Redskins Training Camp: Injury Bug Strikes Fear Into Fans, Players, Coaches

Two days of camp and already three injuries for the Washington Redskins. Two season ending knee injuries to Phillip Daniels and Alex Buzbee, and minor ankle injury to Fred Smoot. The injury bug has hit the Nation's Capital again.

Jim Zorn was very concerned when he saw three players fall on Sunday, but he could breathe a sigh of relief when Jason Taylor was acquired and Smoot returned to practice on Monday.

The talking heads on ESPN 980's The John Thompson Show expressed their optimism about the new developments taking place at Redskins Park, but they also tempered their enthusiasm, telling fans that an injury to a key player could derail postseason glory. Their warning rings true as fans, players, and coaches need to be prepared for the worst.

The higher expectations are, the tougher it will be to bounce back if those expectations are crushed. However, for the present all is well in Washington. Carlos Rogers took the playing field for individual drills on Sunday, which was a big step in the right direction after he tore ligaments in his knee last season.

Rogers wasn't expected to be ready for camp and was supposed to be placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list, but he underwent a rigorous rehab program in order to participate.

Smoot also returned as aforementioned and Zorn was shocked to see him back so quickly. "I want some of what he has," said Zorn, "I've had an ankle bother me for years."

However, the biggest story of the day was Taylor's arrival. Taylor made his appearance at Redskins Park in the late afternoon and went straight to his scheduled press conference. He came in and made it clear that he would be fulfilling his contract. "I am on board and will play out my contract. I will be here for more than one year," he said.

He added that he believed the Redskins were a contender as he commented, "The reason I play [this game] is to win. The Redskins organization gives me a great chance to win this year."

Taylor's presence certainly doesn't hurt the Skins chances, but fans have to remember to stay grounded because its only July and Championships aren't won until February.

In other NFL news, the Super Bowl Champion Giants finally traded Jeremy Shockey to the New Orleans Saints for second and fifth round picks.

This move should benefit both teams as the Giants acquired two draft choices while cutting lose a player who wasn't worth the trouble while the Saints scooped up a much needed target for Drew Brees.

Shockey never lived up to his rookie season and after his season-ending injury and the Giants subsequent Super Bowl run last year, he became expendable. Combine this with the shouting match he had with Giants GM Jerry Reese and it was only a matter of time before Shockey became an ex-Giant.

Brees was extremely successful throwing the ball to Antonio Gates in San Diego and Shockey gives him a chance to rekindle those days. Add Marques Colston to the mix and things could get a little more explosive in New Orleans.

Elsewhere, the Bengals' Chad Johnson backed off his holdout threats, but will be limited in training camp due to a sore ankle while the Rams' second overall pick Chris Long signed a deal in time to report to camp. The Eagles signed second round pick Trevor Laws and the Cardinals did the same with Calais Campbell.

Meanwhile Brain Urlacher signed a new deal in Chicago extending his stay in Chi-Town from four to five more years. That's the latest on the NFL. Tomorrow, I’ll have more training camp action.