Obviously anytime you get your first NFL start, it's nice to go out there, make an impact, and leave your mark on the field.
Unfortunately it's also nice when the mark you leave doesn't sideline one of your team's best players.
 Devin McCourty reportedly suffered a separated shoulder thanks to a hit from Sterling Moore Sunday night. (FILE:Icon/SMI) |
That ended up being the case for Sterling Moore, who got his first NFL start thanks to the fact that Patrick Chung was sidelined after being unable to go as he continues dealing with a foot injury.
According to most reports Chung was out on the field hours before Sunday night's game and did what he could to play during the Patriots 37-16 win over the Jets, but he just couldn't go. That lead to an opportunity for Moore to get the start and get out on the field and hit someone.
And he did. The only problem is he knocked out one of his own players.
Moore delivered a brutal hit in the second quarter on teammate Devin McCourty, who was shaken up after he was drilled by Moore who crushed him while trying to put a hit on Jets wide receiver Plaxico Burress. McCourty already had Burress wrapped up, but Moore came in and ended up drilling McCourty's right shoulder. That knocked McCourty to the ground and bent Burress backward, and lead to the officials calling him for unnecessary roughness on a defenseless receiver, and the Jets picked up 15 yards on the penalty.
McCourty was on the ground writhing in pain, and later walked off the field hanging his right arm. He was replaced by Antwaun Molden, and then headed to the locker room. He never returned.
WBZ reported after the game that the second year cornerback suffered a separated shoulder, with several media members spotting McCourty wearing a sling after the game was over.
WEEI's Mike Petraglia later caught up with Moore in the locker room, who told him that he apologized to McCourty for the hit and also said that, "I probably owe him a dinner or something for that."
One would guess that it's going to take more than a steak dinner to fix this one. Although then again it's tough to put a price on an injury that may or may not require surgery, but will most definitely require at least some sort of rehabilitation after he's forced to carry it around in a sling until it heals.
Needless to say Moore definitely made his presence known Sunday night. It's just too bad that it may likely cost McCourty some time on the sideline until he's ready to return from this injury.
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