Football is a game of attrition and one significant injury is capable of dashing a team’s hopes for the season. Fortunately, there weren’t any of those “season-killing” kind of injuries in the opening week of the preseason, but several teams received scares, some players are going under the knife, and some are going on injured reserve.
NFL Preseason 2011: Week One Injury Recap
Recapping the more notable injuries from Week One of the 2011 NFL preseason.
Here’s a recap of the more notable injuries:
The Seattle Seahawks dodged a major bullet when left tackle Russell Okung's ankle injury was not as bad as originally feared. That's certainly good news for the Seahawks, who have a new line coach and will start four new offensive linemen this season. Okung is the only projected starter who's returning in the same spot he was last year, but after missing six regular season games last season with a pair of high ankle sprains, his latest injury has raised questions about his durability.
New York Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes also avoided serious injury when an MRI revealed that the injury to his kicking leg was just a thigh bruise. Tynes is expected to miss a few days of practice.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor will have his broken thumb surgically-repaired on Tuesday, which will keep him out for three weeks.
Chicago Bears second-year defensive end Corey Wootton will miss four weeks after suffering meniscus damage in his right knee while covering the opening kick in the Bears' 10-3 win over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night. Despite the rule change to kickoffs, the Bears had kicked off from the 30-yard line to start the game. Late in the 2008 season, Wootton was regarded as a potential second round draft pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, but the then-underclassman suffered a torn ACL in his right knee. Wootton returned for a senior season and was selected by the Bears in the fourth round in 2010.
The Cincinnati Bengals have lost third-round linebacker Dontay Moch for up to two months after he broke the fifth metatarsal in his right foot.
After having his 2010 season ended by a pair of concussions, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Austin Collie missing practice with an injury tends to form a lump in the throats of Colts fans. Collie played in the preseason opener against the St. Louis Rams and missed Monday's practice with a minor knee injury that head coach Jim Caldwell was not related to concussions. Knee injuries rarely are.
Oakland Raiders safety Hiram Eugene, who signed a four-year, $10 million contract before the lockout, is expected to miss the 2011 season after dislocating his hip in the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals.
Several veterans were lost for the season before the first preseason game. Cleveland Browns punter Reggie Hodges tore his Achilles tendon while field a snap, Detroit Lions second round running back Mikel Leshoure tore his Achilles during an 11-on-11 drill last week and a torn Achilles ended Tennessee Titans cornerback Ryan Mouton's season on August 2. Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Ron Edwards, signed to add a veteran presence to a young interior defensive line, underwent surgery to repair and triceps he tore during practice and was placed on injured reserve.
Week Two of the preseason begins Thursday night when the New England Patriots visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Philadelphia Eagles.
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