There were three high-profile injuries in the preseason openers last night:

1. QB Michael Vick  – In the first quarter of the Philadelphia Eagles’ preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Micheal Vick hit his hand on the helmet of lineman Jason Kelce while throwing a pass. X-rays were negative and Vick is scheduled for an MRI today. Stay tuned to GmenHQ.com for details as they are released.
2. RB Ryan Matthews – In his first carry of the game, San Diego Charger running back Ryan Matthews broke his collarbone. He is undergoing surgery Friday morning and is expected to be out 4-6 weeks. Ryan missed four games in 2010 and two games in 2011. Ronnie Brown is expected to step into the starting roll until Matthews is healthy again.
3. LB Dane Fletcher – New England Patriots linebacker Dane Fletcher tore an ACL in the first quarter while running down the field covering a punt. He will not return this season. In the game, Fletcher was replaced by Dont’a Hightower and it is not clear who will play that position when the regular season begins.

Some blame the sport which made Seau the man he was.  His death has re-ignited the discussion about brain injury and its connection to dementia and depression.  Many connect Seau’s suicide to former Chicago Bears all-pro safety Dave Duerson who also killed himself with a self-inflicted gunshot to the chest.

Duerson’s final wish was to have his brain studied for evidence of trauma.  Boston University researchers found plenty.  According to the New York Times, a neuropathologist found “indisputable evidence” of chronic traumatic encephalopathy without “evidence of any other disorder.”  In plain English, the researchers believe they found a connection between Duerson’s football related brain injuries and his declining mental state.  Duerson is just one of many.  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/03/sports/football/03duerson.html

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Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood told the North County Times he learned of Seau’s death from police chief Frank McCoy. The Times reported that Seau, 43, was found dead by a housekeeper with an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound to his chest.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that police responded to reports of a shooting at Seau’s Oceanside, Calif., home. A 911 call reporting a possible suicide was made to police at 10 a.m. local time, a dispatcher said, according to the paper.

The 12-time Pro Bowl linebacker played for the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots from 1990-2009.

Except for that to happen he had to either clear waivers or hope that no team with a higher waiver priority than the Bears would put a claim on him. Well, that part of the equation didn’t happen as the Chiefs came in and claimed Orton.

This makes sense for the Chiefs as they are still in the hunt for the AFC West division crown at 4-6, and yes, that division is terrible, and Tyler Palko reminds people of Shane Falco. It shouldn’t take long for Orton to fall in love with Dwayne Bowe, as he did with Brandon Lloyd. Once Orton takes over the starting job it will make for an interesting homecoming when the Chiefs travel to Denver on New Year’s Day in Week 17, in what could be a game with playoff implications.

If you’re like me and kicking yourself for not picking up Kevin Smith last week, who went on to score 3 touchdowns, then take a look at the following players who should be available in your league to help you out for the playoffs

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