The preseason is both a good and bad thing for the NFL. While it gives young players and free agents the opportunity to get familiarized with their new team at game speed, it also poses a big risk for injuries when the season is just around the corner.
Sammy Watkins, the Buffalo Bills' first round draft pick this past May, left Saturday night's preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers after taking a hit from linebacker Ryan Shazier. The team said Watkins suffered a rib contusion, but offered nothing more about the injury, except that the rookie wide receiver will undergo more tests before anything else is revealed. Watkins only has three catches for 21 yards in three preseason games this month.
Antoine Bethea is another new face on a different team. The San Francisco 49ers signed the safety in free agency this offseason and expected the veteran to contribute immediately, but Bethea left Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos early after suffering a concussion. Depending on the severity of the head injury, especially since the NFL has new concussion protocol, it could be a few weeks before the former Colts safety can return to the 49ers defense. Bethea was injured after being blocked on a play in the second quarter.
Unfortunately for the Atlanta Falcons and the St. Louis Rams, they'll be facing longer-term injuries to contributing players. Falcons starting left tackle Sam Baker was carted off the field in the second quarter of Saturday's game with an apparent and painful right knee injury. Baker missed 12 games last year with a left knee injury, and pending news from Atlanta, he could be missing extended time this year, or perhaps the entire season. Baker was unable to put pressure on his right leg after he was helped to his feet by the medical staff.
The Rams are also losing an offensive player after their game against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday. Isaiah Pead, the third-year running back out of Cincinnati, has spent his career with the Rams and was competing for the backup running back spot with Benny Cunningham. Unfortunately it looks like Cunningham will be officially named to that spot after Pead tore his ACL while returning a kickoff in the first quarter. Rams coach Jeff Fisher said Sunday that Pead will miss the entire season.
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