a sore blow to the Cowboys, but as it is working out, this could simply make it easier to get rookie Felix Jones more involved after his explosive performance on Sunday.
It's unlikely that Barber will miss any time with the injury, though he will likely be in some discomfort for a few days. Don't be shocked if he misses practice at least once this week, but all sources - including the man himself - say that he will start week two.
Dallas Clark
The Colts TE left the game against the Bears last night with a knee injury and did not return in pads. An MRI on Monday indicated that Clark will be 'ok' according to coach Tony Dungy, but we've seen this before with a guy who rarely goes a full season without some kind of injury. It would be no surprise to see Clark sit out week two, and if he does, the Colts will revert back to the 3 WR formations that had mixed results last night.
On another note, Peyton Manning's injury has affected him, regardless of what John Madden and Al Michaels say. He looked stiff when throwing, and seemed lacking in confidence where his mechanics were concerned. The conservative playcalling of Tom Moore seemed to frustrate Manning, but even when given the chance to cut loose, he looked far from the Quarterback that has dominated the league for so long. No matter what spin the team have put on recent events, it is clear that Manning needs at least 2-3 more weeks of rehab before he returns to his old self.
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