Photo Credit: Tony Avelar/Associated Press
Good news, NFL football is back. Bad news, so are the injuries.
Fans saw preseason injuries take away players like the Packers’ Jordy Nelson for the 2015 season, but that was just the precursor. With week 1 in the books, it was not without loss for some teams as several standout players suffered injuries.
Season Ending Injury
Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs suffered a torn Achilles during Sunday’s season opener on the road against the Denver Broncos. If the team’s 19-13 loss wasn’t bad enough, head coach John Harbaugh announced at the post-game press conference that Suggs would be out for the remainder of the season.
This is the second time that Suggs has suffered a torn Achilles. The last time he tore his left Achilles before the start of the 2012 season. This injury was to his right Achilles.
On the field, Suggs is the Ravens’ all-time leader in sacks. Off the field, he is a team leader and the source of much motivation. Suggs tweeted after the game,
Chin up Ravens Nation! We've been here before… This changes NOTHING!!! Our mission is still the same!#2016SanFrancisco #RAVENSNATION
— T.S STARK (@untouchablejay4) September 14, 2015
Other Injuries to Watch
It looks like the Indianapolis Colts could lose their No. 1 receiver for a few weeks. T.Y. Hilton is listed to day-to-day after bruising his knee in the fourth quarter of the team’s loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Hilton had to leave the game early but still had seven receptions for 88 yards. Depending on how he feels, Hilton could only miss one or two games. Luckily, Hilton avoided a more serious injury.
Dez Bryant, wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys, broke a bone in his right foot during Dallas’ primetime win over the New York Giants. Head coach Jason Garrett announced Bryant should be out four to six weeks to recover. During that time, the Cowboys have their bye week, but that recovery date is also very close to two important match ups: one against the Giants again and the other against the Seattle Seahawks.
On Monday night, Bryant tweeted that “surgery went great,” making Tuesday the first day of recovery.
The injury did not stop Bryant from celebrating his team’s win. At the end of the game, as his teammates returned to the locker room, Bryant hopped out, jumping and cheering them on.
VIDEO: A fired up @DezBryant congratulates his @DallasCowboys teammates after #NYGvsDAL win. (via @PatDoneyNBC5) http://t.co/2FgjvZromm
— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2015
Also for the Cowboys, rookie pass-rusher Randy Gregory suffered a high ankle sprain after a confirmed MRI. Gregory is “optimistic” about his injury, but will likely miss four to six weeks.
Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, who just signed a huge contract making him the highest paid middle linebacker in the league, left the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a concussion. Kuechly did not return and was ruled out for the rest of the game. The former defensive player of the year sustained the injury in the second quarter when he hit Jaguars running back T.J. Yeldon.
On Monday, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera confirmed that Kuechly underwent the leagues concussion protocol, but is “ok.”
Another injury on the Panthers side is to rookie offensive tackle Daryl Williams who sprained his MCL. Williams is expected to be out two to four weeks with the knee injury.
The New York Jets announced that their rookie linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin was released from the hospital after suffering from a concussion. Mauldin left Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns after falling motionless for a loose ball.
Mauldin left the game and was sent to a local hospital for a possible neck injury. It was later reported that there was no neck injury, but a mild concussion.
Another concern for the Jets was the injury to cornerback Antonio Cromartie. Cromartie was tested during Sunday’s game for a torn ACL, and did not return when the team beat the Browns 31-10.
On Monday, the Jets announced that Cromartie’s MRI showed a left knee sprain, and is now listed as week-to-week. He has not yet been ruled out for Monday’s game against the Colts.
More trouble for the Washington Redskins as head coach Jay Gruden announced that wide receiver DeSean Jackson has a pulled hamstring. Jackson had to leave the game against the Miami Dolphins early, and did not return.
Jackson is expected to be miss three to four weeks, but Gruden said there is a chance that Jackson could be back sooner.
The Redskins also revealed that safety Duke Ihenacho will need surgery for a fractured wrist and is likely to miss six to eight weeks.
The battle for starting quarterback continues in Cleveland. Quarterback Josh McCown suffered a concussion against the Jets when he tried to launch into the end zone but was sent flying back by tackles.
Johnny Manziel replaced McCown for the remainder of the game. Coach Mike Pettine said that if/when McCown is cleared to play, he will decide who will be the team’s starting quarterback.
San Diego Chargers right guard D.J. Fluker had an MRI for a high ankle sprain he suffered during Sunday’s win over the Detroit Lions. On Monday, Chargers head coach Mike McCoy told reporters that Fluker’s ankle is not broken, but there is soreness. Still no word on whether the offensive lineman will miss week two’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
An MRI confirmed that the Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington suffered a mild PCL sprain in his right knee. Ellington is expected to miss week two’s game against the Chicago Bears, and possibly week three’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.
It’s not looking good for the New Orleans Saints’ secondary. On Sunday’s game against the Cardinals, Rafael Bush tore his pectoral muscle. The Saints already have several other injuries to their secondary, including: Keenan Lewis who is having hip surgery, Jairus Byrd with a knee injury, and P.J. Williams with a torn hamstring.
Monday night’s double header saw only a couple of injuries.
One was to 49ers running back Reggie Bush. The veteran limped off the field after rushing for a first down in the game against the Minnesota Vikings. After the game, head coach Jim Tomsula said that Bush suffered a calf strain.
The second injury news came after the game when Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford had “precautionary X-rays.” Bradford has a history of knee injuries, but the team did not clarify what exactly they were looking into. They did say, however, that “everything was good.”
Good News
A sigh of relief for some teams who thought their players might have serious injuries.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr bruised his thumb against the Bengals on Sunday. After an MRI, the team thinks that Carr should have no problem playing against the Ravens in week two.
The Tennessee Titan’s blowout win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers left Delanie Walker with a hand injury. The tight end left Tampa Bay in a cast, but that appears to be precautionary. The team reported that there was no break and Walker should be back for week two’s game against the Browns.
Also, good news for the Broncos as head coach Gary Kubiak announced that defensive tackle Malik Jackson does not have a concussion.
Ref Down
It wasn’t just players getting hurt in the season openers. During the Ravens-Broncos game, line judge Gary Arthur was accidentally hit from behind by a Ravens player running to return a punt. Arthur was carted off the field and left the game tipping his cap to fans.
It was later reported that the 58-year-old broke his collarbone and nine ribs. Arthur has been officiating for 19 years.
