The teams that get to the Super Bowl each year usually have a little luck on their side throughout the season. One of the areas teams need to be lucky in is staying away from the injury bug. Many a season is lost before teams break training camp due to an injury of a star player. Here is a look at some of the high profile names battling the injury bug so far in camp. Steve Smith, WR Carolina Panthers Smith pulled a hamstring only a couple days into camp and the NFLs leading receiver has not seen the field since. The injury is not considered serious but could potentially pose a problem if it does not completely heal. The Panthers will proceed cautiously as losing Smith for any length of time during the regular season could cost them a play-off spot. Tedy Bruschi, LB New England Patriots Bruschi recently had surgery to repair the broken wrist he suffered on 7/31. He will be out the entire preseason with hopes of being ready for Week 1 of the season. With Bruschis track record of recovery you can look for him in the starting lineup when the season kicks-off. Clinton Portis, RB Washington Redskins Portis partially dislocated his left shoulder in the Redskins first preseason game. Rehab will consist of rest and strengthening exercises and it would be a good bet that Portis will not see the field again in the preseason as the Redskins can ill afford the main clog in their offense to be out. Cedric Benson, RB Chicago Bears See Clinton Portis above. The only difference, other than that Benson hurt his shoulder in practice rather than a game, is that although the Bears are expecting Benson to carry a larger load than last season, he does not play the same significant role as Portis. Todd Pinkston, WR Philadelphia Eagles Pinkston has a sore Achilles and is out indefinitely. With T.O. gone Pinkston was expected to be the go to receiver for the Eagles. Receiver is considered a very thin position for the Eagles and if this injury keeps Pinkston out of games, Donavan McNabb might just be wishing he had T.O. back. Well.maybe not. Ben Roethlisberger, QB Pittsburgh Steelers The defending Super Bowl champions took a huge sigh of relief after Big Bens performance in their first exhibition game. He looked sharp and took a couple hits and reported no ill effects from the motorcycle accident he was involved in this summer. Chad Pennington, QB N.Y. Jets Pennington is coming off shoulder surgery and was far from spectacular in the Jets preseason opener. However, most importantly for himself and the Jets is that, other than general soreness, Pennington came out alright. Ahman Green, RB Green Bay Packers Green missed the majority of the 2005 season with a torn quadriceps but has been cleared to begin practice. Greens return to health will be an important key to the Packers improving on their 4-12 record from a year ago as well as keeping the pass rush off Brett Favre. |
