The Turk makes his annual appearance -- cutdown weekend

[Poppa San]

While that is positive on one side it seems the risk of getting injured is higher on those plays.

Generally curious. Is there any data to back this up? KR/PR injured on returns that is.

 

[Mondio]

I know they've always said, special teams have a higher injury rate, but I think that includes all players. Not sure about returners specifically

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

With Davis on injured reserve the Packers don't have any other viable option than to use a player either contributing on offense or defense to serve as their punt returner. While that is positive on one side it seems the risk of getting injured is higher on those plays.

The risk of getting injured playing WR is there too. I guess I have never seen stats that indicate that it is higher, lower or the same for a Punt returner.

It is somewhat interesting that the 2 options that the Packers seemed to go into the season with, Davis and Rollins are no longer options. You would think with what used to be a 90 man roster, you wouldn't have to turn to your #2 WR. Maybe one of the younger backups on the current 53 is learning the job in practices, but I am still fine with Cobb doing it.

 

[HardRightEdge]

I know they've always said, special teams have a higher injury rate, but I think that includes all players. Not sure about returners specifically

I've never seen a breakout of returner injuries. As you say, the stats available are for "special teams" where injury incidence is high leading to the stream of rule changes.

We're left with anecdotes such as the following, which are not a lot of help:

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com...turn-injury-patriots-receiver-0912-story.html

That leaves the eye test and the nature of the job. There are guys flying at the returner from all directions, making him vulnerable to blind side hits where he cannot protect himself. There's gang tackling with low-high hits. On punt returns, there's the risk that a tackler, for whatever reason, does not honor the fair catch with the returner getting lit up.

The more aggressive the returner, the more likely he'll be injured, such as not fair catching with limited free run or a returner who cuts back rather than working to the sidelines.

I'm not sure returning kicks is more dangerous than running inside routes. On those routes, the receiver has to trust his QB is not going to lead him into a blind hit but that's not entirely preventable. I wouldn't be surprised if the incidence of concussions is higher on catches out of the slot.

Perhaps it is better to look at it in terms of probabilities: the more dangerous jobs a guy is given the more likely it is he'll be injured.

The fact returning typically falls to young players and specialists, with second contract starters far less common, says something. Amendola loves doing it which is the chief prerequsite. As for most established vets, whether by coaches decision, or player preference either explicitly or by evident business decisions on the field, they drop out of the returner roles.

Yes, all positions and roles on the football field are dangerous, some more than others. Returning kicks may not be the most dangerous but it's likely higher up on the list. Again, doing those jobs just raises the probability of injury.

 

[Mondio]

I think GB will work other return men out in games, just not these first 2 weeks. They'll pick their spots to give young guys a shot. Right now out of the gate these are 2 huge games against divisional opponents. No time for testing, big games get the tried and true . I was happy to see Cobb back there

 

[GleefulGary]

That reminds me, starting the season out with divisional games really sucks. Hate that.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

That reminds me, starting the season out with divisional games really sucks. Hate that.

Not when you win them both.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Generally curious. Is there any data to back this up? KR/PR injured on returns that is.

Unfortunately I don't have any data to back up my statement which is solely based on the eye test. I might be wrong about it though.

 

[RicFlairoftheNFL]

Let us speak of the greatness of Ted Thompson

4 years later, nobody's left.

 

[Mondio]

4 years later, nobody's left.

and yet you're still here, being wrong as usual.

 

[RicFlairoftheNFL]

I hit on more than you do kid, so maybe step back and re-think before you hit post reply

 

[greengold]

I’d say there are a **** ton of Ted Thompson era additions who made major contributions to this win. Not going to list.

Don’t know you Ric. Guessing your record isn’t great. You do have Flair.

 

[Mondio]

I hit on more than you do kid, so maybe step back and re-think before you hit post reply

I don't hit on anything, my wife is a divorce attorney. I may not be smart, but i'm not stupid either.

 

[RicFlairoftheNFL]

I’d say there are a **** ton of Ted Thompson era additions who made major contributions to this win. Not going to list.

Don’t know you Ric. Guessing your record isn’t great. You do have Flair.

Breaking the O-Line twice counts toward his record. As do his last 2 drafts. As well as Brian Brohm, and Justin Harrell.