NFL Injury Replacements

SI Staff | Sep 19, 2009

NFL Injury Replacements /

NFL Injury Replacements

Troy Polamalu

Week 1 is in the books and so are the injuries. Here's a look at the unfortunate and their likely replacements, beginning with Polamalu. Pittsburgh's All-Pro safety was a tornado against the Titans last week, with six solo tackles and an amazing interception in the first half alone. Then he suffered a painful-looking knee injury that will keep him out three to six weeks. He'll be replaced by Tyrone Carter, a 33-year-old NFL journeyman who's in his sixth year with Pittsburgh and was a regular starter just once in his career, with the Jets in 2003. He did nab a career-high three picks last year for the champs.

Brian Urlacher

Urlacher has been Chicago's stalwart at middle linebacker since 2000, but suffered a season-ending wrist injury against the Packers. Hillenmeyer is not a bad option given the circumstances: he was a starter at strong-side linebacker for the Bears from 2004 to '08 and played well on some great defenses, even if overshadowed by Urlacher and Lance Briggs.

Jerod Mayo

Mayo, the 2008 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, went down with a knee injury against Buffalo and is out several weeks. He was replaced Monday night by OLB Gary Guyton, who was signed by the Patriots last year as an undrafted rookie out of Georgia Tech. Bill Belichick must like him: Guyton beat out two drafted linebackers for a roster spot last year, he started the Bills game at OLB, and reports out of Boston say that he will call the defensive signals until Mayo returns.

Donovan McNabb

The Eagles quarterback suffered a broken rib when he was kneed in the Carolina end zone last week. He may be ready to play as soon as this Sunday, and Eagles fans can't have him back soon enough. Kolb, a third-year backup who's been running the offense in practice this week, has never started an NFL game. He completed 7 of 11 passes for a meager 23 yards as McNabb's replacement last week. Michael Vick won't be eligible to play until Week 3.

Atari Bigby

Bigby, undrafted out of Central Florida in 2005, made a name for himself with the Packers in 2007 and led the team with five interceptions. Injuries sidelined him for half of 2008, and the 2009 season is off to a bad start, too. The Packers announced Wednesday that he's likely to miss at least four games He was replaced by Rouse in Green Bay's win over Chicago, and he will get the nod again this week. "I thought Aaron played well on Sunday night and he'll have an opportunity to start this week," coach Mike McCartney said

Anthony Gonzalez

Gonzalez is Indy's promising third-year wide receiver who started Week 1 as the replacement to team record-setter Marvin Harrison. The Colts have denied rumors that they'll bring back Harrison after Gonzalez suffered a knee injury that will keep him out for an unknown length of time. The start Monday night against the Dolphins will likely go to Pierre Garcon, who caught just four passes for 23 yards as a rookie last year, but added three catches for 24 in the Week 1 opener. Rookie Austin Collie and newly signed vet Hank Baskett will also vie for more snaps.

Leroy Hill

Seattle linebacker Hill, a starter with the Seahawks since their Super Bowl season of 2005, landed a huge six-year deal this offseason that included $15.5 million in guaranteed money -- and promptly suffered a Week 1 groin injury that could keep him out until November. His replacement, third-year special teamer Herring, will make just the second start of his career.

Paul Posluszny

Posluszny's third year in the NFL started much like his first year in the NFL, with a major injury -- though this one is expected to keep him out only six weeks. He's replaced by second-year backup Buggs who, like Guyton in New England, is expected to handle the defensive signals. He's never started an NFL game.

Reggie Hayward

Jacksonville defensive end Hayward, one of the team's captains, snapped his fibula late in his team's 14-12 Week 1 loss to the Colts. The starting job next week is still up in the air, but it could fall upon the shoulders of Quentin Groves, a second-year player out of Auburn. He has never started an NFL game.

Matt Cassel

Cassel was the big offseason acquisition for the Chiefs and their new executive, Scott Pioli, who unexpectedly drafted the quarterback out of USC when he worked in New England. His preseason injury meant that Brodie Croyle was handed the reins in Kansas City. That' not good news: after a 38-24 loss to the Ravens, Croyle, who played well, is 0-9 as an NFL starter. <br><br>Send comments to siwriters@simail.com.

Published Sep 19, 2009

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