2025 Injuries

[Harry]

If I were a player I’d be inclined to think no matter what I do injury-wise; I’ll be lambasted. If I’m still hurt and don’t play I may be called out for not being tough enough. I may be labeled “injury prone.” Even fluke injuries like Nolen’s second can prompt this. If I play injured I get attacked for not playing my best. When a team suffers the incredible number of injuries the Cards have I suspect there’s increased pressure to play even if hurting. Most of these athletes are highly competitive. For example, this would seem especially true of the CB unit. Watching Johnson play Sunday it was clear to me his mobility was hampered by his previous injury. He just wasn’t fluid like he’d been early in the season. Coming back most players also have a tendency to try, sometimes subconsciously, to protect a previously injured area. They just don’t play with reckless abandon.

Sometimes, when a player hasn’t suffered a major injury previously, they are never the same after that first major injury, even when they get full medical clearance. Guard Johnathan Cooper, first round 2013, suffered a broken leg in preseason. He was never the same player after that. It’s as if they realize they’re not invulnerable.

I’ve fallen into this criticism trap myself. Particularly this season, it’s easy to get frustrated. For all practical purposes, this season is over. I’d rather start fresh with these guys next season, hopefully with a new coaching staff. Then there’s time to make a call.

 

[slanidrac16]

It saddens me to see so many here claim that players are quitting.
We are talking about players who have been competing at a high level their entire life. They are performing in front of millions of viewers including family and friends. Do you think they want to be embarrassed by a lack of effort?

I can understand a player not being talented enough and I’m sure there are a small number of players packing it in at some point.

We might get aggravated when players get hurt more often than what we think they should. Will Johnson is the perfect example. He has star written all over him. Do we think he suddenly forgot how to play?

We are all suffering from CSS… Cardinals Suck Syndrome.