The Hurt Locker: Injuries Are Up Sharply in the NFL

A rash of major injuries to multiple starters took shape last week in the National Football League. It was an especially bad week for Quarterbacks named Matt. Cassell (Chiefs), Schaub (Texans) and Stafford (Lions) are all down with the injury bug. Matt Schaub is out indefinitely and will be spelled by Former Cardinals Dud Matt Leinart until his right foot heals. The injury will likely keep Schaub out for the rest of the season. Chiefs QB Matt Cassel had successful throwing hand surgery this past Monday, and there is hope he may start again before the season ends. He will miss multiple weeks of play, though. Relative Unknown Tyler Palko will fill the quarterback role for the Chiefs in Cassel's absence. Matt Stafford's broken right index finger might explain his recent lackluster play, but it won't sideline him any time soon. Eagle Michael Vick's broken ribs might also be taking something away from the quarterback's mobility, but he may not sit out anytime soon. Backup Vince Young's likely eager to get a starting opportunity, but Vick's known for playing through injury. If he does start this week he'll do without Jeremy Maclin as a target. The receiver will be out with shoulder and hamstrong woes. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger and Tampa Bay Quarterback Josh Freeman are banged up as well with each suffering from a broken thumb.

Running back LaDainian Tomlinson is also out of commission this week, and fellow Jets Back Shonn Greene's been iffy lately, contributing to the Jets not having enough to beat the Broncos this week. Knowshon Moreno is another running back suffering from a major injury and is out for the year with a torn anterior cruciate legament in his right knee. Giants Running Back Ahmad Bradshaw has a cracked bone in his foot, but he might be back after sitting out one final week this Sunday. Other backs dealing with nagging injuries include Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty of the Cleveland Browns, Darren McFadden of the Oakland Raiders, and Jahvid Best of the Detroit Lions.

The defensive side of the ball is also plagued by ailing players. Starting Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield most likely for the remainder of the season with a broken collarbone. Cincinatti Bengals Cornerback Leon Hall will miss his first game EVER this week, stopping a streak of 74 straight games due to a torn Achilles tendon. Baltimore Ravens Linebacker and Defensive Captain Ray Lewis is also in jeopardy of seeing his 57-straight-games-played streak end this week.

Fantasy football players are sure to be reeling to find replacements this week to help them finish the season. Injuries have helped make or break some teams. Look no further than the Peyton-Manningless Indianapolis Colts to see the impact one man's absence can have on his team. The Colts have yet to win a single game this season. Other losses paved the way for breakout stars to become known. One such star is DeMarco Murray of the Dallas Cowboys. I'm proud to admit he's on two of my three fantasy football teams since I was so quick to notice his emergence a few weeks ago as a solid starter at running back. He's already helped my teams win two weeks in a row. Some teams have so much depth that injuries not only don't matter but also can prove just how good the squad really is. Look for the best teams out there to overcome the adversity of these injuries and keep going strong. Watch for new stars to emerge if they can be capable substitutes. Injuries already shaped and changed this season in so many ways, and there's enough weeks left to heighten the potential for more banged up and broken players to be added to the injury list. Let's just hope the tidal wave that marks the latest sweep of starters going down doesn't continue to wreak havoc.