Arian Foster, Peyton Manning and the 5 Most Notable NFL Week 1 Injuries

Injuries are things that affect every professional sportsperson. Some prove to be more durable and can play through them effectively, while others are forced to sit on the sidelines.

Every franchise will at some point suffer an injury to a key player, but it is how that team reacts to that injury that will determine the extent of it.

If you compare the Green Bay Packers' reaction to losing Jermichael Finley and Ryan Grant last year, and even Aaron Rodgers at some point, to Colts fans contemplating giving up on the season without Peyton Manning, you will see the various effects injuries have in sports.

Here are five that could turn out to be crucial in Week 1 of the NFL regular season.

Terrell Thomas

Terrell Thomas' season-ending injury was compounded by the injury to Prince Amukamara that had already sidelined him for most of the season.

Thomas' injury is the more significant because he would likely have remained the starter after being a huge player for the Giants last season. It may not seem vital considering the Giants start with a trip to Washington to face the Redskins, but the Redskins have some smart receivers that will be able to take advantage of any poor corner play this year.

Jabar Gaffney and Santana Moss have been excellent in the preseason, and if the Redskins' quarterback situation is even solid, the Giants could be facing an early upset.

Adrian Wilson

Adrian Wilson expects to feature in Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers for the Arizona Cardinals, but there is no chance he will be at 100 percent.

Wilson tore a tendon in his bicep and could potentially have missed the regular season had he looked to have surgery. He injured the arm when attempting to tackle Chris Wells in practice. Facing off against the Carolina Panthers, he will be in the box repeatedly as the Panthers look to pound the Cardinals defense with their very strong running game.

The fact is this injury coupled with Wilson's competitive attitude could easily be aggravated as soon as he steps on the field and end his season instantly. It makes more sense to me for Wilson to sit out for a few weeks or even the season because the Cardinals aren't exactly set to be Super Bowl-bound this year.

Maurkice Pouncey

Pouncey isn't likely to even miss the start for the Pittsburgh Steelers' vital matchup with the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1.

However, it is a worrying sign that he injured the same ankle that caused him to miss the Super Bowl last season. Pouncey's injury occurred on a simple play that happens often to linemen, as another player fell on his leg and contorted his body.

For the long term it is significant, as Pouncey is a vital leader for the team's offensive line, even in his second season. He will need to be at his All-Pro best and 100 percent from the start, as the Steelers face off against two huge bodies in Terrence Cody and Haloti Ngata in the first week of the season.

Arian Foster

Arian Foster's impact on the Texans' fortunes in Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts will actually not be as severe as many think.

Obviously Foster is an incredible talent and a vital piece of the Texans offense. However, the Colts defense is soft. Soft is the worst thing you can call a defense, and whoever of Ben Tate, Derrick Ward, Chris Ogbonnaya or Steve Slaton is on the field will be able to have a big day on opening week.

None of those players are Arian Foster, but the Texans' incredible run-blocking group up front coupled with their precision passing attack will allow them to overcome the Colts without him.

Peyton Manning

While the Houston Texans can easily overcome the loss of Arian Foster, the Indianapolis Colts have no hope of replicating what Peyton Manning gives the team.

The Colts have never had to do this since they drafted Peyton, as he has been perfect, starting every possible game he could since the first week of his rookie season. This year seems to be different, though, as Kerry Collins or Curtis Painter will likely be under center in Week 1.

Houston will have a huge advantage if Manning misses out or is significantly hampered by his injury because the Colts roster as a whole isn't in the best shape. In past seasons they may have been able to last a few Jim Sorgi games here and there, but the defense looks to be shambolic, so the offense needs to be firing in every game of the year.