Injury News: Gronkowski, RGIII & More

Will Rob Gronkowski recover from surgery in time for the 2013 NFL season? (Credit Opertinicy)

If you’re reading this article, chances are you’re either a New England Patriots or Washington Redskins fan, or a curious fantasy football GM looking for the latest injury information. Either way, injuries to players like Rob Gronkowski, Robert Griffin III, and Brandon Marshall are going to be key to preparing yourself for the 2013 NFL regular season.

These key injuries, specifically to Gronk and RGIII, play a pivotal role in the futures of their franchises – and potentially your fantasy team – going forward. Will it be wise to trust in the recovery of these NFL stars, or should you exercise more caution than optimism?

SidelineMOB is here to help you with late-breaking news and analysis of key injuries to the Patriots and Redskins stars, as well as the health outlook for RB Maurice Jones-Drew and WRs Brandon Marshall and Hakeem Nicks. Who will be ready to start Week 1 of the 2013 NFL season, and who may still be on the shelf?

Rob Gronkowski: forearm, back surgery?

Much has been made of Rob Gronkowski’s oft-injured forearm, as the Patriots tight end is scheduled to undergo his fourth surgery on that region in the near future. More troubling, however, are recent reports from multiple sources (specifically ESPN) that Gronk may require surgery to repair a disc in his lower back.

While the back issue is not considered especially serious and is unrelated to the back surgery Gronkowski underwent in 2009, it’s still troublesome that the 24-year-old will have had six invasive surgeries this early in his career – especially two on his spine. As of this moment, neither surgery is expected to significantly impact his career, nor should it affect his ability to start Week 1. Whether or not they will prohibit him from being the Rob Gronkowski we are accustomed to watching for several weeks remains to be seen.

Robert Griffin III: is the ACL ready?

Watching RGIII crumple to the ground during a playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks last season was heartbreaking for Redskins fans. After the initial shock of the diagnosis – a torn ACL – wore off, questions immediately turned to the long-term health and recovery of Washington’s franchise QB.

Griffin’s reparative surgery took place in January 2013, which probably places the timetable on his return sometime after the start of the 2013 NFL season. In his stead, the Redskins will turn to fellow 2nd-year QB Kirk Cousins to control the offense until RGIII is ready to return. Even at that point, how will Mike Shanahan utilize Griffin? Will he be more cautious in his play calling? Will his usage of Griffin in the read-option be more judicious? It will be a difficult line to walk for Washington – how do you protect the legs of a mobile quarterback without curtailing his threat to run?

Brandon Marshall: hip issues

Brandon Marshall was targeted an astounding 188 times in the Chicago Bears offense in 2012, 2nd highest in the NFL. Marshall is one of the few clear-cut #1 wide receivers left in the NFL, with no standout secondary receiver behind him pushing for significant catches. Marshall has been bothered by a nagging hip injury this offseason, much to the chagrin of the Windy City faithful. Still, it doesn’t appear to be much of a factor, and you should consider Marshall primed and ready to start Week 1 of the 2013 season.

Hakeem Nicks: superstar or sidelined?

In 2010 and 2011, Hakeem Nicks was one of the most dangerous wide receivers in the NFL and the most reliable target for Eli Manning. Still, the injury bug that has kept Nicks from playing a full slate of 16 games in any season bit him especially hard in 2012, as the NY Giants‘ wide receiver struggled to a 53-catch, 692 yard campaign (199 yards of which came in Week 2). Nicks is still bothered by knee and foot issues, and must regain his health in order for the Giants’ passing attack to find success. If he can’t get healthy, Victor Cruz will see plenty of double-teams, and the issues that ground New York’s passing attack to a halt at the end of 2012 will only be exacerbated.

Maurice Jones-Drew: boom or bust

As a franchise, the Jacksonville Jaguars have been blessed and cursed by highly-gifted running backs who can’t stay on the field. First, Fred Taylor amazed (and was consistently hurt); now, that mantle is carried by Maurice-Jones Drew. MJD  played just 6 games in 2012, accumulating 500 yards of total offense. Compare that to his 2011 campaign, where he racked up 1,980 total yards of offense and 11 touchdowns.

If Jones-Drew (foot injury) can stay on the field for 14+ games in 2013, he will provide the Jaguars rushing attack with his patented jolt of electricity. If he can’t, it will be another arduous season for the Jacksonville offense.

Steeze is a lead writer for SidelineMOB.

Related articles

• Report: Rob Gronkowski Undergoes MRI on Back, Could Require Surgery on Disc Issue (nesn.com)
• RGII says everything “on cue” with RGIII’s rehab (profootballtalk.nbcsports.com)
• National Media Blasts the Redskins Over Rushing RGIII Back They Give a Pass to the Pats with Gronk (redskins101.com)