Ropati Pitoitua Injury: Broken Hand Need Surgery, Will Play with Cast

September 30, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Jackie Battle (44) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Ropati Pitoitua (75) in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chargers won 37-20. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Akeem Ayers and Kendall Wright were the Tennessee Titans players who headlined the injury lists. Both players are expected to return before the Week 1 openers on Sep. 8, 2013. Wright sprained his knee while Ayers had negative X-rays on an ankle injury. Both injuries occurred during an Aug. 17 preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Another role player suffered his own minor injury. Ropati Pitoitua will have surgery on a broken hand. For precautionary reasons, Pitoitua will probably miss the Aug. 24 preseason game—also known as the dress rehearsal—against the Atlanta Falcons. Head coach Mike Munchak discussed the injury (via TitanInsider):

Ropati broke his hand. He’s having surgery tomorrow. It’s something he’ll cast and play with, but it’s going to limit him obviously. It’s going to be frustrating to have that type of injury. That’s something we didn’t find out about until after the game.

Pitoitua was brought in to provide assistance as a run-defender. At 6-8 and 315 pounds (ESPN), Pitoitua is a huge-bodied defensive lineman who will give Derrick Morgan and Kamerion Wimbley some needed rests. Pitoitua didn’t have much of an impact against the Bengals, who ran for 193 yards during the Aug. 17 preseason contest.

Hearing about this injury made me think of Pitoitua’s injury that ended his 2010-11 NFL season. During the preseason, the then New York Jets defensive lineman suffered a torn Achilles’ tendon injury. It was one of the most emotional and heartbreaking scenes from Season 6 of Hard Knocks.

Wonder what went through his mind the moment he was injured again? Good thing this isn’t anywhere near as severe. It appears like it’s a nagging injury that won’t sideline him for any regular-season games. The question is how much will it affect him or prevent him from completing his game-day assignments.

A lot of injuries but nothing too significant. How many more bullets will the Titans dodge? Although most players are scheduled to return for Week 1, are you afraid that these injuries will put these players behind for the opener?