Packers Lose Collins For Season

Added on Sep 20, 2011 by Scott in

NFL

If the Green Bay Packers are going to repeat as Super Bowl champions they’ll have to do it without Pro Bowl free safety Nick Collins. Collins will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a serious neck injury this past Sunday. It’s still too early to determine if surgery will be needed and no recovery timetable has been set. The worst case scenario is it could end Collins’ career.

The 28-year-old was injured in the fourth quarter after colliding with Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart. While attempting a tackle, his head struck Stewart’s hip causing his neck to bend awkwardly. Reserve safety Charlie Peprah will take over for Collins.

“It’s definitely a punch to the gut,” said Peprah “We’re still trying to wrap our heads around it, because it went from thinking he was going to be OK to out for the season. It’s something that everybody’s just trying to get used to the news right now, and go from there.”

Collins is a three-time All-Pro and an integral part of the Packers defense. He’s recorded 21 career interceptions, including a game-changing pick-six of Ben Roethlisberger in the Super Bowl. Prior to this season he had missed only three games in six years.

This marks the second key injury to Green Bay’s secondary. Pro Bowl cornerback Tramon Williams was sidelined last week with a bruised shoulder, although he could return for Week 3.

Whoever takes the field, defensive coordinator Dom Capers has to tighten up the coverage. They’ve allowed over 400 passing yards to both Drew Brees and Cam Newton. Luckily, Aaron Rodgers leads a potent offense that has compiled 72 points and 800 yards through two games.

The Packers endured season-ending injuries to Ryan Grant, Jermichael Finley, Morgan Burnett, Mark Tauscher, Brady Poppinga and Nick Barnett on their way to reaching the Super Bowl in 2010, so overcoming adversity is nothing new for the defending champs.

Source: ESPN.com