It seems that on a daily basis at this point, another story is released about an NFL player tearing their ACL. This time, the dreaded tear is not being selective, prematurely ending the seasons of players on almost every team. It has taken out players who ride the bench to impact players alike. One way or another, some player seems to suffer one of these major issues every day. Just about every team in the league has suffered an injury to an impact player who was expected to make some noise for the team this year. Here is a list of all the major injuries that have taken place in the NFC to this point in the season, and how their teams must adapt to their losses:
Dallas Cowboys
Orlando Scandrick, CB - Torn ACL/MCL
What the Cowboys are missing: Scandrick is the leader of the Cowboys' secondary, and their number one cover option come game time. Without him, the Cowboys will be nowhere near the same unit they were last year in the secondary, and may potentially take a huge step back this season. He finished last year with two interceptions, and was the man of the Cowboys' secondary.
Randy Gregory, DE - High Ankle Sprain
What the Cowboys are missing: Gregory was supposed to be the new star on the Cowboys' defensive line. With Greg Hardy already due to miss the first month of the season, the loss of Gregory only compounds the Cowboys' defensive front issues for the foreseeable future. Gregory had the potential to start opposite Hardy this year, but it looks like Cowboys fans will have to wait until October to see that become reality.
How the Cowboys should fix their issue(s): Brandon Carr should be the new #1 cover guy for this season, but the man forever known as the victim of the Odell Beckham catch is not going to be able to stop elite receivers like Scandrick was capable of. Fortunately for the Cowboys, they drafted Byron Jones this season, giving the Cowboys another option to take on the league's more potent wideouts. The defensive line will be called upon in Gregory's absence, notably Tyrone Crawford, Nick Hayden, and DeMarcus Lawrence.
Dez Bryant, WR - Broken Foot
What the Cowboys are missing: This is one of the tougher blows for any of the teams on this list. Bryant was the No. 1 receiving option for the Cowboys by a large margin, and his loss is a crushing blow to the Cowboys' chances for success this year. With games against the Patriots and Eagles already on the list of things that Bryant will miss this year, the Cowboys are in dire need of help for this difficult early stretch. Bryant signed a franchise player contract this offseason, and now the Cowboys are forced to play the next month without arguably the best receiver in the NFL.
How the Cowboys should fix their issue(s): This is the most difficult player to replace right now, as Bryant is far and away the best option for Tony Romo. It will fall on TE Jason Witten as well as backup wideouts Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley and RB Joseph Randle to pick up the slack in Bryant's absence. This is no one-man job to make up for - it will take an entire team effort to make up for Bryant.
New York Giants
Will Beatty, OT - Torn Pectoral Muscle
What the Giants are missing: Beatty was often derided for his poor play last season, but looking up and down the Giants' roster, there aren't any suitable replacements for Beatty either. Between Marshall Newhouse and rookie Bobby Hart, the lack of depth on the line makes it impossible to believe the Giants will have any success this year.
How the Giants should fix their issue(s): This is a tough one to fix purely because there isn't much talent on the offensive line. Rookie Ereck Flowers should play one tackle spot, but there is immediate pressure on him to protect Eli Manning well, more than perhaps the Giants' first round pick can handle.
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE - Finger Injury
What the Giants are missing: Often called the dumbest mistake made by a football player this offseason, Jason Pierre-Paul lost his index finger in a July 4th fireworks accident. Since then, it's been nearly impossible for the Giants and JPP to have any contact whatsoever. It started with a failed attempt by Giants' medical staff to visit JPP in the hospital and caused the Giants to hold back on signing JPP to the franchise tag deal he earned this offseason. JPP is the Giants' defensive line at this point, with the other pieces on the line either ineffective or unproven.
How the Giants should fix their issue(s): JPP might be the most irreplaceable player on this list of injured players. He shined in a year where the rest of the defense sputtered and was to blame for the Giants' struggles. Second-year DE Kerry Wynn, DT Jonathan Hankins and veteran George Selvie should be the leaders of the defensive line in Pierre-Paul's absence.
Washington Redskins
Junior Galette - Torn Achilles
What the Redskins are missing: Galette was released by the New Orleans Saints this offseason, and the Redskins snatched him up immediately. He was poised to be the veteran presence on the Redskins defense and was to be the complementary piece to Ryan Kerrigan as a part of the Redskins' linebacker corps. Unfortunately for him and the Redskins, he tore his Achilles in the offseason and will miss the year.
How the Redskins should fix their issue(s): Galette was a new addition to the Redskins' roster, so the team should have some chemistry going from 2015 with guys like Ryan Kerrigan, Trent Murphy, Perry Riley, and Keenan Robinson also in the linebacking corps. Add to that the fact that the Redskins added Stephen Paea, Terrance Knighton, and Chris Culliver in free agency, and the Redskins' defense could be a sleeper for best in the league.
Niles Paul, TE - Dislocated Ankle
What the Redskins are missing: Paul was supposed to ease the load off of Jordan Reed at TE for the Redskins, but his season was cut short by a dislocated ankle. It wouldn't be far from the imagination to say that Paul was even challenging Reed for the Redskins' starting TE gig.
How the Redskins should fix their issue(s): With Paul out, the Redskins will have to rely on Jordan Reed a lot more than they wanted to, in addition to their wide receivers, namely DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, and Andre Roberts. The team also needs production out of their backfield, with Alfred Morris leading the charge and perhaps third-round pick Matt Jones seeing some playing time as well.
Chicago Bears
Kevin White, WR - Shin Stress Fracture
What the Bears are missing: White arrived in Chicago as the team's first pick of the draft, and with the lack of options around him at WR at the time of his drafting, it is safe to say that White was supposed to be the Bears' WR2 behind Alshon Jeffery this season before he had surgery on his shin this offseason. White was a stud in college, and was oftentimes in the same class as Amari Cooper in terms of best wideouts available at the time of the draft.
How the Bears should fix their issue(s): White should be a tough blow for the Bears offense, but he surprisingly hasn't been so far. Other guys like Eddie Royal, Martellus Bennett, and Marquess Wilson have all played well in White's absence, despite not being the trendy picks to play alongside Alshon Jeffery on the field regularly. The Bears also still have Matt Forte, who consistently provides pass catching out of the backfield, even as he approaches the age of 30.
Ryan Mundy, SS - Hip Injury
What the Bears are missing: Mundy was a star in the Bears' secondary last year. Part of a team that was often derided as having the worst defense in the league in 2014, Mundy was one of the few bright spots for a team ravaged by injuries and underperforming stars. He led the Bears secondary, along now second-year defensive back Kyle Fuller, to moderate success last year.
How the Bears should fix their issue(s): The Bears have tried reloading their secondary with some new pieces, namely Antrel Rolle and Tracy Porter to improve on a down year for Chicago. Their linebacking corps looks deadly if it can stay healthy, with Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston, and Pernell McPhee all having a history of dominant seasons in the league.
Green Bay Packers
Jordy Nelson, WR - Torn ACL
What the Packers are missing: Nelson is undoubtedly the #1 receiver for the Packers. Sure, some will argue that Randall Cobb is just as much a #1 option as Nelson is, but Nelson has been the receiving rock to hold down Green Bay for the last half decade. He is Aaron Rodgers' favorite target, and he was part of the reason why Aaron Rodgers won the MVP award last year. Nelson is obviously going to be a huge loss for the Packers.
How the Packers should fix their issue(s): Nelson is the Packers' number one option, but Randall Cobb is not that far off from that title. It should surprise no one that Cobb sees plenty more looks as Aaron Rodgers' new go-to target with Nelson out. That being said, there needs to be a new No. 2 behind Cobb. Fortunately for Packers fans, the organization brought back their old star receiver James Jones for another run in Lambeau.
Minnesota Vikings
Phil Loadholt, OT - Torn Achilles
What the Vikings are missing: Loadholt is the best player on the Vikings' offensive line, and it's not even close. He combines the veteran presence any offensive line needs with the will to get the job done at any given moment. The Vikings' 20-3 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night was proof as to how much the Vikings need Loadholt, as rookie T.J. Clemmings, Loadholt's replacement, played absolutely atrociously in the loss, getting in quarterback Teddy Bridgewater's way and effectively causing a sack for the 49ers defense.
John Sullivan, C - Spinal Injury
What the Vikings are missing: While there is a clear gap between Loadholt and the rest of the Vikings' offensive line, there is just as big a gap between John Sullivan and the rest of the Vikings' offensive line not named Loadholt. Sullivan is another veteran presence for the Vikings, and his loss only compounds the loss of Loadholt, making the Vikings' offensive line the worst in the league in its current state.
How the Vikings should fix their issue(s): This is the position group that's been hardest hit by injuries, as the Vikings' line goes from decent to just plain awful without both Loadholt's and Sullivan's presences. Loadholt is more damaging to the Vikings, as indicated in that Monday night game. Sullivan has a decent replacement in veteran center Joe Berger, but the Vikings otherwise will need to see breakout performances from its youngsters, including T.J. Clemmings, Brandon Fusco, Matt Kalil and Zac Kerin.
Atlanta Falcons
Lamar Holmes, OT - Broken Foot
What the Falcons are missing: With Sam Baker out for the entirety of the 2014 season, Holmes stepped in to take over the starting tackle spot opposite now second-year tackle Jake Matthews. Now, the Falcons have parted ways with Baker, their former starting lineman, indicating that they trusted Holmes with the starting offensive tackle job this season.
Jon Asamoah, OG - Hip Injury
What the Falcons are missing: The Falcons' offensive line was woeful last season, and Asamoah just may have been its best player. His season wasn't that great either, which shows how putrid the Falcons' o-line was last year. Fortunately for the Falcons, they have improved at the guard positions, acquiring both Chris Chester and Andy Levitre this offseason.
How the Falcons should fix their issue(s): With Holmes out, there is a mystery as to who will start opposite Jake Matthews this season. Either the team rolls with former Redskins lineman Tyler Polumbus or their newest acquisition, Jake Long. As was said before, the Falcons acquired Chester and Levitre this offseason, the former of which was rumored to be in the running for putting Asamoah out of a job. If those rumors are true, then Chester should be more than a suitable replacement for Asamoah.
Carolina Panthers
Kelvin Benjamin, WR - Torn ACL
What the Panthers are missing: Before the start of last season, one of the most prevalent concerns in the entire league was the Panthers' dearth of receiving talent, with the team only having below-average to no-name players on the roster. Then the team drafted Kelvin Benjamin, and he completely changed the Panthers' fortune around. He provided Cam Newton a reliable target for the season, and he was the Panthers' receiving leader at wideout by a large margin. The only player who outdid Benjamin in his rookie season was TE Greg Olsen, who was Newton's established No. 1 option.
How the Panthers should fix their issue(s): Also up there in high-profile hits, Benjamin is another player whose production will be hard to replace. Greg Olsen will be called upon early and often to shoulder the load for the team. Wideouts Devin Funchess, Jerricho Cotchery, and Ted Ginn will also be utilized much more than normal. Finally, Cam Newton and Jonathan Stewart will be relied upon on the ground to produce the yards that Benjamin would.
New Orleans Saints
P.J. Williams, CB - Torn Hamstring
What the Saints are missing: A group that was shockingly ineffective in 2014, the Saints defense ranked among the worst in the league in both run and passing defense. The team suffered serious injuries in the secondary, as Jarius Byrd missed the entire season, Kenny Vaccaro performed miserably, and the lack of cornerback depth left the Saints outside of the playoffs in the weakest division in the league. Williams was supposed to be the new corner of the future of New Orleans, playing opposite Brandon Browner to bring some physicality back into the Saints defense.
How the Saints should fix their issue(s): Fortunately for the Saints, Byrd is back and Vaccaro is intent on proving that his 2014 campaign was a fluke. The team also acquired Brandon Browner in the offseason. With all those pieces in the secondary, the Saints should have a bounce back year in 2015 and should reclaim the NFC South crown.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Demar Dotson - MCL Sprain
What the Buccaneers are missing: The Tampa Bay offensive line has been relegated to jokes these days. Dotson was the closest thing they had to a solid contributor on that line. Sure he's by no means a household name when it comes to offensive linemen, but Dotson is the leader of the Buccaneers' offensive line. At the very least, he provides relative veteran experience when you compare him to his fellow starters. Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet are both rookies who came into the season as the starters at tackle and guard respectively.
How the Buccaneers should fix their issue(s): The Bucs have already actively sought out a solution to this issue, signing Gosder Cherilus and Joe Hawley to provide the line with veteran experience. The team also has Logan Mankins, which is never something to complain about given his history in New England. Tampa's offensive line still won't be great, but at least it won't be a nightmare.
Seattle Seahawks
Jeremy Lane, CB - Torn ACL
What the Seahawks are missing: The defending NFC champs would not be where they are right now without their famous secondary, aptly named the "Legion of Boom." The trio of stars most commonly associated with the Legion of Boom are Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor (who is currently holding out on the team), and Earl Thomas. The LOB also always consisted of a second corner who left the team in search of a bigger role. In 2013, it was Brandon Browner, who departed for New England in free agency. In 2014, it was Byron Maxwell, who decided to take his chances as the new #1 in Philly. Jeremy Lane has always been there, but he's never received the credit he deserves. Not Sherman, not Chancellor, and not Thomas, but Lane was the one who got a key pick early on in Super Bowl XLIX.
How the Seahawks should fix their issue(s): As long as Lane has been a part of the Legion of Boom, there has always been another corner who gains more recognition as the No. 2 opposite Richard Sherman. This year is no different, with Cary Williams coming over from the Eagles to join the LOB. Chancellor's holdout is a bigger issue, but otherwise there should be no problems for the LOB without Lane. The Seahawks' secondary has a top 5 corner in Sherman and a top 5 safety in Thomas in the league, arguably the two best at their respective positions.
