Offensive tackle Brennan Curtin was looking forward to getting back on the field Saturday night against the New Orleans Saints. The Packers' second-year player was out to prove to the coaching staff that he was deserving of the spot backing up Mark Tauscher on the right side of the offensive line.
Unfortunately, Curtin's second season with the Packers looks to be over before it really began. GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman said that Curtin is believed to have suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the win over the Saints Saturday. Further tests will take place Monday, and if the tear is confirmed, Curtin will be out for the year.
Curtin took the field with the rest of the Packers' second offensive unit in the second half Saturday, but was felled just five minutes into the third quarter. The 6-foot-9 lineman, the tallest player ever drafted by the Packers, was injured on a 12-yard pass from Tim Couch to Scottie Vines as he engaged Saints' defensive end Tony Bryant in pass protection.
Although Curtin was inactive and did not dress for any games during his rookie season, the coaching staff had high hopes for 2004 for the Notre Dame man.
"Brennan's had a terrific offseason and I'm looking for bigger and better things from him," offensive line coach Larry Beightol said earlier this summer.
Curtin performed well in the team's offseason program and two mini-camps, but suffered a setback at the start of training camp. Just before returning to Green Bay at the end of July, Curtin was afflicted with a boil on his thigh, and suffered a staph infection stemming from the malady.
The lineman was placed on the non-football illness list and was unable to participate at practice for the first two weeks of training camp. He returned to practice just last Wednesday, three days before the game against the Saints, and was on the field for just a few minutes before being cut down Saturday night.
