I love football for umpteen reasons, but, perhaps most emotionally, I adore the game for its life application and in particular it’s focus in overcoming adversity. Part of what makes the Packers 2010-11 Superbowl run so amazing was the sheer amount of injuries for which Green Bay made adjustments throughout the season. Even with devastating losses against teams like the Dolphins, McCarthy and the Pack found a way to make it work and win when it counted with a skeleton crew.
While it makes for a great story, I’d much rather the Pack waltzed to the Superbowl with zero injuries and 16 regular season blowouts. After a two loss 2011-12 season and literally zero major player losses (sorry Scott Wells), on paper the Packers should only improve. Their defense, abysmal in yardage allowed, added several pass rushers and has no where to go but up. On offense, Green Bay returns 95% of its players at full strength with several training camp competitions.
What could possibly ruin the 2012 Packers? Injuries! Green Bay already has 18 players slated to miss Thursday’s preseason game against the Cleveland Browns. I understand developmental chemistry and the old cliche of “shaking out the rust”, but at this point I’d protect every locked in starter from injury by hiding their pads and confining them to the training room with 24 hour supervision. Screw the wide receiver chemistry…Aaron Rodgers should be under lock and key with his arm insured by Lloyd’s of London for one billion samolians.
Here’s the complete list of Packers’ injuries, courtesy of the best Packers fan blog, AcmePackingCompany:
TE Jermichael Finley – quadriceps injury
Injured in practice August 6th
Expects to return for Packers’ third preseason game @ Cincinnati Bengals
WR Greg Jennings – concussion
Injured in family night scrimmage, August 3rd
No timeline for his return
ILB Desmond Bishop – hamstring
Injured preseason week 1 @ Chargers
Expected to miss much, if not all of the season
CB Davon House – dislocated shoulder
Injured preseason week 1 @ Chargers
Expected to miss 2-3 weeks
CB Sam Shields – elbow
Injured in practice August 6th
Hopes to return to practice in about a week
T Derek Sherrod – broken leg
Injured Week 15 (2011) @ Chiefs, on Physically Unable to Perform list
No firm timetable for his return
TE Andrew Quarless – knee
Injured Week 16 (2011) @ Giants, on PUP list
Hopes to return for Week 1
RB James Starks – turf toe
Injured preseason Week 1
Week-to-week, according to Mike McCarthy
RB Brandon Saine – hamstring
Injured in practice around August 7
Hoping to return in about a week
RB Du’ane Bennett – knee
Injured in practice around August 7
FB John Kuhn – ankle
Injured in practice August 13
WR Diondre Borel – groin
Injured in preseason Week 1 @ Chargers
WR Shaky Smithson – ankle
Injured in preseason Week 1 @ Chargers
OLB Frank Zombo – hamstring
On PUP list
G Ray Dominguez – high ankle sprain
Injured in practice August 2
DT Johnny Jones – knee
On PUP list
FB Jon Hoese – hamstring
No timetable for return
TE Eric Lair – knee
Placed on Injured Reserve
Post by @PackerInsanity
