"Injury Impact"

It isn't even Week 1 and we are all ready experiencing the "Clinton Portis" injuries... studs who don't make it to the field without long-term nagging injuries. Here is a look at the injuries that you need to decide on, when drafting this coming weekend. There are several key players around the league that are experiencing the dreaded pre-season "bumps and bruises". Here is a list of the most recent, what impact they will have, and who may benefit from it.

Wide Receivers:

Tory Holt: Has experienced stiffness/swelling in his surgically repaired knee. This is HUGE as far as fantasy impact goes. Tory was a disappointment throughout the 2006-2007 for this very reason. This is one of a few top tier wide receivers that are on "injury alert".
Who Benefits: Due to this "foreseeable" situation, the St. Louis Rams signed free agent WR Drew Bennett from Vince Young and the Titans. The Titans expected to land Bennett, but was over-bid when they expected a home-town discount and essentially disrespected his league-wide value. Drew Bennett will have his best season (barring he too doesn't get injured). Also, Isaac Bruce, all 111 years, will see many touches alongside Randy McMichael in the endzone areas. Expect Brian Leonard to be used more frequently as a RB on the sidelines to pick-up key third and 5 or less.

"Plastic"-co Burress: This guy has been on "injury watch" since he entered the league, several years ago. He is nursing, not one, but two ankle injuries sustained during camp. With a shaky offense, worse defense, he would be a huge fantasy steal...IF HE WERE HEALTHY. He will go way to early in most drafts, including yours... if available in the 6th round or later, grab him...no loss there, but before that, there is simply too many other impact players that aren't injury prone.
Who Benefits: I have been talking about this kid for weeks... the other Steve Smith (Rookie out of USC). He gains the most benefit from Burress' history of injuries. He has impressed the coaches at camp and raised eyebrows in the web-community. Shockey will increase his workload and there will be more stuff'em football with the tandem of Brandon Jacobs and Rueben Droughns (by mid-season I expect them to be splitting carries ~ sorry to all of you who drafted Jacobs in the first two rounds)

Donald Driver: Here is another guy that can't keep his legs under him for a full season. Driver has spent at least one quarter of every season on the I/R. The offense is young an hungry, except of course for "He-who-keeps-his-team-hostage" (Brett Favvuvvuvuvre). At this point, it is a wait and see. Within the last two days, he has gone from a top 5 wide receiver to a six round pick, simply because of his injury. If you can get him as your number two wide receiver, say, fourth round or later, do it! He will recover and has been a fantasy stud without recognition for three years.
Who Benefits: There is no doubt that Greg Jennings appears to be the heir apparent when it comes to benefits, however, there is more too it than just that. Camp reports indicate that James Jones, a third round pick in the most recent NFL draft is creeping up on Jennings for the number two slot. If Driver is out, he is an outstanding sleeper pick and potential mid-season waiver wire keeper for the future. Remember the name or I will have to say, "I told you so" later on.

Marques Colston: WOW! What a rookie season, from seventh round pick, to TE/WR cross-over, to NFL rookie of the year contention, to Top 10 wide receiver rankings all over the fantasy world. He suffered lower leg issued late last year, got better, and now experiencing them all over again. Will New Orleans be the powerhouse offensively it was last year? Not with the injuries sustained throughout the organization (Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Deuce McCallister). Draft him high if you love him, get in the fourth round if you can, 5th/6th if your league is sleeping.
Who Benefits: The clear cut would be Devery Henderson, but he too is nursing injuries. Not only that, long forgotten WR David Patten, who went from Tom Brady's favorite target to lost in Redskin obscurity, to major injury, to fantasy sleeper for the gun-slinging offense of Sean Payton and Drew Brees. He is arguably their number two wide receiver without considering the injuries (or at least that is the "word on the street"). Watch the waiver-wire early on, especially if one of the two wide-outs can't get on the field...with Deuce nursing a knee injury, the offense will go to the air more than not, increasing Patten's fantasy impact.

Running Backs:

Deuce McCallister: He is not playing in the final pre-season game to rest his knee (not that he wouldn't have anyways). Is this a cause for concern? Not unless he is one of your top 2 RBs. If he is a reserve, he will heal over time, but for the first few weeks of the season, expect sub-par time on the field, touches, and fantasy impact...
Who Benefits: This is obvious. Reggie Bush. He will see increased touches down the middle as well as the work load we intended him to grow into. It will mean less chances for him to run back punts/kicks, but will increase his TD potential and 100 yd mark on the ground....with this kid, touches means TDs.

Jerious Norwood: He has been avoided early in the draft in recent weeks, mostly due to the uncertainty of the injury as well as the Michael Vick/Joey Harrington factors. Bottom-line, Dunn is old and worn out... He will most likely take away some touches when he becomes fully healthy (or at least as healthy as he can at his age) but the shift in touches will end in Norwoods favor.
Who Benefits: This is a great question. My answer is, the defense of whoever is playing Atlanta that week. Norwood's injury isn't serious, or not thought to be. I love him as a fantasy keeper and a third back on any depth chart. Draft him without fear... Harrington's ability to stay in the pocket will benefit everyone who touches the ball...if for no other reason that they will see the ball more as Harrington does not want to run around and become a highlight film.

Thomas Jones: Here is something that I have been talking about since the trade. Thomas Jones cannot stay healthy. Not even during training camp. The offense of NY has always focused around running (Curtis Martin). LaMont Jordan was never going to be the featured back, hence the travel to Oakland (how did that work out for him). I believe that he will see 10 TDs and 1200 YDs, however, it will be spotty as he will not see the field as often as his "high value" pick is rated.
Who Benefits: As far as RB touches, it is clear, Leon Washington, who was going to take away touches regardless. He is my favorite No. 2 of all the tandem running back corps. in the league...take that or leave it... he has sleeper/keeper written all over him. Additionally, Chris Baker (TE) will see increased work out in the slot, and Jerricho Cotchery is slated to become the new No. 1 in New Jersey once the season is out. (Coles has a habit of taking time on the I/R)

Michael Turner: Although it appears as a joint-sprain and not a high-ankle sprain, it is hard to predict how this affects the fantasy world. The replies show that it wasn't serious, but he didn't get up...but was carted off... I don't care who you are...that isn't good. I highly doubt he is up and running in two weeks, so there is some impact to be felt, especially for all you who drafted him as the back-up if L.T. goes down.
Who Benefits: This could be big for Darren Sproles. If your league allows Punt Return Yards/Kick Return Yards, then he has become big, at least early on... With the offense running smooth and Rivers really coming into his own, the benefit befalls those that catch. Gates & Jackson are sure to find the end-zone regardless, but could come up HUGE for you in weeks 1 - 4 due to this injury. How? When L.T. does need a down off, it becomes an air attack rather than using Turner's Burners to light up a defense.

LeDale White: Here is a real shock. A kid who came to the combine chunky and out of shape. Showed up at mini-camp last year AND this year no better, and has struggled to demonstrate anything that he performed at USC during his college hay-days. His injury appears to be minimal based on reports, but with someone like Whte, that could mean long-term trouble as his previously demonstrated ability to be lazy could mean a long mending process.
Who Benefits: Look at fantasy fans...it appears that Chris Brown went from sharing carries with White to potentially shouldering the load. This also means that Chris Henry might have a chance to sneak in and establish himself while LeDale is on the mend. Overall, I don't believe in the Titans defense, so the running game will be hampered by time on the field and playing behind for the majority of the season. Not to mention the increased Vince Young runs that are bound to grow, as the year progresses (no offensive line to speak of).

Travis Henry: The details of his injury are not yet known, but the initial prognosis is "not pretty". This is huge for fantasy owners who relied on Henry as their top 1 or 2 back... personally, he has always been an injury concern, even during his "breakout" year back in Buffalo, all those years ago. This is huge for Broncos fans, but the o-line and Mike Shanahan takes mediocre and makes them great; takes great and makes them unforgettable. Travis Henry, may just become forgettable if he doesn't toughen up.
Who Benefits: This is shocking to some considering Mike Bell's breakout year last year, splitting touches with Tatum Bell, but Cedric Cobbs is the name to remember on draft day. Slated as the number one back, he will see the most touches do to Henry's injury. Mike Bell is not in the good graces of the head coach. I wouldn't be surprised if rookie RB out of Texas, Selvin Young sees more touches than Bell initially. To fall out of Shanahan's graces is easier than earning your way back in. Look to Brandon Marshall, when healthy to benefit also from this injury (he will eventually supercede Brandon Stokley and Rod Smith on the depth chart as the number 2 WR.)

Tight Ends:

L. J Smith: The news from Phillie is that L.J. will not play the pre-season finale and doubtful for the season opener due to a foot injury. He has a chance to make a big impact with Westbrook planning on 20-25 traditional RB touches and no real depth at WR (Reggie Brown, Kevin Curtis).
Who Benefits: Brian Westbrook will be first to benefit as he will have to play more out of the backfield like the traditional setup of Westbrook's career to date, however, I expect Correll Buckhalter to see some good touches in the first week or two while Smith recovers, taking the conventional third and short, fourth and one touches to minimize the injuries to Westbrook. Call Buckhalter Westbrook's "stunt-double", handling the tough yardage, pound the ball up the middle substitute. Is he draft-worthy? Not unless Westbrook goes down (which is likely, so pay attention) Kevin Curtis will be bigger in the first two weeks (or until L.J. comes back), so play him early, trade 'em early. He is fast, but Brown will see all the worthwhile deep touches. Westbrook will see most of the short yardage passes out of the backfield.


I hope that this information proves insightful and useful towards your upcoming drafts and roster changes. If you would like more information, please be sure to check us out when the season starts. We are going to have a "INJURY REPORT" each Saturday to review before you set your lineups as well as a "WAIVER-WIRE WATCH" on Monday nights as the Tuesday deadline for roster add/drops typically occur. Until tomorrow, have fun, draft smart, and breath football.

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