Tyjuan Hagler done for the year

by Brad Wells on Nov 4, 2009 1:41 PM EST in Colts News

Thanks to tenyardfight for posting about this earlier.

John Oehser is reporting that Tyjuan Hagler tore a biceps muscle during the 49ers game Sunday and that his 2009 season is over. Philip Wheeler, the man who had the starting job in pre-season before Hagler wrestled it away from him, is once again the starting SAM backer. Ramon Humber will also compete, and Cody Glenn was promoted from the practice squad.

For Hagler, this injury (which sound similar to the injury he had in 2008) is another set back. He'd signed a one year deal to return to the Colts in hopes of competing for his starting job again, which he'd lost last season ( presumably because of the injury) to Clint Session. Hagler fought back and was playing significant snaps in 2008 at WILL. After an off-season of little interest from other teams, Hagler returned to Indy, signed that one-year deal, and had to (once again) earn a starting job, which he did.

Now, this.

It's very sad for Hagler, but he can fight back again. He's the kind of tough-minded scrapper that the Colts really like, which is likely why they re-signed him this past off-season. Maybe they'll do so again.

For now, Philip Wheeler should do a good job. He played much of the 49ers game, and seemed to do OK (forced a sack on Alex Smith). Humber and Glenn are solid depth behind Wheeler, and Session has some experience at SAM as well.

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Damn It!

He was playing so well this year and we came so close to not having a super significant injury. please nor more of this! (knock on wood).

by metal_militia on Nov 4, 2009 1:49 PM EST reply actions

Damn

Hagler’s name isn’t mentioned much, which is a great thing because we’re not constantly calling for his head – see: Jennings. I hate that it reduces our options by one player – a starter at that – at an important position.

How can you not love a team that does this?

by LovinBlue on Nov 4, 2009 1:49 PM EST reply actions

Bummer

I hope he makes it back next year…….

by tim55 on Nov 4, 2009 1:52 PM EST reply actions

HOPEFULLY

Wheeler plays his butt off. Its sad to see such a hard working player suffer a serious injury.

by MARVININDY on Nov 4, 2009 2:01 PM EST reply actions

Too bad.

He was doing pretty well, but I’m actually a little excited to see what Wheeler can bring to the table. If we are going to use the LBs to blitz more this year Wheeler should excel. If he turns out to be the next Gilbert Gardner, we can always more Session back to SAM. This is unfortunate, but not a total disaster.

by invisibulman on Nov 4, 2009 2:38 PM EST reply actions

Next man up!

"If me and King Kong went into an alley, only one of us would come out. And it wouldn't be the monkey."
"I don't really trust a sane person."
"I never met a man I didn't want to fight." The one and only Lyle Alzado

by TRDean on Nov 4, 2009 2:39 PM EST reply actions

In 08 it was his pec

He needs to stop rupturing things.

by willyduer on Nov 4, 2009 3:20 PM EST reply actions

condolences

sorry to hear this…that time of year where we all are losing starters, and it is turning into a war of attrition. hope our survivors beat yours this weekend.

meaningful football games in '08...MAKE THAT 09

by do on Nov 4, 2009 3:28 PM EST reply actions

Sunday

First, it sucks that you guys lost a starting LB to injury. Believe me, all Texans fans completely understand what injuries can to to a team. Not to mention the fact that it doesn’t help in a league nicknamed Not For Long.

Regarding the game this Sunday, I’m curious as to what everyone here believes this will do to the Defensive strategy for the Colts. Obviously, we are a bit more of a passing team than running. So my first curiosity is how is the replacement in coverage?

If the Treasury Secretary doesn't have to pay taxes, then why do I?

by Shake on Nov 4, 2009 3:35 PM EST reply actions

Nothing.

Hagler was adequate but not special. I think the team will likely plug in Wheeler and not miss a beat.

by invisibulman on Nov 4, 2009 3:41 PM EST up reply actions

He had to win the starting job for something.....right?

I mean, there has to be some aspect(s) of the position that Hagler surpassed Wheeler in….especially since Hagler had to win the starting job from him.

But if you lost a starting LB in a 4-3 D that can be easily replaced off the bench, color me jealous.

If the Treasury Secretary doesn't have to pay taxes, then why do I?

by Shake on Nov 4, 2009 3:58 PM EST up reply actions

smarter, meaner, more consistent

Wheeler is young and will make mistakes. He’s quicker, though, I believe, which leads me to believe he might be more useful in coverage.

No matter, as I assume he won’t even be on the field that much, depending on how you guys deploy your receivers.

This team is not one of star linebackers. Brackett excels in coverage, but otherwise the LB corps has always been sort of interchangeable and generally no better than average. Losing Hagler isn’t like you losing Ryans or even Cushing.

by willyduer on Nov 4, 2009 4:03 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks Willy

So you’re saying he may occasionally bite down on PA or over-pursue on misdirection, but he’s more athletic than Hagler?

Sounds very similar to our WLB position. The backup (Adibi) is ridiculously athletic, but the starter (Diles) is consistent and doesn’t lend himself to the mistakes that Adibi has.

If the Treasury Secretary doesn't have to pay taxes, then why do I?

by Shake on Nov 4, 2009 4:07 PM EST up reply actions

Adibi

Lots of fans here wanted the Colts to draft Adibi.

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by Brad Wells on Nov 4, 2009 4:09 PM EST up reply actions

The difference is...

Wheeler is bigger than Adibi. I think you are probably right that Wheeler may over pursue given his athleticism, but he was a very strong pass rusher in college. Might be interesting to see if Coyer dials up some blitzes for him. I think Hagler won the job because Wheeler might be lacking in the field awareness category, but really there isn’t much separating the two in my mind. Wheeler certainly has the physical tools to be a solid SAM LB.

by invisibulman on Nov 4, 2009 4:29 PM EST up reply actions

That sucks

Best wishes to Hagler for a speedy recovery.

<pedanticbastard>
You do you know that “Sam” and “Will” aren’t acronyms, right? There’s no reason to spell them in all caps.
</pedanticbastard>

Never approach a vast undertaking with a half-vast plan.

by szquirrel on Nov 4, 2009 3:43 PM EST reply actions

I thought Wheeler played well in coverage

when he got the snaps. He’s also shown a bit of a knack for getting at the QB with quickness. But losing a starter is never a good thing. Poor Hagler, he seems to just have a predisposition towards rupturing muscles. Real shame, everybody liked his play this year.

That said, if this is our season-ending injury on D, I’m OK with that (yes, yes, I know that independent trials don’t work like that).

by slash196 on Nov 4, 2009 4:23 PM EST reply actions

Freddy Keiaho

what about Freddy? i think hes a better linebacker than Session or Wheeler so where has he gone? A backup? Hes too good to be a backup, anyone remember when he stopped Lary Johnson on the Superbowl run? 3 yards to go and a 5’11 linebacker stops a 6’1 runningback, this guy has got to get more playing time

by EdgeColts on Nov 4, 2009 4:26 PM EST reply actions

Keiaho doesn't fit the new system.

There was clearly a decision made to get bigger at LB and Kieaho is undersized at only 225lbs. Session by comparison is 235lbs and Wheeler at 240. If Wheeler really stinks it up, they might move Session back to SAM and Kieaho to WILL but I don’t think this is their first choice.

by invisibulman on Nov 4, 2009 4:36 PM EST up reply actions