Every year during NFL training camps and preseason there seems to be a few big time players who end up getting bit by the injury bug. In the past 60 days, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Osi Umenyiora, Jason Taylor, Chad Johnson, and a few others have all missed time.

Shawne Merriman and Chad Johnson have injuries that need to be operated on in order to heal properly, but as of now both men refuse to go under the knife. Merriman has two partially torn ligaments in his knee, and if he continues to play on them without surgery the results could possibly career ending. Shawne is willing to take the risk and be there for his team, sure this is admirable, but is it smart?

Chad Johnson fell awkwardly on his shoulder and tore the labrum (the tissue that helps hold it into the socket), but Chad is opting to play the entire season with the injury. When your labrum is torn it makes it very difficult to use full range of motion in your arms (which is sorta NECESSARY for a wide receiver). Does it make sense to try and compete with only 1 1/2 arms?