Dusty Dvoracek Just Can't Stay Healthy

Dusty Dvoracek is the Cal Ripken of season-ending injuries.

You remember Cal, right? The Ironman who played in a record 2,632 straight baseball games, shattering the once-believed-unbreakable record held by Lou Gerhig. You could always count on Cal staying in the lineup. Jim Marshall is the NFL record-holder in the same category with 282 straight starts. Marshall won't be losing any sleep at the prospect of Dvoracek putting together a string of even a tenth of as many games in a row. As of Monday, the 28-year-old defensive tackle from Oklahoma has been shut down for the entire season -- for the fourth straight year.

This time, the culprit is a torn ACL in Dvoracek's right knee, a big blow for a guy who just can't seem to catch a break in terms of his own health. Dvoracek missed his entire rookie year (foot injury in training camp) and suffered a season-ending injury during the first game of his second campaign (torn left ACL). Last year, his third, he lasted a Favrian 12 games before going down with a torn biceps. All told, he's played in 13 games in four seasons.

When on the field, Dvoracek is actually pretty productive, a good motor who works hard and endears himself to teammates and coaches. The problem, of course, is he can't stay there. It's no fault of his own, though some might argue he's done some damage to his own body in the past -- he was redshirted at Oklahoma due to his alcoholism.

At some point, you have to wonder when Dvoracek decides it's not worth rehabbing and working your tail off only to come back and just fall injured again. He could likely catch on as a defensive line coach somewhere in college football, should he decide to retire at a very young age and refocus his attention. Beginning collegiate coaching before the age of 30 is a good way to ensure a bright future in the profession. This is all just pure conjecture at this point, though, as neither Dvoracek nor the Bears have ever hinted he's planning on leaving any time soon.

As for the Bears, they have plenty of defensive line depth to overcome this blow. Isreal Idonije can aid the trio in the defensive end rotation (Alex Brown, Adewale Ogunleye, Mark Anderson) or rotate in at tackle if need be. The Bears also have Tommie Harris, Anthony Adams, Marcus Harrison and Jarron Gilbert at tackle. To begin the season, it appears Harris will start and Adams or Harrison will be lining up alongside him.

Everyone mentioned above, however, will see time on the field for the Bears. They need to keep guys injury-free, and Dvoracek is a constant reminder of just how rough playing the defensive line in the NFL can be.