As Week Four of the NFL season approaches, look at the backfields from some of the top teams in the league. A few star running backs are missing. Football, being a violent game, will cause injury. But rarely does the injury bug bite one position so disproportionately.
Only three weeks into the season, five running backs - all Pro-Bowlers at some time of their careers - are already sitting on the sidelines in expensive suits. And that list doesn't even include Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis, who is out for the year.
It all started after the first week, when Denver Broncos back Terrell Davis had to undergo surgery on his bothersome right knee to remove debris and reduce swelling. That injury came as little surprise, as Davis, who rushed for over 2,000 yards in 1998, missed the most of the 1999 and 2000 seasons recovering from a torn ligament in the knee. The Broncos weren't overly bothered by the loss, however, as they plugged 1,000-yard rushers Olandis Gary and Mike Anderson in his spot. Davis hopes to come back for Week Five.
Similarly, the Seattle Seahawks have a solid replacement for their injured starter Ricky Watters. Shaun Alexander, a second year running back from Alabama, will fill in for Watters, which is fine with coach Mike Holmgren because Alexander is the long-term running back in Seattle. Even with Alexander, Watters, who will be out six to eight weeks with a sprained shoulder, is still a substantial loss. He is the only running back in NFL history to have 1,000 yard seasons with three separate teams - the San Francisco49ers, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Seahawks.
The Seahawks and Broncos are lucky to have suitable replacements. The Atlanta Falcons, on the other hand, aren't so deep. Atlanta running back Jamaal Anderson, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee in 1999, sustained the same injury on his left knee last Sunday. Two torn ACL's in three years is as unlucky as it comes, but Anderson claims that he will not retire and will instead make yet another comeback. In the meantime, the Falcons must rely on the services of Maurice Smith. The inexperienced back did rush for 80 yards and a score in last Sunday's win over the Arizona Cardinals, but the Falcons can't forget 1999, when they went 5-11 without Anderson.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are in a similar tight spot as their All-Pro but oft-injured back went down again. Fred Taylor, who has been injured in each of his four years in the league, collapsed untouched from a groin injury on a run during Week Two. In his place, Stacey Mack ran for 80 yards and a score. Mack is in his third year out of Temple, but this will be the first time he sees action as the starting running back. Jacksonville will need a strong performance if it wishes to stay atop the AFC Central.
Finally, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without the services of speedy tailback Warrick Dunn for three to four weeks with a sprained right foot. The Bucs rely more heavily on the run than almost anyone in the NFL, so losing Dunn will cause problems. It should allow Pro-Bowl fullback Mike Alstott more touches, though Alstott is a one-dimensional, bruising-type runner. Without Dunn, Tampa loses all flare and excitement from its offense. Other than Alstott, Aaron Stecker and Rabih Abdullah will see time at tailback. The two have combined for 14 attempts and 32 yards in their careers.
With these injuries in mind, it might be wise for Eddie George, Edgerrin James, and Marshall Faulk to be cautious in the coming weeks. The injury bug is on the prowl.
The good, bad, and ugly from Week Three
The good
The good news is that the league brokered a deal with the National Automobile Dealers Association, which means that the Super Bowl will still be held in the New Orleans Super Dome, just one week later, on Feb. 3. Further, the wild card week will not have to be eliminated from the playoffs. It also means that if you were planning a road trip to the NADA convention, you're going to have to move everything up a week.The New England Patriots looked good on Sunday, beating up on the Indianapolis Colts 44-13. The Pats ran two interceptions back for scores. Don't look now Drew Bledsoe (0-2), but Tom Brady is undefeated.
And speaking of undefeated, the only AFC team without a loss - the San Diego Chargers.
The bad
We're just going to keep putting the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys here until they get a win. It's amazing how two owners, Dan Snyder and Jerry Jones, could ruin two once-proud organizations. The two teams have accounted for five Super Bowls since 1987, which could be more than the number of wins they account for this season.The ugly
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher.
