Week 4 into Week 5: 2014 NFL Football Stephen Tulloch Knee Injury while celebrating a Sack of Aaron Rodgers. Cautionary Tale of Celebrating before the game has ended!!!

We are well into the 4th, going into the 5th week of 2014 NFL football season and everyone talking about their fantasy football teams. As we talk about every week on our "2 Pods and a Microphone" Podcast, injuries are a major focus. We always hear of players having concussions but there are definitely injuries of the lower limb that can keep players out for the season. My all time favorite knee injury I have ever heard of is the Detroit Lions Stephen Tulloch who injured his knee after celebrating a sack of Aaron Rodgers. I want to make it clear, that I never am happy when my fellow human hurts themselves after two knee surgeries myself after a way too long soccer career. But the way he did it totally deserves everyone to stand up and slow clap,  please see below and then you will understand!  

As of right now, we do not know the extent of Stephen Tulloch's  injury, and though his injury may not  be earth shattering to a fantasy football line up, it does raise the question of what would you do if it was your wide receiver or running back?  Below I have illustrated the knee joint and explain each of these ligaments. 

Here’s a quick explanation:

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL): It is one of the four ligaments that attaches the front of the tibia to the femur and it is located inside the knee. It prevents the lower leg from sliding out in front of the upper leg. Tears of the ligament often result from frontal impact on knee or thigh when the foot is fixed. A test used to determine if your ACL is torn is called anterior drawer sign because the leg will slide forward like opening a drawer.

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL): This is like the stronger brother of the ACL that helps hold the upper and lower leg together. This ligament prevents the lower leg from sliding out behind the upper leg. Injury usually happens by overextending the knee, such as a direct blow to the flexed knee or motor vehicle accidents (“dashboard injury”).

Medial collateral ligament (MCL): It is located on the inner surface of the knee connecting femur and tibia. Part of the ligament Stabilize the knee, promote locking of joint, and prevents the knee from bending inward. Tackling is a common cause of injury to this ligament.

As you can see with the picture to the above that the ACL and PCL cross each other inside the knee joint and that is why they are called the cruciate ligaments. I hope that this helps some people understand what it could mean for your fantasy football player.

Good luck to all:)