The number of the day is:

8-12, as in Andrew Bynum will miss eight to twelve weeks with a torn MCL. Its so fitting that this news comes on groundhog day, considering this is exactly what happened last year. This leaves the Lakers with basically two options; Sit and hope for his return, which the best case scenario is somewhere between the end of the regular season and the second round of the playoffs. Forcing them to move Gasol to center and Odom to the four, a starting lineup that helped propel them to the NBA finals. But we all remember how they were manhandled in the finals. So if the haunting memories of last years finals creep into Dr. Buss' and Phil's head, GM Mitch Kupchak will have to do his best Monty Hall impression. The best option here would be moving Odom and his expiring contract for a true big man, allowing Gasol to stay at his position of power forward. One of the more intriguing options here would be Brad Miller. A true center who can pass the ball and score when needed making him a great fit for Phil's triangle offense. Whatever the Lakers decide to do, it becomes more and more apparent that while Bynum is one of the more promising and talented players in the game he is one of the most injury prone centers in the game.

Tom Brady's Injury Update

During the second drive of the game against the Chiefs, Tom Brady completed a pass to receiver Randy Moss, who consequently fumbled after a 28-yard gain. But it turns out that the fumble wasn't remotely close to being the worst part of the play. Brady was hit low by safety Bernard Pollard (see: picture and If you haven't seen the video, think Carson Palmer in the 05-06 playoffs) causing Brady's knee to buckle. With help he managed to limp off the field, and from the news coming out it is amazing he didn't leave on a cart. According to Michael Silver of Yahoo! sports, Brady is expected to miss the rest of the 2008 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Two sources indicated it involved serious damage to the knee.

“It’s bad,” a team source said. “We’re going to have
to play without him.”

Tom Brady was replaced by backup Matt Cassell who completed 13 of 18 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown, but let me remind you they were playing the Chiefs. Alright so there are two major questions that have resulted from this. 1)Who do I replace Brady with on my fantasy team? 2) What are the Patriots going to do? Well I have no idea who I am going to replace him with probably Derek Anderson while the Patriots have a guy who has been a career backup in college and as a pro. Matt Cassell has not started a game since high school and trying to fill the shoes of a three-time Super Bowl winning quarterback is a monstrous task for a glorified clipboard holder. The Patriots realize that and according to what Al Michaels said, they are bringing in Chris Simms for a workout Monday. Simms likely would step in as the primary backup to Matt Cassel, that is, if Brady is done for the year. And if the rumors are true, has there ever been a more devastating/ season changing injury in the first week of the season?

NFL Rundown: Shawne Merriman likely out for the season

-On Saturday Shawne Merriman said he has two torn ligaments in his left knee and has been told by doctors that he could suffer a possible career-ending injury if he attempts to play without having surgery. Merriman stated that he has tears in both the posterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments. He said doctors agree that he needs surgery to repair the damage. He has not decided on which course of action to take. Merriman will consult with a doctor in Miami early next week before making a decision, Lights Out has been told reconstructive surgery would sideline him for the entire 2008 season. Another option is a less-invasive surgery that would allow him to play at some point in the season. I heard HGH was good for injuries, but all kidding aside this would be a tough injury for the Chargers to overcome on defense. There is not a guy on the Chargers roster that can fill his shoes.

-The Oakland Raiders lost 2 important players against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night. Fullback Oren O'neal and wideout Drew Carter both went down with injuries that will probably end their seasons. Both sustained left knee injuries. Drew Carter was battling with Ronald Curry for the starting spot opposite Javon Walker. Oren is a primary blocker on certain run plays and a core special teams player. This was not a good day for the Raiders march towards legitimacy.

-New York Giants Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora injured his left knee in the second quarter of the New York Giants’ preseason game against the New York Jets, but coach Tom Coughlin said that early indications are that he did not suffer ligament damage.X-rays taken during the Jets’ 10-7 win were negative. An MRI is planned on Sunday. With Strahan retired, this would be a devastating injury to the Giants defensive line.

-Redskins defensive end Jason Taylor went down with a knee injury on Saturday night against the Panthers.According to Adam Schefter of NFL Network, Taylor suffered no ligament damage. He was examined by Dr. James Andrews, who happened to be at the game. He walked off the field on his own, but he put little pressure on his right leg. The Redskins were dominated by the Panthers 47-3 but its only the preseason. The fact is their defensive line is in terrible shape because they lost two lineman (Alex Busby and Phillip Daniels) the first day of practice. Losing those two lineman is the reason they went out and traded for Taylor. If the Taylor injury is worse then a sprained knee, they could be looking at a very long season.