Friday, August 18, 2006

Around The NFL: Seau to Play? Stevens Hurt

Junior Seau announced his retirement on Monday. Four days later, the 12-time Pro Bowl linebacker appears ready to un-retire and try out for Bill Belichik.

The San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting that Seau will undergo a physical and could sign with the New England Patriots as early as Friday.

The Patriots' linebacking corps have been hit hard by injuries this summer. Starting inside linebacker Tedy Bruschi is sidelined with a broken wrist and fellow inside linebacker Monty Beisel has been battling injuries.

New England started Barry Gardner and Don Davis at inside linebacker with Larry Izzo and rookie free agent Freddie Roach as the primary backups in the preseason opener against Atlanta. That unit gave up 196 yards on 33 carries.

Seau was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Team for the 1990s and was named to the Pro Bowl 12 straight years from 1992-2003.

After an All-American career at Southern California, Seau was selected by San Diego fifth overall in the 1990 draft.

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The Seattle Seahawks' offense suffered a big blow when tight end Jerramy Stevens tore the meniscus in his surgically repaired left knee during practice.

Stevens is expected to miss the next six weeks, including the start of the regular season. A Thursday afternoon MRI revealed the extent of the injury. Stevens was scheduled for surgery in Seattle on Friday.

He was injured Thursday while trying to catch a pass from quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. Stevens emerged last season as a favorite target of Hasselbeck on third downs and near the goal line. He had career highs of 45 receptions and five touchdowns.

Itula Mili, who missed all of last season, will start in Stevens' absence.

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1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Nice report - the Seahawks should be a little concerned about Stevens. Injuries are becoming too regular with him. I blogged about Seau this morning - no player, veteran or not, can join the Patriots this late and fit right in. That defensive scheme is far too complex.