Injuries ominous sign for long haul
Loss of key players early in season issue for league
As careful as the NFL has been about preventing an outbreak of the coronavirus within the league, one thing it can’t control is a rash of major on-field injuries. And that’s what it got Sunday.
Injuries often are the great equalizer in a collision sport like football. It’s particularly upending when they come in bunches at the same position. Or when it comes in bunches everywhere on the roster.
The 49ers, who also saw quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo sidelined for the second half with a right ankle problem, might have been hit the hardest — and didn’t have All-Pro tight end George Kittle or standout cornerback Richard Sherman to begin with. Garoppolo may be able to play nextweekend.
Still, two starters on the 49ers defensive line damaged their knees: Nick Bosa, the 2019 defensive rookie of the year, and Solomon Thomas.
Top running back Raheem Mostert, who opened the game with an 80-yard touchdown run, hurt his knee, too, and his backup Tevin Coleman, left the win at the Jets.
“You have a little mixed emotions when you lose some guys like that,” said 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, who questioned the quality of the turf atMetLife Stadium. “When you do lose some good guys like we like we did ... we need guys to get better.”
Among the guys who won’t be getting better anytime soon after a brutal day is Giants star running back Saquon Barkley, who will miss the rest of the season after tearing the ACL in his right knee. The 2018 offensive rookie of the year went down hard on the the Bears sideline on a 6-yard carry early in the second quarter. He dragged his right leg behind him as he was helped back across the field to the Giants sideline.
All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, perhaps the league’s most versatile offensive player, departed the Panthers’ loss to the Bucs with a right ankle injury. He’s expected to miss six to eightweeks.
Also missing — deep breath — for portions of games were wideouts DavanteAdams of the Packers (hamstring); the Colts’ Parris Campbell (carted off with a leg injury); the Giants’ Sterling Shepard (toe); and the Broncos’ Courtland Sutton (knee). Sutton will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL.
More: quarterbacks Tyrod Taylor, who didn’t start the Chargers’ game against the Chiefs after sustaining a chest injury before kickoff; and the Broncos’ Drew Lock (shoulder). Lock will miss three to fiveweeks.
NFL teams are accustomed to losing players; sometimes the race to the Lombardi Trophy is more for the survivors rather than the most talented clubs. The additional problem in 2020 is, well, it’s 2020.
While the league’s precautions against COVID-19 have thus far worked extremely well, the injury toll is likely to mount. There was little on-field preparation during the summer, and no preseason games.
Virtually no contact in a contact sport.
Nor could players use team facilities to stay in shape, which made soft-tissue injuries more likely.
What occurred Sunday, though, is more ominous. Serious injuries sidelining key players are worrisome for the guys getting hurt, of course.
And certain to damage the quality of play.