Just as injuries during a season can affect a team's play, the return of an injured player can boost the performance of a franchise. Here then is a look at 25 non-running backs returning from their 2000 injuries that cost them at least half the season, and how they rate in terms of importance to their teams:

1. MLB Rob Morris, Indianapolis
Injury: quadriceps; 2000 games missed: 9

	Morris

Still too small upfront, the Colts need their 2000 first-round choice to become the tackling machine he was in college if they are to improve on their No. 25 ranking against the run. Morris is one of two first-time starters at linebacker on a young defense whose primary shortcomings weren't adequately addressed in the offseason.

2. OT Leon Searcy, Baltimore
Injury: quadriceps; 2000 games missed: 16
Gambling that he will return to the form that made him one of the game's best strongside tackle, the Ravens paid Searcy a $3 million signing bonus. So far the results have been mixed for the former Jacksonville star and '99 Pro Bowl performer. Coaches need to see more progress camp and, for now at least, the Ravens are thankful they held on to veteran Harry Swayne as an insurance policy.

3. WR Michael Westbrook, Washington
Injury: knee; 2000 games missed: 14

	Westbrook

The Skins acquired Kevin Lockett in free agency and drafted Rod Gardner in the first round but, even with an offense that won't throw the ball up the field as much, they desperately need Westbrook healthy. Since he took a paycut and can be an unrestricted free agent next spring, look for the moody Westbrook to respond with a big season.

4. FS Deon Grant, Carolina
Injury: hip; 2000 games missed: 16
The nation's leading interceptor in 1999 was penciled in as the starter last summer before a freak injury that could have ended his career before it really began. Grant hasn't run full-speed yet this spring but the Panthers staff has been encouraged by his progress and diligence. If he can't go, the team probably will have to move second-year pro Rashard Anderson over from cornerback, a switch that the Panthers would prefer not to make.

5. DE John Abraham, New York Jets
Injury: abdominal strain; 2000 games missed: 10
Whatever semblance of a pass rush the Jets had in 2000 disappeared when Abraham went under the knife. One of the team's four first-round picks, he had 4 1/2 sacks in only six games, a 12-sack pace, and displayed the kind of upfield explosiveness rookie coach Herman Edwards will put to use. For now, it appears Abraham will move from linebacker to weakside end in 2001.

6. TE Cam Cleeland, New Orleans
Injury: Achilles; 2000 games missed: 16
In the absence of Cleeland, a 270-pounder who can control the area between the hashes and split the safeties deep, coordinator Mike McCarthy had to scale back the role of the tight end. Too bad, since the design he implemented is conducive to success for a player of Cleeland's skill level. The New Orleans tight ends combined for only 26 receptions in 2000, the second-lowest total in the league, and the return of Cleeland provides another dimension for the burgeoning New Orleans offense.

7. LB Keith Brooking, Atlanta
Injury: foot; 2000 games missed: 11
The former first-round pick was leading the team in tackles, and showing he could be more than merely a runaround pursuit defender, when he tore a ligament in his foot. He underwent the same delicate surgery Staley and Rhett had and experienced some difficulty in practicing on consecutive days in mini-camps. As the best all-around athlete in the Atlanta front seven, Brooking has the potential to be a solid blitz-cover weakside 'backer provided he is healthy again.

8. WR Darnay Scott, Cincinnati
Injury: leg; 2000 games missed: 16
OK, so not even a healthy Scott will reverse the fortunes of the bungling Bengals, we agree. But as a pure burner who has averaged 15.7 yards per catch over his career, Scott has the potential to force defenses off the line of scrimmage a bit and thus create more creases for tailback Corey Dillon. And if secondaries have to again honor his deep speed and vertical stretch element, Peter Warrick will have more room to operate underneath. So far, Scott has eschewed any contact and he faces a big mental test when the live hitting starts.

9. C Mike Gruttadauria, Arizona
Injury: neck; 2000 games missed: 8
The former Rams starter isn't the most physical snapper in the league, but is heady and experienced and makes exceptional mental adjustments. In short, he's just the kind of steadying influence that a young line unit sorely needs to play up to its collective potential and Arizona coaches are relieved the early prognosis, which had this injury likely ending his career, was incorrect.

10. DT Junior Bryant, San Francisco
Injury: neck; 2000 games missed: 13
A versatile lineman whose selfless play is the perfect complement to Bryant Young, it is possible Bryant won't ever play again. An MRI exam in the next 7-10 days will determine whether he can return. If he does, the 49ers will have a very good interior rotation, with Young and Bryant joined again by free agent Dana Stubblefield. If not, the Niners will have lost an unheralded warrior and class act.

11. WR Patrick Jeffers, Carolina
Injury: knee; 2000 games missed: 16
With an inexperienced starter at quarterback, the Panthers will need all the offensive playmakers they can get. Jeffers enjoyed a breakout season in 1999, with over 1,000 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, then went down in the 2000 preseason opener. The good news is that his surgically-repaired right knee is making progress. The bad news is Jeffers required controversial "microfracture" surgery on his left knee, which wasn't revealed until mini-camp, and there are no assurances he will be cleared to go full-speed when camp begins.

12. MLB Charlie Clemons, New Orleans
Injury: Achilles; 2000 games missed: 16
The former Rams special teams standout and situational linebacker was handpicked by the new staff and signed as a restricted free agent last spring to bring stability and range to the middle. He remains relatively untested as an every-down player but New Orleans doesn't want to have to play Darrin Smith out of position again in the middle, and Clemons' recovery would benefit the entire unit.

13. WR Joey Galloway, Dallas
Injury: knee; 2000 games missed: 15

	Galloway

For an investment of over $12 million, the Cowboys got four catches, 62 yards and one touchdown last season. Galloway isn't quite the optimum complement to fellow burner Raghib Ismail, but he remains one of the NFL's most explosive deep threats. While his return probably won't be enough to save Dallas from what is likely to be a miserable season, Galloway is the kind of player who might benefit from new quarterback Tony Banks' propensity for the long ball. Plus owner Jerry Jones can't afford to keep sinking big money into unproductive players.

14. DE Raylee Johnson, San Diego
Injury: knee; 2000 games missed: 16
Just when Johnson finally flashed the pass-rush skills everyone kept insisting he had, with a 10 1/2-sack season in '99, he tore up his knee in preseason and never got the opportunity to build on that breakout campaign. He will get that belated chance in 2001 but, with the addition of Marcellus Wiley in free agency, is no longer regarded as San Diego's premier sack threat. It will be interesting to see if surgery robbed Johnson of his upfield burst.

15. OT Earl Dotson, Green Bay
Injury: back; 2000 games missed: 14
For five years, and despite virtually no fanfare, Dotson was one of the best rightside power tackles in the league and he'll try to recapture that status in camp. The veteran, who will have to compete with second-year pro Mark Tauscher for the starting job, is said to be pain free for the first time in two years. In his absence, Tauscher did a commendable job, but Green Bay coaches would prefer the youngster get another year of seasoning before committing full-time to him.

16. MLB Brian Simmons, Cincinnati
Injury: knee; 2000 games missed: 15:
As is the case with Darnay Scott, the return of Simmons won't instantly transform Cincinnati into a winner. And, fact is, he isn't even the Bengals' best linebacker, that distinction going to Takeo Spikes. But Simmons is active in the middle, has learned to cut through the trash to get to the ball, and makes a lot more plays than people think. Actually, he was probably healed enough to have returned by the end of last season, but being on injured reserve precluded that.

17. OT Adrian Klemm, New England
Injury: knee; 2000 games missed: 11
Light enough on his feet to have played tight end in college for a stint, Klemm nearly had his entire rookie campaign wiped out by a camp injury. He wasn't particularly effective when he returned but, since the Pats have not re-signed the venerable Bruce Armstrong, the left tackle job is Klemm's to lose. Only two starting spots are assured on a line being dramatically refurbished. If Klemm can't cement the left tackle spot, the Patriots might have to turn to a rookie. Given the beating absorbed by $100 million quarterback Drew Bledsoe, no one wants to do that.

18. WR JaJuan Dawson, Cleveland
Injury: collarbone; 2000 games missed: 14
No offense is as bereft of weaponry as the Cleveland unit, and quarterback Tim Couch isn't going to make that quantum leap without assistance from his wide receivers. Dawson isn't particularly fast, but he is the rare young receiver with an innate knack for creating separation, especially in intermediate areas. Blessed with good size, he can break tackles after the catch, but must get more consistent in simply catching the ball.

19. WR E.G. Green, Indianapolis
Injury: leg; 2000 games missed: 9 The Indianapolis staff is growing impatient with the three-year veteran, and with good reason. Although the Colts feel he is the answer to their problems at the No. 2 receiver spot, the former Florida State standout still is a question mark entering his fourth season. Green has missed 18 regular-season games during his first three seasons, has yet to catch more than 20 passes in a season, but coach Jim Mora doesn't want to give up on him yet. This camp, though, probably represents his last chance at redemption.

20. SLB Hardy Nickerson, Jacksonville
Injury: knee; 2000 games missed: 10
No longer the player he was even two years ago, Nickerson could provide veteran leadership and savvy if he is able to return to the field. The Jags were forced to shuffle the linebacker corps in 2000 when he went down and rookie T.J. Slaughter took advantage of the opportunity to nail down the critical middle spot. Nickerson has been slow to recover, and some question whether he will make it all the way back, and if he can be effective playing out of position at the strongside spot.

21. WR Rob Moore, Arizona
Injury: knee; 2000 games missed: 16

	Moore

The 11-year veteran probably would rate higher than this in importance had second-year pro David Boston not responded so well in replacing him, catching 71 passes in 2000. Much scrutinized quarterback Jake Plummer has an undeniable comfort zone with Moore, though, and the wide receiver could be key to his attempts to turn around a spotty career. Despite his age, the 32-year-old Moore seems ready to regain his stature as Plummer's "go to" receiver.

22. C Robbie Tobeck, Seattle
Injury: knee; 2000 games missed: 12
A self-made player, the former college defensive lineman and undrafted free agent doesn't have to be pointed to the weight room. His injury occurred last spring but Tobeck requested the Seahawks not place him on the injured reserve list, which would have ended his season, and he actually played in four games in the final month of the campaign. Tobeck is technically and fundamentally sound, has a nasty streak, and makes terrific blocking calls.

23. WR Bobby Engram, Chicago
Injury: knee; 2000 games missed: 13
The selection of David Terrell in the first round affords the Bears another deep receiver, but the team still needs the kind of possession guy Engram has been his entire career. Overlooked is that, even with pedestrian speed, Engram averaged 76 catches and 967 yards in 1998-99. Of his 152 catches, nearly 60 percent were for first downs. No matter who starts at quarterback in Chicago, he will be better off with Engram around to help keep the chains moving.

24. C Cory Raymer, Washington
Injury: knee; 2000 games missed: 16
No one seemed overly upset when Raymer was lost for the season, and inexperienced Mark Fischer did a commendable job in taking over for him. But the Redskins will have two new starting guards this season and need the kind of smarts Raymer provides to help galvanize a rebuilt blocking quintet.

25. FS Carnell Lake, Jacksonville
Injury: foot; games missed: 16
It's difficult to project just how much the 12-year veteran has left after missing all of the 2000 season. Lake doesn't make a lot of plays anymore, had zero interceptions in 1999, and his range is waning. His return might be more symbolic, his leadership skills more essential than his physical ability at this point.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.