Texan Mosaic

by: NICOLE TRUGILLO/Editor-in-Chief

Football season has begun, but some fans aren’t too happy about the outcome so far.

Preseason games aren’t that exciting, but it gives fans a chance to see their favorite NFL team in action. But how can you enjoy watching players of your favorite team suffering injuries after injuries?

While watching one of the Green Bay Packers preseason games, I became shocked and in disbelief when wide receiver Jordy Nelson tore his ACL against the Steelers. Then I became more appalled when I heard he would be out for the season.

Yes, I was upset because it happened to my team, and because Nelson is a major asset to the team. But then I began to wonder if anyone else would be upset if it happened to their team.

The Packers played more preseason games, and more injuries were sustained by players. Wide receiver Randall Cobb left during the game when playing the Eagles due to an injured right shoulder, and he did not return. Defensive back Micah Hyde left the game on a cart after injuring his neck, and starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga left as well because of an injured ankle.

Cobb is expected to be back and ready for the regular season. But what if he wasn’t? I began to see what other teams have had players suffer injuries during the preseason, and there has been several. From what I researched, at least 11 players so far are going to miss the entire season because of preseason injuries, with others out for weeks.

I understand that injuries happen, but it makes no sense when the injuries happen because of preseason games. It’s unbelievable! Sports “experts” have said that the injury report from this year is no different from last year, but that’s not the case. There are still a lot of injuries happening, so it doesn’t matter if the numbers haven’t changed. There are injuries happening because of preseason games, games that don’t even matter.

I am more upset by the fact that players are getting hurt from games that don’t even matter. If you’re going to get hurt, make it count for something, instead of preseason games.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suggested that preseason games should be played by touch football rules, meaning no tackling. I honestly think that’s a bad idea, because you still need to practice tackling, and the preseason is tied to training camp.

I have a solution for the preseason injury problem. I thought that maybe they could decrease he number of games. Preseason could exist for two games or three. But then I realized is two really enough? Also, what’s the difference between three games and four?

Since most of the games are played by second and third-stringers, and draft picks, I was thinking that maybe they could shorten the amount of time played. There are 15-minute quarters, and I think they can cut the time down. This is better solution than touch football.

I watch football, and I also understand it, which is why I’m so passionate about players being injured for no good reason. Preseason is over, and there is nothing anyone can do about it now. But it’s never too late to change the rules for next year.