Javon Walker:

Walker tears ACL, to miss rest of season

ESPN.com news service

 

Brett Favre's No. 1 target will be shelved for the rest of the season.

 

Packers receiver Javon Walker injured his right knee in the third quarter against Detroit on Sunday and will miss the rest of the season, the Packers announced Monday.

 

"It was his ACL," Packers coach Mike Sherman said after the Lions won 17-3.

 

A torn ACL requires reconstructive surgery and anywhere from six to 12 months of rehabilitiation.

 

"Guys have to step up and replace a very high quality player," Sherman told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "I doubt he'll be back any time in the near future."

 

With Walker injured, the Journal Sentinel is reporting that Donald Driver will move from split end to flanker, Walker's position, and Robert Ferguson will start at split end.

 

Walker was hurt when he caught a 55-yard pass -- negated by a pass-interference call against him -- and was tackled by safety Terrence Holt.

 

As Walker lay on the turf, he grabbed his right knee. After trainers attended to him for a few minutes, he gingerly walked toward the bench. He was later taken to the locker room on a cart, once shaking his head from side to side. He did not return to the game.

 

Walker, Green Bay's top receiver, had four receptions for 27 yards against Detroit. He extended his streak with a catch to 38 games, including playoffs.

 

After threatening to hold out of training camp for a new contract, Walker reported. He said the best way to prove his worth wasn't to withhold his services, but to put his talents back on display.

 

He's due $515,000 this season, the fourth of a five-year deal he signed in 2002 for $7.485 million. The Packers refused his agent's overtures for a hefty pay raise or to shop him around.

 

Walker was Green Bay's MVP last season and earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl. In his third season, he led the team with 89 receptions for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdown receptions, all career highs.

 

Kris Jenkins:

Panthers Pro Bowl DT Jenkins has torn ACL

Associated Press

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina defensive tackle Kris Jenkins is out for the rest of the season after injuring his knee in the Panthers' loss to the New Orleans Saints.

 

Jenkins, a 2003 All-Pro, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, the Panthers said Monday.

 

Jenkins was injured when he broke through the line and tried to tackle Deuce McAllister in the backfield in the first quarter. He left but returned briefly in the third quarter, only to have to be helped off the field again.

 

Carolina coach John Fox said it wasn't clear if Jenkins tore the ligament in his knee on the first injury or the second.

 

The two-time Pro Bowler also missed 12 games last season with a shoulder injury, but declared himself fit last week and ready to return as the NFL's top defensive tackle.

 

Instead, he'll be sidelined again, creating a gaping hole on Carolina's vaunted defensive line. Jenkins' absence allows teams to increase their coverage on All-Pro defensive end Julius Peppers and severely hurts the Panthers' run defense.

 

Kindal Moorehead replaced Jenkins most of last season, but was inactive for Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Saints. When Jenkins was injured in the first quarter, the Panthers only had second-year player Jordan Carstens to fill in. Backup defensive end Al Wallace was sporadically used inside.

 

Jenkins was a late arrival to Bank of America Stadium on Monday, riding in just before noon on the back of a golf cart with a pair of crutches at his side. He smiled and flashed the peace sign, but said nothing.

 

 

Big time losses for both teams.

Huge.

 

God, I dont want to see Favre go out like this...

Looks like the Panthers D took a huge hit as well.

Walker gets hurt and doesnt get the money he wants. That sucks.

Field Turf should be banned, in fact all non natural grass should be banned, but hey what do I know. Poor Javon Walker, tough break for him, he's a great player.

 

As for Jenkins, losing him again is a ginormous blow to Carolina's aspiring Super Bowl hopes, he's the straw that stirs the drink on their defense.

Losing Jenkins is probably a big part of why Carolina lost...dang that sucks.

Im very upset at the Walker news still.. Probably because I'm a Packers fan but I feel we can live without him.. Not like we are going to the Superbowl anyways.