Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli was moved to injured reserve for the rest of the season following a knee injury sustained against Detroit that was initially thought to be an ACL tear, but turns out is a MCL tear. The fullback made the clarification in his weekly column running in the Charleston Post & Courier.
Mughelli is no less lost for the season by any means, but a MCL tear is a lesser injury compared to the ACL. Recovery time and the potential to achieve previous playing form are easier with MCL injuries. Mughelli describes his Eeyore type week after going down:
I cannot put into words how disheartening it is to be placed on injured reserve list. It's almost like you're not a part of team anymore. You start to question your mortality and how long you're going to be able to play this game at this level.
It took me a couple of days, maybe three, to get my head wrapped around the idea of not playing anymore this season.
I'll be honest, I was not a lot of fun to be around for most of the week. I pouted and was sullen and finally by Thursday night I'd snapped out of it.
It's just another challenge. It's just another obstacle that God has place in my path and it's one I'm confident that I will overcome.