The question is: which players coming off the injury report are good prospects for the upcoming season? And, even more importantly, which ones are on the short list to avoid along with Jessica Simpson and New England Patriots’ ethics meetings? Without their health, football players cannot produce, no matter how talented they are, how great the supporting staff around them, or how perfect the situation. Checking the doctor’s report on this year’s batch of players with both questionable health and some fantasy relevance is the first step in evaluating their prospects for the season.

On the Stretcher

Player: Brandon Marshall
Team: Denver Broncos
Regular Season Games Played in 2007: 16

After a mishap involving “consensual horseplay”, a discarded McDonalds bag, and a large and very sharp television (and, just possibly, a lot of beer?), Marshall had off-season arm surgery. While his return is expected before the start of training camp, there was significant nerve damage in his right hand and forearm. Considering his history of stupidity, be cautious until he is actually catching balls with both hands in contact drills. Meanwhile, monitor the progress of free agent Keary Colbert who Mike Shannahan gave early praise on his approach to the game and athletic rookie Eddie Royal, who Jay Cutler said had much better hands than advertised.

Bum knees make Harrison a fantasy question mark in '08.

Player: Marvin Harrison
Team: Indianapolis Colts
Regular Season Games Played in 2007: 5

The 35-year old receiver had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee this past January. Interestingly, his left knee is the one that cost him eleven games last season. Throw in the NFL standard off-season night club shooting and Mr. Consistency suddenly has a lot of questions swirling around him. Reggie Wayne and Indy’s stable of pass catchers can carry the load if Harrison decides it is time to hang up his cleats. Anthony Gonzalez would be the short term solution and Roy Hall is developing at a pace that he might warrant consideration off the waiver wire.

Player: Deion Branch
Team: Seattle Seahawks
Regular Season Games Played in 2007: 11

A torn ACL will keep him out until at least mid-season. Expect him to start on the PUP list and, depending how quickly his rehab goes, end up either on Injured Reserve or possibly suiting up for the final few games of the season. Either way, he is a guy to monitor, not draft. That leaves Nate Burleson, Bobby Engram, and the Auburn tandem of Obomanu and Taylor to fill the void. Burleson has the hands, route skills, and ability after the catch to be an every down threat. Obomanu can stretch the field and Taylor is a bigger, younger version of Engram.

Player: Javon Walker
Team: Oakland Raiders
Regular Season Games Played in 2007: 8

Walker arrived in Oakland with a pair of cranky knees and an extra few pounds around his midsection. Not only does he need to get in shape, he has to prove to the world he can regain his former burst on a couple bum wheels. Throw in a beatdown that left him unconscious on a Las Vegas street Monday and you've got a receiver that's in a world of hurt. If your starters this year feature the fantasy connection of Russell to Walker, start hauling your crap down to the basement. But opposing defenses will be trying to take away the run and force Russell to beat them and that means Ronald Curry isn’t a bad mid-to-late round selection as a bye week option.

Player: Terry Glenn
Team: Dallas Cowboys
Regular Season Games Played in 2007: 1

When your team is demanding you sign an injury waiver before being allowed to practice, the end is near. Glenn wants to try playing this season, but may need season-ending surgery before the season even begins. No one is counting on the Dallas wideout to participate this year. His status is mostly significant because of its impact on Terrell Owens and Patrick Crayton.

The Walking Wounded

Player: Andre Johnson
Team: Houston Texans
Regular Season Games Played in 2007: 9

AJ had his troublesome left knee scoped in May. The team reported the procedure to be purely precautionary, but teams have been known to stretch the truth concerning these sorts of things. Johnson is currently on-track for the start of training camp, but will be missing all other team work. This probably won’t turn into a real problem, but owners considering Johnson as a top five receiver must keep an eye on that knee. Kevin Walter filled in admirably and watch the rehab of Jacoby Jones who, all too briefly, looked great in limited time last year.

Player: Plaxico Burress
Team: New York Giants
Regular Season Games Played in 2007: 16

Burress displayed amazing toughness playing through various shoulder, knee, and ankle injuries in last year’s drive to the Super Bowl. He is not expected to participate in any team activities until training camp opens as he continues to rehab his body and, even then, may not be at full strength. If he doesn’t get a new contract, his health may be a moot point, as Burress seems content to sit out until he gets paid. Steve Smith will get a chance to show he’s more than a possession receiver if the Giants don’t budge.

Player: Hines Ward
Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Regular Season Games Played in 2007: 13

Ward played through tears in his PCL, MCL, and meniscus last year, explaining his relative lack of production and further cementing his place as one of the toughest receivers in the NFL. He is still limited, but should be able to go full speed in the next few weeks. That many knee injuries and his location on the wrong side of 30 make for some lingering concerns until we see him cutting and taking some hits.

Discharged From the Hospital

Player: Braylon Edwards
Team: Cleveland Browns
Regular Season Games Played in 2007: 16

He suffered a hip pointer last month and missed a couple weeks of work. Edwards is currently practicing normally and is good to go. He is a virtual lock for another 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdown effort this season, assuming wonder boy Derek Anderson continues to shine.

Player: Lee Evans
Team: Buffalo Bills
Regular Season Games Played in 2007: 16

An offseason shoulder operation will limit him until training camp. However, he should be fine by then. If you have a burning desire to own one of the more talented and completely inconsistent receivers in the NFL, Evans will be ready for you. Enjoy those two monster games sandwiched between numerous three catch, 25 yard outings.

Player: Marques Colston
Team: New Orleans Saints
Regular Season Games Played in 2007: 16

Heading into his third year, Colston had arthroscopic knee surgery and minor hand surgery over the winter while rehabbing a chronically sore back from last year. Luckily, all these are minor issues and he is practicing fully, looking to be 100% recovered. His second year was highly successful with 98 catches for 1,202 yards and 11 touchdowns. If he has a third-year breakout, his numbers may truly be amazing.

Player: Roy Williams
Team: Detroit Lions
Regular Season Games Played in 2007: 12

Williams is fully recovered from the PCL tear suffered late last year. How the departure of Mad Mike Martz affects the passing game is the bigger question. Add in the standard Detroit player turnover and the annual Jon Kitna playoff guarantee and Williams should be able to squeak out another 1,000 yard season, although his owners would appreciate some more touchdowns.

Welker: Injury...what injury?

Player: Wes Welker
Team: New England Patriots
Regular Season Games Played in 2007: 16

In typical New England style, Welker missed the first couple days of minicamp with an undisclosed injury. He may have stubbed his toe or broken both legs and both would be “undisclosed”. It was probably nothing, but Bill Belichick loves his cloak and dagger injury report games.

Player: Joey Galloway
Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Regular Season Games Played in 2007: 15

Shoulder surgery will keep him from being a full participant at off-season activities, but he is expected to be completely recovered before training camp begins. Being 36 years old, Galloway doesn’t really need the extra snaps or abuse on his body. The fact that he is still far and away the best receiver in Tampa says a lot about their receiving corps.

Player: Calvin Johnson
Team: Detroit Lions
Regular Season Games Played in 2007: 15

The back injury that limited him for much of last year is still a lingering concern. Johnson was reportedly popping pain killers during games just to stay on the field. The condition is still there, but markedly improved, and hopefully will not restrict the second-year receiver who was good enough to average an impressive 15.8 yards per catch as a rookie.