NFL fans normally have the same goal when it comes to their favorite team in preseason. That goal is to remain as healthy as possible for when the regular season begins. Unfortunately, in a highly physical sport like football, that often isn’t the case. Preseason injuries can be devastating for a team especially when they occur to players expected to play a major role.
Below are some of the season-ending injuries that have been suffered so far during the preseason. These are the ones that have been announced thus far by their respective teams. Several other Vikings players were carted off the field in their preseason game on Saturday (August 18), but the extent of their injuries have yet to be determined.
Offensive players
- Derrius Guice, RB - Washington Redskins
Guice will not play this regular season after suffering a torn ACL in the team’s preseason opener. It’s an unfortunate circumstance for the running back drafted 59th overall. Guise had to deal with sexuality questions during the NFL Combine.
Playing for LSU in college, Guice rushed for 2,638 yards and 26 touchdowns during his sophomore and junior years in 2016-17. He was expected to become the Redskins’ lead back from the get-go.
- Isaiah Wynn, OT - New England Patriots
ESPN has reported that the Patriots’ 2018 first-round pick, Wynn, tore his left Achilles on Thursday (August 16) in a game against the Eagles. He will miss his entire rookie season.
Drafted 23rd overall, Wynn was battling for one of the starting offensive tackle positions for New England. His drafting was necessary after long time left tackle Nate Solder signed with the Giants.
- Deon Cain, WR - Indianapolis Colts
A sixth-round pick this year, Cain sustained a torn ACL in the Colts’ preseason opener. He will miss his whole rookie season.
Playing collegiately at Clemson for three years, Cain caught 58 passes for 734 yards and six touchdowns last season.
- Cedrick Lang, OT - Minnesota Vikings
The 26-year-old Lang will be headed to injured reserve according to Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer as reported by SB Nation. His leg was rolled up in a preseason game on Saturday, and he will miss the season.
Defense
- Jeremy Cash, LB - Arizona Cardinals
A torn ACL and MCL has ended Cash’s season very prematurely. He received the significant injury in the Cardinals’ preseason opener. He has since been waived, and the team has added linebacker Gerald Hodges in his stead.
Cash went undrafted out of Duke and appeared in nine games for the Panthers from 2016-17.
Special teams
- Cory Carter, P - Buffalo Bills
In Friday's preseason game (August 17), Carter tore his ACL and will not punt this season. The 24-year-old punted at Texas Southern in college and was trying to beat out Colton Schmidt for the punting duties for the Bills.