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"Madden NFL 10"

From the ambulance to the X-rays, injuries in "Madden" have always been memorable. But have they been realistic? (If you're old enough to remember players like Jerry Rice getting run over by paramedics mid-field as they race to save an injured Brent Jones, then you know the answer.)

Well, the "Madden NFL 10" team has decided to change both the way players get injured on the field and the coaching decisions that revolve around said injury.

Updating his blog, Madden's lead designer Ian Cummings addresses the new injury system in the game, including these seven fundamental changes:

• Injury status/severity is delayed instead of immediate for more suspense and realism
• All new animations with trainers and injury carts are shown
• You are automatically prompted to let injured players play hurt (when applicable) or sub in the backup
• Players playing hurt have their ratings negatively affected (based on the severity of the injury)
• Players playing hurt have a (logical) risk of re-injury
• Players show that they are hurt with in-game injury animations like limping
• Re-injuries happen realistically instead of randomly."

Sounds like a much-needed fix to the game, and one that should help make "Madden 10" feel a lot more realistic, especially when a guy like Peyton Manning goes down and you have to decide if its better to put your injured star back in the game and risk further injury or take your chances with Jim Sorgi.

To read Cumming's full blog post, check out the Inside EA Sports Blog.