Could Samuels’ Injury Be Career Threatening?

The mood among Redskins has been somber all season long--even when they beat St. Louis and Tampa Bay, fans crowed about Jim Zorn’s ineptitude and the general disarray that’s enveloped the franchise. Today’s news, however speculative, certainly won’t help matters. The Washington Post’s Jason Reid reports:

It appears the Redskins will be without Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels for the remainder of the season because of a career-threatening neck injury he suffered at the beginning of the 20-17 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Samuels plans to meet with physicians Tuesday to re-evaluate his injury, but after speaking with league sources the past two days, I expect Samuels to sit out the rest of the season and seriously contemplate retirement. When you start talking about spinal cords (Samuels has played with stenosis, a narrowing of the spine, since high school.) and possible nerve damage, well, Samuels is too smart to risk his future health. No player in that locker room is tougher or more dedicated to his teammates than Samuels; he’s proven that time and time again, players said, but it’s not as if he has a broken arm or a high-ankle sprain. We’re talking about being able to walk.

With Samuels in the lineup, the Redskins ranked 27th in the NFL in scoring, averaging only 14.6 points per game. With ineffective tackle Stephon Heyer taking over for Samuels on the left side and Mike Williams, who started at guard last week, filling Heyer’s former spot, the Redskins will leave their backs in to block a lot and use many two-tight-end formations on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs at FedEx Field in an attempt to protect quarterback Jason Campbell.

Again, much of Reid’s reporting hinges on speculation, here. Samuels has yet to reach a final decision on a timetable for his return this season, let alone for the remainder of his career. Football Outsiders’ “Injury Expert” Will Carroll weighs in with a much-needed dose of sobriety:

Indeed, there’s a lot left to be determined, here. Namely, Samuels’ follow-up with doctors this upcoming Tuesday. Still, when you talk about injuries to the spinal cord--for a player with a degenartive spinal cord condition--there’s ample reason for concern. We’ll have more as it emerges.