Matt Leinart and 3 Other Injury Replacements Thrust into Featured Roles

Any time a team suffers an injury it brings stress, especially for those in the middle of a playoff race. This season we have seen more than a handful of injuries to players who play a key role in their team's playoff hopes. However, every injury provides another player with the opportunity to step up.

Nobody wants the find success because of an injury to someone else. However, we have seen some top players emerge thanks to an injury. The best example might be Tom Brady, who only got an opportunity because of an injury to Drew Bledsoe.

Caleb Hanie, Quarterback, Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears are one of the NFL's hottest teams. They have seemed to put it all together, at least until the recent injury to Jay Culter. The Bears' offense was anything but great, still Jay Culter and the offense were starting to show some potential.

Culter's injury will likely keep him out the remainder of the regular season, thrusting Caleb Hanie into the starting role. Hanie is not just taking over as the starter, but also finds himself in the middle of a playoff run. The Bears need Hanie to keep things afloat until Cutler is able to return.

Caleb Hanie is an unknown quarterback, who has really one key appearance. Hanie took over for Jay Culter in last season's NFC Championship game, and did some nice things. However, many feel that Hanie will struggle to find consistency.

Chicago just needs Hanie to protect the football and let the defense and special teams win games. They have a stretch of very winnable games, facing the rest of the AFC West and the Minnesota Vikings.

DeMarco Murray, Running Back, Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys are a team starting to find their stride. They have rattled off four straight victories, looking impressive in each of the wins. A lot of the focus has been on the play of Tony Romo, but rookie running back DeMarco Murray has also had a major impact.

Murry filled in for the injured Felix Jones, and quickly earned himself the full time starting gig. He burst onto the scene with a 253-yard rushing performance against the St. Louis Rams. Murray has since continued to play at a high level.

If the Dallas Cowboys hope to make a strong run at the Super Bowl, they will need Murray to continue this success. Prior to his emergence, the Cowboys were having a hard time running the football. Felix Jones was expected to have a breakout year, but really struggled to find consistency.

David Diehl, Left Tackle, New York Giants

The New York Giants are coming off back-to-back losses, while losing first place in the NFC East. They need to quickly right the ship, or they could be on the outside looking in come playoff time. New York has a tough upcoming schedule including the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys.

Things haven't been made easier, thanks to the recent injury to William Beatty. Beatty is the starting left tackle, and will likely miss the remainder of the season with a detached retina. This is a major blow to an offensive line that has already seen its share of struggles.

Beatty wasn't playing at an All-Pro level, but his injury has weakened two positions. David Diehl will now shift to left tackle, with Kevin Boothe taking over at left guard. The Giants' offensive line is much stronger with Beatty in the lineup. It is now up to Diehl to protect Eli Manning's blindside.

Matt Leinart, Quarterback, Houston Texans

The Houston Texans have been ravaged by injuries to their major stars.

It started with a preseason hamstring injury to Arian Foster, which turned out to be the least significant injury.

Mario Williams was the next casualty, and will be missing the rest of the season.

That injury was followed up by Andre Johnson missing six of the teams 10 games.

The last major blow was to QB Matt Schaub, who will miss the rest of the season with a foot injury.

Despite all the injuries, the Houston Texans are in good position to earn their first playoff berth. However, their playoff hopes now rest on the shoulders of Matt Leinart. Leinart has already been labeled a draft day bust, but now has an opportunity to fulfill some of his promise.

The Houston Texans will continue to feature a strong ground attack, but Leinart will need to make plays. Thankfully, he gets to make his first start at the same time Andre Johnson returns to the lineup. The pieces are in place for Leinart to find success.