Torn ACL = Out for a Year

Originally Posted on 9/25/07

A torn ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) is one of the scariest words in all of sports. It means surgery, it means rehab and most likely it means you're out for a full year. In fact, a torn ACL may even be career ending... then there is the fantasy sports impact, which means you yourself might be out for a year!

In the past week we've seen two athletes go down with torn ACL's, Milton Bradley and Deuce McAllister. Now I've always heard things happen in threes so I guess we'll have to wait and see who else might fall to the horrid ACL injury bug but in the meantime, let's break down these two injuries.

Milton Bradley is a known hothead, which is why he's played for five different teams in just seven seasons. Each time he was traded (Montreal to Cleveland, Cleveland to LA, LA to Oakland and finally Oakland to SD). Each time it was due to his uncontrollable temper and overall demeanor towards life itself. He's had numerous on-field incidents but this time it caused the un-thinkable, a torn ACL from arguing with the umpire and not controlling his emotions. Sure the umpires may have been in the wrong but c'mon Milton, this ain't Monopoly, we don't have any community chest or chance cards to work with.

Bradley's injury really is a surreal scene, one that only Milton Bradley could conjure up.

See it live below
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lYHRiWZwBE

As for the Deuce, no freak injury here, just a normal football play that ended badly for McAllister and the Saints who continued their lack luster start by losing yet again to fall to 0-3 on the year. For Deuce, this is his second torn ACL. He was able to come back the first go around and become an excellent and productive back rushing for over 5,000 yards with New Orleans. However, this go around he's older and may not heal as quickly. McAllister also had some damage done to his MCL. Hopefully he can come back to full health but I can't help but remember Terrell Davis.

Now for the fantasy impact. For Bradley, it doesn't really effect this season as we're in the last week of the MLB year but for next year, Bradley may no longer be a keeper but instead a guy someone hides on his DL for a year... too bad for Bradley, he's a free agent at the end of the year and may not be able to find a home in 2008.

With Deuce, its entirely different. This injury might mean a lot of changes in all fantasy leagues and formats. Prior to McAllister's injury he shared time with the elite young star, Reggie Bush. Now with McAllister out (who was normally drafted in the 2nd to early 3rd round of most drafts), Bush will receive much more carries as a back and will no doubt be included in the offense on a more regular basis.

Lucky for me, I have Bush on both my fantasy teams! Good luck to me!