Newbie needs injury advice

[Scruff]

My first post!

I just got the game, and I'm into week 6 of my first season (solo).

I'm using the 4-3 Bump & Run D, no blitz game plan described on this board extensively.

It's working pretty well - a definite bend-don't-break D. I'm giving up tons of yards but not many TDs. I have the worst run D in the league according to yards, but I'm still 3-1 and #4 in the power ratings.

Anyway, the key is having a monster D-Line. I drafted DT-Brees-DT-DE-DE with my first 5 picks in a from scratch draft.

Of course, I'm healthy all year, except the two DTs, the most important players on the team go down. My backups aren't very good, had to sign a free agent even and he's starting.

Now one is still out for a few weeks, but Shaun Rogers, my 88/88 stud is almost ready to come back. He's listed as probable, full strength in one week with a strained patellar tendon. When I click on the injury, it says he'll maintain a fairly high level of performance, but with a moderate risk of reinjury.

I sat him last week vs. the 3-1 Eagles in a huge division game, and managed to give up 399 yards but only a first drive TD and 13 total points. I got lucky in that Hasselback threw 3 picks in the last 5 minutes of the game and I ran one back for a TD for a miracle 20-13 road win.

So I'm sitting pretty at 3-1 and play a good Texans team this week (also 3-1) but it's a non-conference game. Should I play Rogers? Is the 'moderate' risk of reinjury something to worry about? I can't lose him for an extended period, or my season is toast, he's easily the most important player on my team.

Thanks for any help, sorry for the long-winded story, but I figured as much background as necessary would help.

[Ben E Lou]

Welcome to the board!

You may get different answers from others, but I always like to look at the long term. And in the long-term, no way you want to risk the career of your best DT over one game. Re-injuries have more potential to be severe, to the point of possibly being career-ending, or causing a large drop in ratings. I'd absolutely sit him.

[Scruff]

Thanks for the advice. I sat him for the Eagle game when he was questionable. But since he was upgraded to probable, I figured it might worth the risk. But since you say 'reinjuries' can be severe, I won't risk it. Let's hope my 18 run D DT can rise to the occasion for another week.

If it were the Super Bowl would it be worth the risk?

BTW - are you the same SkyDog that posts on the OOTP (Baseball or Boxing, can't remember) board?

[Vinatieri for Prez]

I look at the type of injury. If it's not a knee (or rotator cuff for the QB), I usually play him. So my advice would be play him.

[Scruff]

Thanks Vinatieri, but isn't the patellar tendon in the knee?

[Ben E Lou]

I look at the type of injury. If it's not a knee (or rotator cuff for the QB), I usually play him. So my advice would be play him.

Pssssssssssst!!!!! The patellar tendon IS in the knee.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Yes, I mean "sprained" knees.

[Ben E Lou]

If it were the Super Bowl would it be worth the risk?Probable? Yeah. I'd go for it to win a title.

BTW - are you the same SkyDog that posts on the OOTP (Baseball or Boxing, can't remember) board?Yes.

[Scruff]

Sprained Patellar Tendon - that's the same as a sprained knee I think . . .

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Ok, that one I would think about. The other is anything doing with the achilles tendon.

[henry296]

#1 don't play is Concusions.

[beargrowlz]

#1 don't play is Concusions.


Yeah, that's a potential career-ender in the game (and life-ender in rl). If he gets hurt again it's likely to be repetitive Concussion Syndrome and he'll be out over a year and then he'll retire, or become Mike Vick or something.
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