It’s Monday, which means we woke up this morning knowing we were destined to hear that a few more players would be lost of the entirety of the 2011 season.
Thus far today, three teams have received the demoralizing news that a key player won’t be available again this year.
Jamaal Charles is officially done: At least Kansas City had a pretty good clue that this news was coming, although I’m not sure that makes it easier to handle. Without their best offensive player and with Tony Moeaki already down, the KC offense is in serious trouble. Thomas Jones is a formidable option behind Charles, but Jones is 33 and significantly less explosive. This could be Dexter McCluster’s big shot.
A neck injury ends Nick Collins’ season: I think we were all relieved to find out that Collins wasn’t in serious trouble after suffering a scary neck injury yesterday, but he remained in a North Carolina hospital overnight, and there’s still concern that the injury could severely alter the course of Collins’ career. He’s an underrated 28-year-old safety with a great nose for the ball. Fortunately, the Packers are experienced in the field of overcoming injuries to starters. Charlie Peprah started 11 games last year — he and Morgan Burnett will be relied upon to step up and compensate for the loss.
Thomas Davis’ ACL just won’t cooperate: Davis is out for the season with a torn ACL for the third straight year. It’s an especially tough loss for the Panthers’ front seven considering that Jon Beason went down for the year one week ago today. This puts a lot on the shoulders of Omar Gaither and Dan Connor. Cam Newton will continue to rack up passing yards with a depleted defense putting Carolina behind early and often.
And since we’re already discussing injuries from around the league, here are some other notable updates…
- Jordan Shipley is also done for the year in Cincinnati.
- Tony Romo has just one cracked rib. He and Felix Jones (dislocated shoulder) will likely be fine for next week. The same can’t be said for Miles Austin, who might be out with a hamstring injury until Oct. 16. All of that info comes courtesy Todd Archer and Ed Werder of ESPNDallas.com.
- It looks as though it is a high-ankle sprain for Nick Mangold, which should keep him out at least two weeks. That said, Rex Ryan was unsure of Mangold’s timeline when meeting with the media earlier today. There’s a belief that Mangold could force his way back into the New York lineup sooner than later, but these types of injuries usually cost players at least a month.
- More good fortune for the Bills, who will face the Patriots in Week 3: New England will likely be without Aaron Hernandez.
- Hakeem Nicks is likely to play tonight for the Giants, per ESPN’s Suzy Kolber.
- More bad news for a Chicago offensive line that has surrendered a league-high 11 sacks in two games: rookie right tackle Gabe Carimi could be out a month with a dislocated right knee.
