2008 Injury Bug: Which Returning Players Will Make Biggest Impact in '09?

Many teams were hit by the injury bug during the 2008 season. Key components to an offense or defense were lost due to these injuries, most leading to a season of non-success. There are five worthy stars who were hit with injuries early on, and now, they are looking to make a comeback in 2009.

5. Shawne Merriman

San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman was decimated with injuries in the ACL area, which required season-ending surgery only a few weeks into the season.

Despite not being much of a factor last season, Merriman wants to make an impact on a Chargers defense that faced great trouble in 2008.

Though many people believe that Merriman is no longer a dominating player, from San Diego's perspective, his rehab did go well, and he should be ready for opening weekend.

While Merriman is considered a linebacker, he is one of the best pass rushers in the game, recording 12.5 sacks in the 2007 season.

Merriman's return improves San Diego's pass rush and their run defense.

4. Matt Hasselbeck

The Seattle Seahawks faced a disappointing season that was littered with injured players, one of them being quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

In the seven games he played, Hasselbeck passed for 1,216 yards along with five touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

The key to Seattle's success under new coach Jim Mora is the health of Hasselbeck. His return will be beneficial, especially since he can rely on a new No. 1 target, T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

Many experts have tabbed the Seahawks as this year's surprise team. If Hasselbeck plays up to his capability, playoffs will reign in the rainy city this time around.

3. Osi Umenyiora

The New York Giants were hit with the injury bug during the preseason when they lost Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora for the season.

Umenyiora's 13 sacks in 2007 led to the Giants' magical Super Bowl run.

With Umenyiora back, the team receives a dominant pass rusher alongside Justin Tuck, which the Giants lacked due to the retirement of Michael Strahan.

Look for Osi's return to be crucial for the Giants and their quest back to the Super Bowl.

2. Carson Palmer

The Cincinnati Bengals faced a horror show under backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who, for the first time in his career, was under center as a starter for 10-plus games.

The horror show was created by the injury to Carson Palmer, who was shut down quickly in 2008.

Palmer has shown strides as a quarterback; however, injuries have kept him from taking the next step in his career. With the loss of T.J. Houshmandzadeh, the Bengals are lucky to have Chad Ocho Cinco around.

Some scouts think Cincinnati is a sleeper in the AFC this season. 

As Carson Palmer becomes a legitimate candidate for Comeback Player of the Year, he shall rise to the top of the quarterback rankings as he has in the past.

1. Tom Brady

Everyone had to see this coming. Like him or hate him, the Patriots will rely on Tom Brady to take them to another playoff appearance, even though he is coming off an injury that led to multiple surgeries.

New England has come out and said Brady is doing well and will be ready for the season. Though it's hard to believe anything Bill Belichick says, the front office wouldn't have dealt Matt Cassel if they felt Brady would not be ready for the season.

Besides, all their weapons from the record-breaking 2007 season have returned. A running game could be in the works as well with the signing of Fred Taylor.

The hype around Brady's return is there for a reason, so I expect Brady will excel during the 2009 season.

Matt Miselis is a writer for BleacherReport.com. He is also a columnist for nfldraftbible.com along with being a Ravens writer for FanHuddle.com, which opens this fall.