As of this week, the NFL has completed week 7 of their 17-week regular season. Although the season is still early on, some teams are already being impacted by significant injuries. Affected players include Odell Beckham Jr, Aaron Rodgers, and JJ Watt. If these superstars are unable to play for the majority of the season, their teams will be left out to dry.

Rodgers suffered a broken collarbone during the matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers in October. The Packers are less of a passing threat to opposing teams since Rodgers’ injury could potentially keep him out of games for the remainder of the season. Rodgers stretched the opposing defense with his passing ability in a way that is only comparable to a few of the all time great players. Joe Callahan, Green Bay’s back up quarterback, has only had two years in the NFL, and has not played for the majority of his time. If the Packers want a chance at making playoffs, Callahan will have to step up big time in a way that will spark the offense into playing similarly to their plays with Rodgers.

During the October 8th Kansas City Chiefs v Houston Texans game, JJ Watt, Houston’s defensive machine, fractured his tibial plateau. Watt must resort to surgery because of this severe leg injury, which results in the second consecutive season that has ended early. The Texans will now, once again, have a giant gap in their defense. The team’s defense was nowhere near spectacular before Watt’s injury, but it’s looking glum for Houston’s beloved Texans without the heart and soul of that unit.

On October 8th Odell Beckham Jr., The New York Giants wide receiver, suffered a broken ankle while playing against Los Angeles Chargers. This injury forced Beckham into a season-ending surgery, damaging the New York offense. Brandon Marshall, another crucial scoring key for the Giants, is also out with an ankle injury. The Giants will have a hard time filling the gaps of these two major wide receivers for the 2017-2018 season. This team will have a slim chance of being successful this year if they can’t find another solution to spark the New York offense.

The 2017-2018 season has been as much entertaining as it has been disappointing, especially if you are a fan of one of the previously mentioned teams. These superstar injuries leave anticipation that only time can fill, but this year’s season is looking like it will be one for the books.