NFL Sacks Leader Antwan Odom Ruptures Achilles, Out for Season

Well, it's never a good sign when a star player gets carted off the field, but occasionally they do that just as a precaution, right? At least that's what Bengals fans were asking themselves this afternoon. Unfortunately for them, and for star DE Antwan Odom, in this case it wasn't a precaution. The Associated Press reports:

Odom stayed on his back in pain after he got blocked while trying to get to Schaub. The medical staff looked at the back of his right leg and called for a cart to take him off the field.

Odom was the Bengals' top defensive acquisition after the 2007 season. The free agent from Tennessee signed a five-year, $29.5 million deal that included $11.5 million guaranteed. Things haven't gone well for him in Cincinnati.

He severely sprained his left foot during his first practice in training camp last year, an injury that lingered well into the season. He also suffered a shoulder injury that sidelined him for four games during the 4-11-1 season. Odom finished with only three sacks.

"I think when you lose Antwan Odom, it hurts," Palmer said. "That's a big-time pass rusher coming off the edge. We also were without other key guys, so it made it difficult."

Odom was tied for the league lead in sacks, and his injury represents the most significant adversity the Bengals have faced this year, in what's otherwise been a fairly charmed season for the team that fans are calling the "Cardiac Cats" because of their penchant for dramatic comeback wins. Odom, however, with what ESPN's Adam Schefter called a "terrible injury," won't be coming back anytime soon.