Nothing can turn a season on its head faster than injuries can. It doesn’t matter if it’s in training camp or in the middle of a playoff run; injuries always come at a terrible time.
There is something about season ending injuries at the start of the season, however, that is always disheartening to teams and fans hoping that this is their year.
Here is a list of players falling to serious injuries or injuries that could threaten players throughout the season:
LeCharles Bentley, C, Cleveland Browns. This is by far the biggest blow to any team unfortunate enough to be suffering from injuries so early into the season. Bentley tore his patellar tendon in his first 11-on-11 drills of training camp and will miss the entire season for the Browns.
Bentley was one of the prized free agents that Cleveland signed this offseason and was called the “face of our free agent class” by general manager Phil Savage. He was signed to bolster the Browns offensive line after anchoring the center position for the New Orleans Saints for five seasons.
Brian Finneran, WR, Atlanta Falcons. Finneran isn’t a widely known player by any means, but at 6’5”, he has been a favorite target of Michael Vick for several seasons now. Finneran uses his height to tower over shorter cornerbacks and is a great option for fade routes on the goal line.
While trying to make a cut in practice late Sunday evening, Finneran’s knee buckled and he went down to the ground in riving pain. An MRI Monday showed that Finneran will indeed be lost for the season. Jerome Pathon is likely to take his place as the Falcons No. 3 wide out.
Steve Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers. Although his injury is not nearly as serious as the one’s Bentley and Finneran suffered, there is no bigger offensive weapon for the Panthers than Smith.
Just two seasons ago, Smith broke his leg in the Panthers season opener, and missed the entire 16-game schedule for Carolina. Now, Smith has been hampered with a left hamstring strain and is day-to-day as far as a return.
Shaun Rogers, DT, Detroit Lions. Another injury that doesn’t appear to be that serious at the onsite is Rogers injuring his shoulder in a practice with the Lions Monday afternoon.
Rogers is the stud on Detroit’s defensive line and what makes everything stout in the run defense. The injury should not keep Rogers out for a lengthy time, but the injuries to him and Steve Smith are the type of nagging pains that can bother players throughout the entire season.
