Count them out of the lineup for the start of the 2010 season
A few NFL stars will have to wait before they get a chance to shine in the 2010 regular season.
Ravens' Ed Reed
The Baltimore Ravens have placed their defensive star Ed Reed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) which means that he will miss at least the first six games of the 2010 regualr season. Reed, who had been on the fence about retiring after their devasting loss to the Indianaplois Colts last year in the post-season, was not ready to walk away from the Ravens just yet. But the 2004 NFL Defensive Player of the Year is still recovering from off-season hip surgery he underwent in early May. It has been a slow recovery for Reed and he pronounced himself "35 percent" healed from the injury in In June.
"It's a four-to-six-month process to getting yourself back to 100 percent, to get yourself in shape to start working out for a season," Reed said on Sirius Radio. "It's a year-long process of getting back to 100 percent. I don't want to come back too early, man, and injure myself again."
Reed, who sat out four games due to injury last season, recorded three interceptions and three forced fumbles in 12 games.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh expressed optimism about getting Reed back in the rotation very shortly. "[Ed] has fought through injuries as well as anybody in the NFL. I really respect that. He will be playing for us as soon and I believe it will be as early as he possibly can."
Backup Tom Zbikowski will be filling in for Reed as the Ravens will open their season on the road against the New York Jets.
Bengals' Brian Leonard
Brian Leonard got the scare of his life after injuring his foot during the Cowboys’ 16-7 victory over the Bengals in the Hall of Fame pre-season game earlier this month. At first glance the injury appeared to be career ending. But after further evaluations, doctors termed the injury as a mid-foot sprain, meaning it is possible that Leonard can recover and be close to a 100 percent in the upcoming weeks.
His time frame should be sometime early in the regular season, which is good news for the Cincinnati Bengals. “It’s how my body reacts to it and when I get into rehab. If I feel good and in shape and I don’t have any pain cutting off it, then I’ll be back out as soon as I can,” said Leonard.
When the 26-year-old returns in the rotation, he should once again serve as a backup to Cedric Benson and be mainly used on third down and in passing plays. “He's a big-time player for us and we have a lot of things built in specifically for him. So the quicker he gets back the better," quarterback Carson Palmer said.
Texans' Brian Cushing
The Houston Texans linebacker and the NFL’s 2009 Rookie of the Year, Brian Cushing will miss the first four games of the season for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Cushing’s suspension will be in effect starting Saturday, one day before the Texans’ open their regular season against the Colts. Cushing’s punishment also prohibits him from being on the sidelines to support his teammates. He is not allowed to be in the facility or attend team activities for the duration of his suspension. He will be able to join the team in October when his suspension is lifted.
There was speculation that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell might reverse his verdict, but the decision was upheld.
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