It is like a never ending story: another player out for the season. This time it was with the San Diego Chargers who lost Mebane (nose tackle) due to a torn biceps muscle. This particular injury is often indicative of training and the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
For example, the biceps is typically strong enough to withstand all the actions and stresses involved in football regardless of position. Most often when there is an injury or a tear to the biceps it is due to the use of steroids.
Understand that with steroids, which are very effective in increasing strength and muscle mass, the muscle gets much stronger than the supporting structures. In this case the muscle becomes much stronger than the tendon. In this case an imbalance is created and when excessive stress is placed on the muscle there is a tear.
The tear usually occurs in the tendon or junction of the muscle to the tendon. You can recognize the injury when you see the muscle up close to the shoulder, not close to the elbow which is more typical.
Training can also compound this problem especially when the training consists of high intensity work. This is the type of work that is usually associated with professional and many collegiate teams. When done in season, it is potentially harmful to the athlete because it leads to overtraining or more appropriately, overuse.
This is another example of how steroids have a positive value but yet a major negative value. With more scientifically-based training there would not be such a need for steroids, especially in sports such as football and baseball.
For more information see Build a Better Athlete.