By Michael Stets
ALLEN PARK–Injuries are an unfortunate part of the NFL, and every year players are lost for the season before it even begins while playing during exhibition games.
This past weekend, in the Lions 30-28 loss to the New England Patriots, Julian Edelman went down in the first quarter with an ACL tear, ending his season. And on Sunday, Chicago Bears receiver Cameron Meredith also went down with an ACL injury.
Lions wide out Golden Tate was asked about both of the injuries earlier in the week.
“It’s unfortunate, injuries in the preseason,” Tate told WJR. “To me, it just seems like it always happens in the preseason more so than the regular season. I mean, that’s not really the case but man, for me, it doesn’t sit well to see other players get injured in a preseason game, you know? It’s like, man, you feel like you could’ve done something to help and to prevent it. And maybe you could of and maybe you couldn’t of, but I hate seeing guys, Edelman especially, a buddy of mine. And then not last year, but the year before that, [Green Bay Packers wide out] Jordy Nelson went down. So, it sucks to see that, man, and it’s definitely in your mind.”
Does the eight-year veteran ever think about the possibility of getting injured during the preseason?
“You really can’t think about it,” said Tate. “You gotta just kind of play the game. I feel like when you are thinking about it is when things kind of go wrong.”
However, after a game, Tate says he’s always grateful for his health.
“After a preseason game, I’m the first one to be thankful that I’m able to walk off the field the same way I came on it. You can’t take that for granted.”
Edelman’s injury was a non-contact injury while cutting on the Ford Field turf. Tate was asked if that concerned him at all, seeing as he’ll be playing on it at least another eight times this year.
“I don’t study it enough to say ‘hey this is the reason why’ or ‘this is not the reason why, so, I don’t know,” said Tate. “I’m going to say it’s probably just bad luck and maybe a little bit of fatigue on Edelman’s part because that drive he’d been working. I think he had … That might have been his third or fourth catch that drive. And all of those were big plays so maybe it was fatigue and it just kind of gave out. But it sucks to see, man, such a great player.”
When asked what he thought needed to be done in regards to the preseason, Tate felt it would be best not to share his thoughts, saying, “I know what I would do, but I probably shouldn’t say it.”
The last preseason game is usually reserved for the backups and reserve players, and now that the NFL teams no longer have to trim the roster down to 75 players like years past, there are plenty of bodies that can play in place of the starters, who will likely stay on the sideline, free from being exposed to injury. This game will essentially give the coaches one more chance to evaluate talent before the cut down to 53 players on Saturday, and the starters a night off.
After a rough outing against the Patriots last week, Tate said he’d like to see the Lions “bounce back.” For him and the other starters this game is pretty much meaningless, but for the players vying to make the team, it’s imperative that they play well and leave a lasting impression on the coaching staff.
“This is one more time to put it on film for the young guys. This is a huge game for those guys battling for a spot. I’m excited to see the guys go out there and ball out.”