Injury bug hits hard in Week 5

By John Onan | Monday, October 10, 2005 | ( 0 )

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It was once again a tough week on the injury front for NFL teams, especially running backs, as teams scramble to replace some of their top players.

Let's start with the Atlanta Falcons, who were already without quarterback Michael Vick, as his sprained knee forced Matt Schaub into the starting lineup once again. They came out of their 31-28 loss to the New England Patriots in even worse shape than entering the game.

Linebacker Ed Hartwell and cornerback Chris Cash were both injured, likely for the season. Hartwell underwent surgery this morning to repair a torn Achilles tendon and Cash is likely gone for the year with a broken arm. It is too early to predict Vick's status for next week.

The team that defeated the Falcons in the NFC Championship game last year, the Philadelphia Eagles, were wounded and embarrassed after losing to division rival Dallas. Defensive tackle Sam Rayburn suffered a sprained knee ligament and tight end L.J. Smith had to leave the game with a sprained ankle. The status of those two will be updated in the coming days.

As for those running backs, the Green Bay Packers backup Najeh Davenport scored two touchdowns in the team's first win of the season over New Orleans, but broke his right ankle in the process. He was filling in for Ahman Green, who was inactive with a thigh injury. Davenport is most likely out for the season.

Speaking of New Orleans, star runner Deuce McAllister is seeking a second opinion after apparently tearing his ACL. If the initial prognosis is accurate, he will also be forced to miss the rest of the year.

New York Jets backup running back Derrick Blaylock broke his foot against Tampa Bay on Sunday. This is very bad news considering starter Curtis Martin is also banged up. Gang Green has already lost their top two quarterbacks.

Wide receivers were not safe either this week. Cleveland Browns 1st round draft pick Braylon Edwards was held out of Sunday's win over the Chicago Bears with an apparent elbow infection. It is not yet known how severe it is, but if he is forced out of action, he will join last year's top pick Kellen Winslow Jr. on the injured list.

The Detroit Lions once deep receiving corps is getting thin in a hurry, as Roy Williams injured his left leg in the second quarter of their 34-17 victory over Baltimore on Sunday and was unable to return. They are already without Charles Rogers, who was suspended earlier in the week for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

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