5 Most Impactful Injuries of NFL Training Camp

NFL training camp is almost two weeks old, and many teams have been stricken with the injury bug. Multiple front offices will be challenged to infuse young talent sooner then expected to help replace the loss of established veterans.

While some injuries have impacted rebuilding teams, others have major implications on Super Bowl-caliber teams. This article will take a look at the five most impactful injuries, thus far, in training camp.

5. Percy Harvin, WR, Seattle Seahawks

After being traded from the Minnesota Vikings to the Seattle Seahawks this offseason, Harvin was looking forward to playing for a Super Bowl contender. The Seahawks gave up a first- and third-round pick to acquire Harvin and were excited to implement him in their offense. However, with the health of his hip in limbo, Harvin opted for surgery that will sideline him for much of the season.

While it’s hard to gauge the impact of this injury because the Seahawks' aerial attack was just fine without him a season ago, keeping pace with the much-improved 49ers in the NFC West becomes more difficult now. The Seahawks are hopeful that Harvin will be able to return by December and give them a big-play threat that is so important come playoff time.

4. Bryan Bulaga, OT, Green Bay Packers

Earlier this week, the Green Bay Packers received news that left tackle Bryan Bulaga was lost for the season with a torn ACL. Part of a Packers offensive line that let up 51 sacks a year ago, Bulaga was making the transition from right tackle to left tackle for the 2013 campaign.

At first, Bulaga planned on playing through the injury, much like Logan Mankins of the New England Patriots did in 2009. However, after a second opinion, he chose surgery, ending his season. The Packers will look to replace him with rookie fourth-round pick David Bakhtiari from Colorado, while keeping third-year pro Marshall Newhouse on the right side.

3. Dan Koppen, C, Denver Broncos

Like Bulaga, Dan Koppen is lost for the season after tearing his ACL last week during training camp. Denver boasted one of the top offensive lines from a year ago, and with the resigning of LT Ryan Clady, the Broncos were looking to build off that success.

The longtime Patriot, Koppen joined the Broncos organization last season and did a great job keeping Peyton Manning upright. Starting center, J.D. Walton is still questionable after breaking his ankle last season, which led to Koppen getting as much playing time as he did. Now, Denver will be forced to turn to Manny Ramirez (no, not that Manny) as the Broncos' top two centers are out.

2. Dennis Pitta, TE, Baltimore Ravens

Not only is Dennis Pitta Joe Flacco’s best friend off the field, he is his most trusted receiver on it. Pitta is lost for the season after dislocating and fracturing his hip during a red zone drill last week. The Baltimore Ravens are already without top pass catcher from a year ago Anquan Boldin (traded to the San Francisco 49ers).

With Pitta and Boldin both gone for the 2013 season, younger receivers like Tandon Doss, and Deonte Thompson will have to step up and fill the void. The Ravens have one of the best deep passing attacks in the NFL, but now will need help in the intermediate game, especially on third down, if they want to return to the playoffs for a sixth straight year.

1. Jeremy Maclin and Arrelious Benn, WRs, Philadelphia Eagles

While Jeremy Maclin is a much bigger loss for the Eagles, both WRs deserve to be mentioned here.

Maclin was entering the season with the hopes of putting up career numbers in Chip Kelly’s high-octane offense. However, during the first practice he tore his ACL. Maclin, only 25, is lost for the season, and the Eagles will have to rely on DeSean Jackson, Riley Cooper, Brent Celek and rookie Zach Ertz.

Arrelious Benn, who also tore his ACL, was acquired from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier this offseason. Benn was hoping to find his footing after the former second-round pick didn’t pan out in Tampa. The Eagles’ wide receivers have been the talk of the preseason, however, for all the wrong reasons.