NFL Week 1 action brought around a lot of injuries to big name superstars that will have a ripple effect on NFL play in Week 2.
The Chicago Bears lost stud linebacker Brian Urlacher with a dislocated/broken wrist that required season-ending surgery in the Bears 21-15 loss to the Packers in Green Bay. Urlacher will miss the entire 2009 NFL schedule.
The San Diego Chargers LaDainian Tomlinson injured his ankle in the Chargers close 24-20 victory over the Oakland Raiders in Oakland on Monday Night Football. Tomlinson has already been ruled out – only the 2nd time in his 9-year NFL career that Tomlinson won’t be able to start a game. Darren Sproles and Michael Bennett will take over the Chargers rushing duties against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in San Diego.
And Donovan McNabb fractured a rib in the Philadelphia Eagles dominating 38-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 1. McNabb has yet to practice all week long, and it looks like back-up Kevin Kolb will start in his place on Sunday when the Eagles take on the high-flying New Orleans Saints in Philly.
Injuries always suck, but it just goes to show that you have to have good back-ups in key positions (QB, RB, LB) in order to hedge your bets for injuries. Too bad Michael Vick hasn’t been reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell yet – would have been great to see Eagles Head Coach Andy Reid have to decide whether or not to use Vick or Kolb in Week 2.
Enjoy the weekend’s NFL action – god it’s great to have football back on the weekends!