Every week bones break and muscles rip around the NFL. We’ll take a look at the most significant injuries, and what happens next.
Being a St. Louis Rams fan was always going to be difficult this season. Sam Bradford went down in August, and he’s average at best to begin with. He was replaced first by a journeyman in Shaun Hill, and then by Austin Davis, a promising undrafted quarterback who’s still, well, an undrafted quarterback.
But at least there was hope with Brian Quick finally ascending, and there’s always a solid foundation with a strong offensive line.
Yeah, about that…
Try again next year, Brian Quick
Rams wide receiver Brian Quick was nearly cast aside as a bust, and another high draft pick wasted on the position by a franchise that’s became infatuated with flashy wideouts recently each spring. He was a second-round pick in 2012, barely missing out on the opening round while coming off the board 33rd overall.
He had only 478 receiving yards over his first two seasons. Then suddenly this year his wide frame and natural athleticism finally took over. Though he had a few dud weeks along with the entire Rams offense, Quick caught 21 passes for 322 yards and three touchdowns over his first four games this season, a sizzling start.
And now he’s gone.
Quick dislocated his shoulder during a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, an injury that will reportedly end his season according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Overall even through not quite half a season yet he had already established new career highs in receptions (25) and yards (375). His absence now leaves the Rams having to lean heavily on Kenny Britt and Stedman Bailey, an injury-prone mess and another unproven possible bust. Beyond them there’s Tavon Austin, who needs to have his touches manufactured and is also trending toward bust status.
But hey, at least Jake Long is still tearing everything.
Try again next year, Jake Long
Jake Long was considered a premier left tackle not so long ago, which is why the Rams gave the four-time Pro Bowler premier left tackle money. During free agency in 2013 they signed him to a four-year contract worth $34 million, $12 million of which is guaranteed.
In the two seasons since he’s been remarkably consist, tearing the same ACL twice.
The latest came Sunday and it signals what will surely be an even further decline for Long after another recovery and loss of mobility. The Rams drafted a contingency plan, spending a first-round pick on Greg Robinson. So they’ll be fine at the position both short- and long-term, but they still have to deal with the always awful reality of money.
Long was guaranteed a sizable chunk of change, which makes parting with him painful. But giving $9.25 million to a creaky tackle (which is what he’s due in 2015) also isn’t a fun thought.
Nick Fairley can’t have nice things
Like Quick, Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley was finally realizing his potential. He’s been a key cog in the league’s best defense, with the Lions allowing only 290.4 total yards per came while recording 23 sacks (tied for sixth).
Now that stonewalling will have to continue without Fairley, who had logged 17 quarterback hurries and 10 defensive stops.
Fairley sprained the MCL and PCL in his right knee during a win over the Atlanta Falcons Sunday and will optimistically be out for the next four-to-five weeks, according to ESPN’s Michael C. Wright. Losing a tackle of Fairley’s caliber who can stuff the run and was rated the 10th best player at his position by Pro Football Focus is always a significant blow, but it’s one the Lions can sustain. They still have plenty of push up front between Ndamukong Suh and Ziggy Ansah.
Patrick Peterson was pretty foggy
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson was foggy because of both his concussion, and his inability to escape an apparent cloud that blocked his vision of Jeremy Maclin.
Before suffering a concussion in a violent collision Peterson was absolutely owned by the Eagles receiver Sunday, giving up 77 yards and an opposing passer rating of 155.6.
It’s too early in the week to make even a wild guess on Peterson’s status going forward, as he still has to work through the concussion protocol. Though he’s struggled recently the former LSU stud still has an established history of shutdown coverage, and losing him for even a game against a high-powered Dallas Cowboys offense in Week 9 would be challenging. Arizona’s secondary is already allowing a league worst 302.9 passing yards per game.
