Fansided

Five NFL teams that have lost the injury and suspension lottery

By Dani Bostick

Aug 23, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) runs after a pass reception against Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Antwon Blake (41) during the first quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 24-19. Nelson was injured on the play. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) runs after a pass reception against Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Antwon Blake (41) during the first quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 24-19. Nelson was injured on the play. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 20, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) is looked at by trainers after suffering an apparent injury against the Detroit Lions during the first half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) is looked at by trainers after suffering an apparent injury against the Detroit Lions during the first half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

I’m not a professional football coach and I have never worked in a front office, but if I did, I think I would know not to expose key players to avoidable harm. Clearly Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden does not share that philosophy as he exposed quarterback Robert Griffin III to repeated blows when it was obvious the offensive line could not do its job. Griffin went down with a shoulder stinger and concussion, a story that has been nearly beaten to death, just like the quarterback himself during that preseason game against the Detroit Lions.

Griffin is not the Redskins only preseason casualty. In the preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns, tight end Niles Paul fractured his ankle, effectively ending his season. Also at tight end, Logan Paulsen suffered a potentially season-ending toe injury. Running back Silas Redd Jr. is also out for the year with a knee injury.

As if that list weren’t long enough, defensive end Junior Galette, won’t see any playing time thi season. He tore his Achilles in practice on August 26. Though talented players generally do not fare well within the Redskins organization, Galette, at least in theory, brought tremendous athleticism and productivity to Washington. With the Saints, he tallied 12 sacks in 2013 and 10 in 2014, a year that also included three forced fumbles.

Next: Unfriendly fire and other injuries

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