Major Injury Comebacks of 2019
In light of Kevin Durant’s brutal attempt at a comeback in the NBA Finals and his subsequent very unfortunate and terrible re-injury, as well as the Eagles’ revamping of their medical staff, it’s time to discuss the injured impact players of last season that will be coming back (to much less pain than KD, we hope) to the team in 2019.
QB Carson Wentz
Of course, starting with the most prominent one. Wentz took time off to heal his back, after injuring it coming back from his 2017 ACL tear. He left the team with a 69.6 completion percentage, having thrown for 3074 yards and a 21:7 TD-to-INT ratio in 11 games, which are very good numbers, even with a limited supporting cast. The fourth-year passer returns to a much-improved offensive unit, with a brand new field stretcher in DeSean Jackson, new additions to the running back stable and another year under OC Mike Groh. The expectations are sky-high following his massive contract extension, and there’s no reason to believe he won’t live up to them.
DE Derek Barnett
Barnett was having a somewhat quiet year before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury, with only 2.5 sacks in six games. With his injury happening early in the year, the expectation should be for a full recovery, as well as him making a leap in year 3. Playing besides new D-Line colleague Malik Jackson, along with studs Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham should help him get back on track. The defense sure needs him to, as Chris Long’s retirement left the team very thin at pass rusher.
S Rodney McLeod
McLeod is an important cog at the backend of the Eagles defense, being such a rangy safety. He and Malcolm Jenkins (pay the man!) make for a formidable tandem, and his comeback will surely bring some stability to a position that saw many different unheralded players pass through it this past season. Even though Avonte Maddox was a revelation and an argument could be made for his stay at safety, the experience, and production McLeod brings cannot be counted out.
CBs Ronald Darby and Jalen Mills
Most teams take the loss and tank the season when 3/4 of their starting secondary go out for the season with injuries. Not the Eagles though, who still managed to nearly make it to the conference finals despite playing with rookies and players signed off the street in crucial spots. Mills and Darby were certainly missed for a good chunk of last season, but in the late stretches their replacements clicked and the DB play was very solid. Both will return with starter status, but whether they manage to fend off the likes of Rasul Douglas and Sidney Jones in the offseason to remain as such will be interesting to watch.
Overall, one can hope the new medical staff is able to keep these crucial guys healthy as the team gears up for another Super Bowl run. The Golden State Warriors certainly have the star power to make up for the loss of an all-timer to injury and still get the ring, but no NFL team (aside from the 2017 Eagles) can do the same.
Losing any of the players above would be a major blow, and one we would very much not like to see so here’s hoping for a healthier 2019 all around.
Featured Image: Scott Strazzante - The Chronicle
Discover more from Philadelphia Sports Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categorized:Eagles