Matt Slauson’s story could have ended much worse. His move from the roster to injured reserve caught most by surprise after the miserable spectacle that was the Thursday Night football game. There was not a lot of information readily available Margus Hunt Jersey , but it is now known that in the 3rd quarter of the game, Slauson broke two vertebrae in his spine. He played the remainder of the game. My first reaction to hearing that is that Matt Slauson’s toughness can never be challenged again. Anyone who can break two vertebrae and then just rub some dirt on it and resume hitting 300lb men is a tougher human being than anyone I know. I for one am greatly relieved that he didn’t suffer a worse injury during that time that could have paralyzed him. He seems to have realized in retrospect what a foolish decision it was to keep playing after the injury, although he obviously didn’t know the extent of it at the time.The loss of Slauson is big for the Colts’ offensive line as well. He has done a good job holding down the right guard spot, and while he hasn’t been perfect, his toughness, attitude, and leadership have been important in establishing a culture on this young offensive line that stresses the importance of keeping Andrew Luck upright. It is worth noting that the Colts asked him to stick around to be at practices and for preparation. Though he was signed to only a 1-year deal, the team wanted him to be an influencer on this roster. There is more to what has changed along this line than simply Matt Slauson’s influence, but it certainly has been something that the coaches feel is valuable. This kind of story just goes to show what players are laying on the line out there on the football field for our entertainment. Despite the league’s best attempts to make this game safer Cheap Braden Smith Jersey , it is a violent sport that has long term serious effects on the human body. Some of those changes have been good for the game and others not so much. It is hard to know if playing on a short week could contribute to this kind of injury. More than likely it is just the result of a freak accident. All the same, it is good that the story doesn’t have a much uglier end. Two days after their passing game went flat in the second half of a season-opening loss, the Oakland Raiders have brought back wide receiver Martavis Bryant.Bryant, who was with the Raiders in training camp after being acquired in a trade from Pittsburgh before getting released on the final day of roster cutdowns, signed a one-year contract and rejoined the team for practice Wednesday.Coach Jon Gruden said it's possible Bryant could play Sunday in Denver."I think he's in a good place right now," Gruden said. "He's healthy. I think he's ready to go. I'm sold on that. We've been in contact with him since he has been away. As I said when we made the trade to get him, when he's right he can be a difference-maker. We're hoping that he can be one sooner than later."The Raiders need all the help they can get after their offense sputtered and eventually stalled in a 33-13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.Quarterback Derek Carr passed for 303 yards and one touchdown but most of that came in the first half. After halftime, Carr only completed nine throws while wide receivers Jordy Nelson and Amari Cooper were held without a catch. The duo finished with a combined four receptions for 32 yards.The Raiders hope the speedy Bryant can help stretch the field and open things up for the other receivers."I'm glad he's back," Carr said. "With us we can be there for him Cheap T.Y. Hilton Jersey , help him with whatever he needs, and then he can help us go win football games. We obviously know what kind of talent he is. He can do things that other people just don't do. That's not a knock on them. That's just what God blessed him with, 4.2 speed with that kind of length."The Raiders traded a third-round pick to the Steelers to get Bryant in the offseason but the 26-year-old spent almost as much time in the trainer's room as he did on the practice field while complaining of headaches.There was also talk that Bryant could face a possible NFL suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.When Bryant was let go, however, Gruden insisted it was because he had been outplayed by other receivers including Keon Hatcher.Hatcher was waived Wednesday to make room for Bryant."One of the reasons he was outperformed is he was inconsistently available," Gruden said. "He was sick, he had lingering problems. But I think he's in a really good place right now and I've seen him in a really good place. When he's in a really good place he can be a really good player in this league."Bryant has 126 receptions for 1,917 yards and 17 touchdowns. He missed the entire 2016 season while suspended for a violation of the NFL substance-abuse policy.Cooper, who had one catch for nine yards in the opener and was targeted only three times http://www.coltscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-skai-moore-jersey , welcomed Bryant's return."He's going to really take the top off of defenses so we're excited abut that," Cooper said. "He's a guy who's really going to help open things up for us."Notes: The Raiders placed long-snapper Andrew DePaola on injured reserve. LB Shilique Calhoun was waived. Trent Sieg, who spent training camp with Baltimore, was signed to replace DePaola. . Defensive tackle P.J. Hall is wearing a walking boot on his left foot. He was injured on the first defensive series against the Rams. Defensive lineman Justin Ellis is nursing a sore foot. As a result, Gruden said the team is discussing possibly signing free agent defensive linemen Clint McDonald and Johnathan Hankins.__