I Dislike Your Favorite Team

After two preseason games, the dark clouds of major injuries have already gathered 'round several NFL teams. With two more preseason games to go, how many more teams will lose starters?

However, as bad as a dislocated elbow (e.g.) might hamper a player, at least no one on an NFL roster can be expected to get the Plague. One major reason is that New Mexico does not have an NFL franchise.

Cindy Roper became the fourth person to get the Plague in New Mexico this year. Likely infected by a flea bite from an infected rodent on her property, she was lucky to survive thanks to antibiotics and a relatively early diagnosis (after inconclusive spinal taps, tomography scans, MRIs and X-rays).

Over half of Plague cases in the U.S. occur in New Mexico, such as the recent case of the three-year-old who died from the Plague the same day she became sick and Mr. Tull in 2002 who had both his legs amputated at the knee because of the Plague.

Oh, by the by? Cindy Roper lives less than three miles from me.

Ring around the rosey
a pocket full of posies
ashes, ashes
we all fall down.

Nevertheless, here's some frightening news from the meat-grinder that is today's NFL preseason:

Denver Broncos have lost starting DE Ebenezer Ekuban to a season-ending ruptured Achilles tendon. Traded-for RB Travis Henry sprained his left knee in the Broncos' 31-20 loss to the Cowboys, but is expected to recover.

New England Patriots have lost DB Chad Scott for the year, gaping open their secondary and increasing CB Asante Samuel's bargaining power (he wants the moon and the stars). They addressed this issue by signing 83-year-old QB Vinnie Testaverde (no shit).

Baltimore Colts have lost DT Booger McFarland for the year (at least) with a blown kneecap.

Washington Redskins watched their starting QB Jason Campbell leave the game with a bruised knee.

Tennessee Titans won't have their bottom-feeding pass defense bolstered by losing CB Pacman Jones to a suspension for mad thuggery and CB Andre Woolfolk to a busted hamstring.

Philly Eagles have taken some major hits. DT Jerome McDougle is done for the year and All-Pro guard Shawn Andrews has an unspecified ankle injury which puts his season in question.

Arizona Cardinals LB Chike Okeafo will miss the season, likely a gesture of mercy.

There are certainly more injuries to starters on the way. However, none of these injuries is as bad as a visit from the Black Death. I may have to pull up my welcome mat.