This is something you just don't want to see. In the grand scheme of things, the preseason is a somewhat meaningless slate of games meant to get teams ready for the regular year. While it is important for players on the roster bubble and new coaching staffs to understand how their scheme will fit in with their talent, the last thing anyone wants to see is injuries occur.
Unfortunately for the New Orleans Saints, this became a reality in the team's preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night.
Two different members of the Saints defense went down to injury in the first quarter. The most noteworthy being cornerback Brandon Browner, who was carted to the locker room after receiving a helmet to the knee:
While a report later indicated that Browner was able to walk off the field before being carted to the locker room, there is some obvious concern here. The type of injury you see above can easily result in some ligament damage—most notably to the ACL or MCL. There are no further updates on Browner's injury, but the Saints better hope his injury is not serious. He was being relied on to be the team's No. 1 corner after signing him away from the New England Patriots in free agency.
Linebacker Dannell Ellerbe also suffered an injury in the first quarter. The off-season acquisiton was able to walk to the locker room on his own power after what appeared to be a leg injury of some sort.