Football Has It’s Share Of Injuries This Weekend

Football took it’s toll on players at the professional and at the collegiate level this weekend.

One of the most significant injuries in the NFL is New England’s quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who took a big hit in the Patriots 31-24 win over the Miami Dolphins. With less than five minutes to go in the first half, his shoulder was driven into the turf  by Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso. Rookie Jacoby Brisset, who of course once played at the University of Florida, replaced him and finished 6 of 9 with 92 yards. Patriots coach Bill Belichick was pleased with how Brisset stepped up in the situation.

The Patriots were already working for wins without star Tom Brady and Garoppolo was filling in nicely, completing 18 of 27 passes for 234 yards and three scores in 25 minutes of game action. He went down to one knee but was able to walk off the field to the locker room and his status will be day-to-day as his AC joint sprain is assessed.

The Gator Nation also suffered a punch to the quarterback slot. Red-shirt sophomore and transfer Luke Del Rio went down after a low blow to the knees by North Texas defender Joshua Wheeler. Del Rio left the field with help from the training staff.

Injured #Gators QB Luke Del Rio's message to the fans pic.twitter.com/oKr9uuzvfJ

— Landon Watnick (@LandonWatnick) September 18, 2016

The hit had head coach Jim McElwain out on the field and voicing his displeasure towards the opposing side in outrage over the injury to his quarterback as tight end DeAndre Goolsby and offensive lineman Fred Johnson held him back. Following the game, McElwain said the hit was personal to him.

The left knee sprain put Austin Appleby, a graduate transfer from Purdue, in the starting spot. He helped the team finish the 32-0 shut out and is expected to start against Tennessee this Saturday. Florida will be able to rely on it’s four-headed running game and standout defense but questions remain over how long the Gators will be without Del Rio and if Appleby can keep the the positive start to the season alive.

The Minnesota Vikings’ running game was bruised on Sunday against the Packers after Adrian Peterson’s right leg was rolled up on as he was being tackled by linebacker Kyler Fackrell on a five-yard run late in the third quarter.

Adrian Peterson on crutches as he exits locker room with brace on right knee #Vikings pic.twitter.com/Zpz92qE5r0

— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) September 19, 2016

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said Peterson will have an MRI on Monday. The injury isn’t predicted to be too serious and it might keep him out for a week.

With backups stepping up to the challenge and return dates up in the air, teams and their fans are left on edge and hoping for the best.