Injury-Plagued Stars Who Will Cripple Their Teams' Playoff Chances

Injuries are an inevitable part of football, so it's not surprising to see players go down each game. Also, every team deals with injuries throughout the course of a season, so to some extent, everyone is in the same boat when it comes to overcoming adversity.

Then again, teams are not in similar situations, especially if a top playmaker is out. Kenny Britt was an emerging receiver for Tennessee early in 2011, but he was done three games in and the Titans managed just one more game of over 300 yards passing the rest of the year.

As for 2012, here are current injured stars on playoff contending teams that like Britt, will diminish their team's shot at the postseason.

Terrell Suggs: LB, Ravens

Despite an extremely unfortunate Achilles injury, Ravens' linebacker Terrell Suggs remains optimistic. In an article by Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, Suggs could be back by midseason:

"As far as my return, it's still the same as the original prognosis of four to six months," said Suggs. "I'm 29 years old," Suggs said. "I don't miss games. I'll be returning soon."

For Baltimore's and Suggs' sake, let's hope he doesn't miss too many games because the Ravens' schedule is brutal. Obviously the AFC North presents tough games, but Baltimore also has the entire AFC West and NFC East on board as well as the Texans and Patriots.

This may arguably be the most difficult schedule of the year and the Ravens could realistically be 3-4 heading into the bye week. Regardless of when Suggs returns (if he returns), it'll take at least a game or two for him to get acclimated, as any kind of injury can do that to a player.

And Baltimore's final half of the season isn't nice with Pittsburgh twice, at Cleveland, at San Diego, Denver, the Giants and at Cincinnati. With a 100 percent healthy Terrell Suggs, the Ravens have a rough 2012, but missing Suggs early on will cost Baltimore later in the year.

Jahvid Best: RB, Lions

Not presenting a solid running game is one reason the Lions had an early exit in the 2011 postseason. Their passing game is arguably the best in the biz with Calvin Johnson out wide and Matthew Stafford shredding defenses.

Still, an offense must have the capability to run the ball at will and Detroit couldn't do that as Jahvid Best was out before November. Now, according to Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official website, Best is expected to return healthy in June:

"

He’s been doing everything in the offseason program and we expect he’ll be cleared sometime probably in June,” [Martin] Mayhew told Mike O’Hara and Ken Brown on WJR Monday night. “We look forward to having him on the field.

"

A dual-threat back, Best can give the Lions' offense a distinct advantage in the NFC North if he's healthy. It may be a division controlled by pass-heavy teams, but the ability to dump off screens and use draw plays is where Detroit could keep defenses off balance.

With a skeptical defense on the other side, 2012 will again be up to Detroit's offense. Well, outside of the division, the Lions play tough defenses in San Francisco, Arizona, Seattle, Houston, Jacksonville and Philadelphia.

Therefore, the door is open for the Chicago Bears to challenge the Lions as the main contender to Green Bay. The Bears can run the ball and have a sound passing attack, so Detroit's playoff odds are reduced until Best can remain consistently healthy in the fall and put up impressive numbers.

LaRon Landry: Safety, Jets

Back in March the Jets signed LaRon Landry and according to Rich Cimini of ESPN New York, it's a risky but potentially rewarding move by Gang Green:

"

Still not 100 percent, he will be limited throughout the offseason.

It's a risky signing, but [Mike] Tannenbaum [Jets' GM] felt it was worth the gamble because Landry is a "dynamic" player.

"

The bad news is that Landry has played in only 17 games the past two years. So, the durability and conditioning to withstand a full season hasn't been proven since 2008 (played 15 games in 2009).

The good news though is Landry's production when on the field. In those 17 games he's accounted for 133 tackles, eight defended passes, two forced fumbles and 2.5 sacks. The Jets need a guy who can roll down for a blitzing linebacker, but Landry won't do Rex Ryan any good by not staying healthy.

Take the upgrades made by Buffalo and New England on both sides of the ball and the Jets already have their hands full in competing for the division. Now include other tough 2012 opponents in San Francisco, Arizona, Jacksonville, Houston, Pittsburgh and San Diego and the Jets will be lucky to contend for the AFC Wild Card.

Kenny Britt: WR, Titans

Through the first two games of 2012, Kenny Britt was dominating with 271 yards on 14 catches and three touchdowns. Then Week 3 happened and 2011 turned out to be a season to forget.

Now, according to Terry McCormick of the Titans Insider, Britt may have a second surgery:

"

Titans coach Mike Munchak confirmed that while no second procedure for Britt is scheduled at this time, the possibility still is there for additional work simply due to the type of injury Britt suffered in his right knee.

"

The Titans must make sure they get this decision correct because the lack of a consistent passing game is what hurt the offense in 2011. Running back Chris Johnson got off to a slow start and never got into rhythm.

Looking ahead to 2012, Houston is Tennessee's biggest division opponent. Elsewhere, the Titans have to play other explosive offenses like Green Bay, Detroit, New England and San Diego.

The addition of Kendall Wright certainly helps the aerial assault, but not having Britt from the get-go will force defenses to double Wright and lock on Nate Washington. Even if Johnson works well on the ground early on, the Titans won't be nearly as balanced if Britt remains out.

Tennessee has an opportunity to challenge Houston for the AFC South, but the absence of Britt creates unfavorable matchups where a defense can be more aggressive in preventing the Titans from being multidimensional.

John Rozum on Twitter.