NFL: 5 Players Guaranteed to Rebound from Injury-Riddled 2010 Seasons

It happens all the time.  A player who has produced at a high level is injured, and upon returning is never the same.

There are the rare players who can reinvent themselves, like Gayle Sayers, who went from fleet-footed elusive superstar to power-back superstar after his first debilitating knee injury.  Or Chad Pennington who, with Randy Moss, was part of one of college football's all time deep threat duos, but adapted to become the leagues most accurate dink-and-dunker after his shoulder was destroyed early in his NFL career.

Then there is the other side of the coin.  Players who see their seasons ended by injury, but come back as if nothing changed.  

Today we'll take a peek at five players who's fans shouldn't be worried about an injury decline in 2011.

Jermichael Finley

Finley was on the road to a fantastic season when he was felled by a torn meniscus on the second play of Green Bay's Week 5 match-up with Washington.  

In four games, Finley already had 21 receptions for 301 yards and a touchdown.  Green Bay had revamped its offensive scheme in the previous offseason to make use of Finley's presence on the field, and the results had to bring a smile to the face of Packers fans everywhere.

With Greg Jennings on the field with him, and a full group of good receiving options, Finley was still putting up very good numbers, and not just against doormat defenses.  Finley did face the Lions and the Bills before his exit, but he also put up 13 receptions for 162 yards against the strong Eagles and Bears defenses before he was injured.

While a torn meniscus is a serious injury, Finley's faithful should take heart that the injury seldom results in lasting effects.  

Elvis Dumervil

Elvis left the building early last year.  

After reigning over the NFL in 2009 as its sack king, Dumervil suffered a season ending torn pectoral muscle in early august while practicing in one-on-one drills.

The loss of Dumervil was devastating to the Bronco's already questionable defense.

But Elvis fans and Broncos fans everywhere can take delight in knowing that not only is Elvis ready for 2011, but he added 14 pounds of muscle to his frame to aid him in the move from outside linebacker in the Bronco's former 3-4 defense to defensive end in the Bronco's shiny new 4-3 model.

NFL quarterbacks everywhere just shuddered...

DeAngelo Williams

Williams, like the rest of the offensive roster of the Panthers, struggled in 2010.

After six weeks of play, Williams amassed just 361 yards, one touchdown and 4.1 yards per carry, all well below his usual production.

To make matters worse, DeAngelo suffered a mid-foot sprain in Carolina's Week 6 contest with the San Francisco 49ers, though the season-ending nature of the injury wasn't apparent until after some significant foot-dragging—no pun intended—by the Panthers staff.

Williams returns in 2011 a free agent who, much to the delight of the Panthers franchise and it's fan base, has publicly expressed a desire to stay—and retire—in Carolina.

Williams is reportedly probable to be ready for training camp, and given his drive and known work ethic, expect him to be a force in 2011 regardless of where he plays.

Tony Romo

The Cowboys season was already well on it's way to disaster when Romo was dropped in the Cowboys Week 7 clash with the division-rival New York Giants.

Romo wasn't exactly at fault for that disaster, though.  While not having his best season, Romo was still putting up good numbers, and his quarterback rating was an above-average 95.

Romo was leading a drive to extend a Cowboys lead early in the second quarter when he was hit after firing off a completion to Miles Austin.  His shoulder crushed into the ground and his season was ended by a broken clavicle.

Despite a possible battle for the starting job with athletically inferior but charismatic leader Jon Kitna, expect Tony Romo to make a triumphant return, starting and leading the Cowboys back onto the right path in 2011.

Matthew Stafford

2011 will be the year Matthew Stafford finally stays healthy and shows he world why the Lions drafted him first overall in the 2009 draft.

Stafford was injured (again) in the Lions Week 1 game against the Bears when he was sacked by Julius Peppers.  Stafford made his return in Week 8 against Washington but re-aggravated the injury the following week in the final minutes of a 23-20 loss to the Jets.

When on the field, Stafford has been very good.  Unfortunately, to this point, Stafford has rarely been on the field.

But he took this offseason to bulk up and add muscle to his already strong frame in an attempt to prevent future injury.  This bodes well for the Lions and their fans, as the team is much more dangerous with their young franchise quarterback at the helm.

Stafford's effort will help him survive this season and finally make good on the promise that made him a top overall selection.