The preseason hates ACL’s
Aug 23, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) lays on the field after a pass reception against Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 24-19. Nelson was injured on the play. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The preseason is only the worst time for injuries because it’s before the real season gets going, before players have the chance to make any worthy contributions to the cause. Regular season injuries aren’t any less devastating for players or teams, but in preseason it seems to sting worse because it stops a player before they even get a chance to get going.
The preseason had already claimed the ACL of Carolina Panthers second-year star wideout Kelvin Benjamin and on Sunday the Green Bay Packers lost one of their best offensive playmakers in Jordy Nelson.
As Around the NFL’s Chris Wesseling describes the accuracy Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has when he targets Nelson. Rodgers’ passer rating when throwing to Nelson has been 150.2, 130.3, 111.6, and 128.2 over the past four seasons. He’s going to be missed surely in the Green Bay offense this season.
The Steelers haven’t even gotten through a few games of the preseason without first losing their kicker, Shaun Suisham to an ACL injury and now, after Sunday’s game have lost Maurkice Pouncey to an ankle injury.
Ed Bouchette of the PPG reports that Pouncey will e out for an extended period of time with a broken fibula above his left ankle. Stephon Tuitt and Bruce Gradkoswki also left Sunday’s game with injuries however their’s are expected to be far less severe.
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