One of the biggest questions coming into each season is how will players be able to bounce back from season ending injuries? While some hit their stride immediately, others will struggle and fail to perform.
Last season some of the top players on teams contending for the post season were lost due to the injury bug. For some, they were able to continue with their star, but for others, they lacked that presence that they needed. Here are just a handful of names that could be poised to save their team from mediocrity this coming season.
DeMeco Ryans was lost toward the end of last season. Ryans, a staple in the middle of the Philadelphia defense, tore his Achilles tendon in early November. While it was unsure he would return to Philly for this season, he should be a key piece to that defense next year. He should be able to bounce back this year for the Eagles.
Another defensive player lost due to injury last year was Jerod Mayo. Mayo is one of the big pieces to the New England defensive plan, but has not played a full season in two years. If New England wants to continue to be a power, they will need a healthy Mayo. Mayo is the best player on that defense when healthy, he should have a career season this year.
Knowshon Moreno was having a career season for the Miami Dolphins before he was sidelined with a torn ACL. Moreno was the best offensive player Miami had, but when a running back gets an injury like that, their future is smoky. While he is still a unrestricted free agent, Moreno may not have the season that he hopes for this year.
Brian Orakpo is another defensive power that was shut down last year as well. But the good news for him is that he is no longer a part of the Washington Redskins. A team in shambles let Orakpo go after this past season. That could be the biggest move in his career, as I think he should bounce back well as a part of the Tennessee Titans.
Comebacks and Carson Palmer go together quite well. Palmer will have to make another comeback this season after losing last season to a torn ACL. Palmer has been a solid quarterback throughout his career. But after this injury, I am unsure how he will be able to comeback. It might be time for the former number 1 pick to hang them up for good.
Now these are just a few names that could have a major impact next season. Some may be positive while others could be negative. The comeback of Palmer is an interesting one. When he was in play, Arizona was a feared team. But when he went down, Arizona fell off the face of the earth. If he can comeback strong, then I would not be shocked to see the Cardinals in the post season. But a strong Palmer comeback is a rare one, so I would not be shocked either to see him benched by Week 8.
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