As expected during this time of the NFL season, players are quickly starting to drop like flies due to injuries. This is the time when teams are finally tested on how well they did drafting and signing free agents in the offseason for depth.
Here’s a look at the injuries that are forcing teams to scramble for replacements:
Rodney Harrison, S New England Patriots
Harrison suffered a broken right scapula just six minutes into the Patriots 27-20 loss to Indianapolis last Sunday night and is expect to miss several weeks. Harrison’s injury comes in the wake of an already idling Pats secondary. Fellow safety Eugene Wilson has already missed four out of the past five games because of a bum hamstring. Cornerback Chad Scott replaced Harrison during the Colts game and is likely to do so again this week against the Jets.
Michael Strahan and OSI Umenyiora, DE New York Giants
Pundits scoffed at the Giants when they drafted Mathias Kiwanuka in the first round of last April’s draft. New York already had Strahan and Umenyiora (arguably the best defensive end combo in the league) and had drafted Justin Tuck out of Notre Dame just a season ago. Apparently, the Giants knew what they were doing – or just “lucked” out. Strahan will miss 3-6 weeks with a right foot sprain while Umenyiora will continue to miss time with a hip injury. Kiwanuka and Tuck will start this weekend against the Bears.
Update: The Giants just lost WR Amani Toomer for the season as well.
Shaun Alexander RB, Matt Hasselback QB Seattle Seahawks
Alexander will miss his sixth straight game while trying to recover from a broken bone in his foot while Hasselback tries to bounce back from a knee injury. So far, Seneca Wallace and Maurice Morris have filled in adequately while the two stars try and heal. Both Alexander and Hasselback players will miss this weekend’s game against the Rams, but each are expected back within the next two weeks.
John Abraham DE, Ed Hartwell LB, Kynan Forney, OG Atlanta Falcons
Abraham (groin, abdominal) and Hartwell (knees) have both missed extended time this season. Their injuries are killing a once stout defense and the lack of Abraham’s pass rushing presence is causing the secondary to be picked apart. Forney (arguably the Falcons best run blocker) has been taken out of three out of the past five games because of a reoccurring dislocation of his right shoulder. He will miss the rest of the season.
Other notable injuries:
Justin Hartwig (groin), C Carolina Panthers
Mike Brown, S Chicago Bears
Brian Urlacher (foot), LB Chicago Bears (although he is expected to play this weekend)
Willis McGahee (rib), RB Buffalo Bills
Leigh Bodden (ankle sprain), CB Cleveland Browns
Ian Gold (hamstring), LB Denver Broncos
Ebenezer Ekuban (thigh), DL Denver Broncos
Mike Doss, S Indianapolis Colts
