We are only one week into the NFL season and teams are already concerned about the health of their stars. Dez Bryant and DeSean Jackson will both missed an extended period of time, while Terrell Suggs will miss the rest of the season. These early injuries has all three teams scrambling to find a replacement for these seemingly irreplaceable players.
The Dallas Cowboys saw their star receiver go down with an apparent foot injury in Sunday night's win over the New York Giants. It was announced late Sunday that Bryant suffered a broken fifth metatarsal in his right foot, which was repaired in surgery on Monday.
Bryant tweeted out that the surgery went great, but head coach Jason Garrett announced the timetable to be four to six weeks before the star returns. His estimated return is October 26th against the Giants, or November 1st against the Seattle Seahawks.
Some believe that it will take Bryant four to eight weeks to get back on the field, which could take him past Dallas's bye week on October 18th. The team is not considering putting Bryant on injured reserve-designated to return, which would free up a roster spot.
Making that transaction would also mean that Bryant could not practice with the team for six weeks, and couldn't play in a game for eight weeks.
The team reportedly worked out a number of receivers, including Hakeem Nicks, on Monday to replace the $70 million man for the time being.
Bryant was not the only star wideout in the NFC East to go down, as the Washington Redskins' injury-prone receiver went down in Sunday's loss to the Miami Dolphins. The official diagnosis is a strained hamstring that will keep him out three to four weeks.
The injury occurred on the first play of Washington's second series of Sunday's game, and an MRI on Monday revealed the injury. Jackson went down when he ran a deep route and stretched for an overthrown ball from Kirk Cousins.
The receiver would not return to the game, and after missing the entire preseason with a Grade 2 separated shoulder, will miss at least another month. Jackson was seen grabbing at his leg after the play and was worked on by trainers on the sideline.
Ryan Grant replaced Jackson on Sunday, but the second-year receiver does not provide the deep threat that the starter does. The former Philadelphia Eagle led the NFL with 13 catches of 40 or more yards last season.
The other major injury comes on the other side of the ball, as the Baltimore Ravens lost outside linebacker Terrell Suggs for the season with a torn Achilles. Suggs went down with the season-ending injury in Sunday's 19-13 loss to the Denver Broncos.
The team realizes the impact this injury will have on them, as many players were shaken up to see their leader go down. Many are now speculating whether or not the 32-year old has played his last game in the NFL.
This is the second torn Achilles in Suggs' career. He tore his right Achilles in spring of 2012, but it was his left one that gave out in the fourth quarter on Sunday. Suggs was able to walk off under his own power, which led many to believe it was a minor injury.
The OLB refused to be carted into the locker room, but the severity of the injury was announced after the game. Suggs has 106.5 sacks in his career, which is 36 more than any other Raven on the active roster. He also has the sixth-most sacks among active players in the league.
Suggs was very positive on Twitter, keeping his focus on the team and winning games.
Multiple teams that suffered these early-season blows will look to use the same mindset and find a different strategy to win games without key players contributing on the field.
The Dallas Cowboys saw their star receiver go down with an apparent foot injury in Sunday night's win over the New York Giants. It was announced late Sunday that Bryant suffered a broken fifth metatarsal in his right foot, which was repaired in surgery on Monday.
Bryant tweeted out that the surgery went great, but head coach Jason Garrett announced the timetable to be four to six weeks before the star returns. His estimated return is October 26th against the Giants, or November 1st against the Seattle Seahawks.
Some believe that it will take Bryant four to eight weeks to get back on the field, which could take him past Dallas's bye week on October 18th. The team is not considering putting Bryant on injured reserve-designated to return, which would free up a roster spot.
Making that transaction would also mean that Bryant could not practice with the team for six weeks, and couldn't play in a game for eight weeks.
The team reportedly worked out a number of receivers, including Hakeem Nicks, on Monday to replace the $70 million man for the time being.
Bryant was not the only star wideout in the NFC East to go down, as the Washington Redskins' injury-prone receiver went down in Sunday's loss to the Miami Dolphins. The official diagnosis is a strained hamstring that will keep him out three to four weeks.
The injury occurred on the first play of Washington's second series of Sunday's game, and an MRI on Monday revealed the injury. Jackson went down when he ran a deep route and stretched for an overthrown ball from Kirk Cousins.
The receiver would not return to the game, and after missing the entire preseason with a Grade 2 separated shoulder, will miss at least another month. Jackson was seen grabbing at his leg after the play and was worked on by trainers on the sideline.
Ryan Grant replaced Jackson on Sunday, but the second-year receiver does not provide the deep threat that the starter does. The former Philadelphia Eagle led the NFL with 13 catches of 40 or more yards last season.
The other major injury comes on the other side of the ball, as the Baltimore Ravens lost outside linebacker Terrell Suggs for the season with a torn Achilles. Suggs went down with the season-ending injury in Sunday's 19-13 loss to the Denver Broncos.
The team realizes the impact this injury will have on them, as many players were shaken up to see their leader go down. Many are now speculating whether or not the 32-year old has played his last game in the NFL.
This is the second torn Achilles in Suggs' career. He tore his right Achilles in spring of 2012, but it was his left one that gave out in the fourth quarter on Sunday. Suggs was able to walk off under his own power, which led many to believe it was a minor injury.
The OLB refused to be carted into the locker room, but the severity of the injury was announced after the game. Suggs has 106.5 sacks in his career, which is 36 more than any other Raven on the active roster. He also has the sixth-most sacks among active players in the league.
Suggs was very positive on Twitter, keeping his focus on the team and winning games.
Multiple teams that suffered these early-season blows will look to use the same mindset and find a different strategy to win games without key players contributing on the field.
