Mark Campbell, TE, BUF Injury: Off-season hernia and
elbow surgery
Insight: Campbell, who had right elbow surgery and sports hernia
surgery this off-season has recovered nicely from both procedures
and by all accounts he should be 100% in time for training camp.
Campbell complained of severe elbow pain and suffered through inflammation
for much of the 2003 season. It got so bad that he had to take Cortisone
shots prior to games. Needless to say, Campbell wasn't as productive
as the Bills would have liked. Now that he's completely healthy,
the team expects him to have a bounce back year.
Ernie Conwell, TE, NO Injury: Recovering from lower
leg surgery
Insight: Conwell missed the final 6 games of the 2003 season after
fracturing the fibula in his right leg and tearing a ligament in
his ankle. He had seven and a half screws surgically inserted into
his lower leg to help stabilize the fractured region and ankle joint,
and while he's only about 75% recovered the Saints medical staff
believes he will be back at full speed for the start of the regular
season. Conwell did experience soreness in is Achilles Tendon early
in his rehab, but his Achilles has grown a lot stronger and the
pain has subsided. Conwell has told reporters that he expects to
be ready for training camp, however he still has tremendous range
of motion and strength deficits which he needs to overcome and with
Eddie "Boo" Williams impressing everyone in minicamps,
there will be no rush to get Conwell back on the field.
Dallas Clark, TE, IND Injury: Recovering from lower
leg surgery
Insight: TE Dallas Clark took part in recent minicamp workouts with
his team at full speed and reported no problems with his surgically
repaired leg. Clark broke his right fibula against the Patriots
back on November 30th last year and had immediate surgery, but he
made a quick recovery and would have been given clearance to play
had the Colts reached the Superbowl. Its been 6 months since the
injury and Clark hasn't reported a single setback. In fact he has
praised the team's training staff for getting him back so fast and
he's looking forward to training camp. Marcus Pollard will officially
start the season as the Colts top TE, but sources close to the team
are looking for Clark to have a more productive year.
Tony Gonzalez, TE, KC Injury: Recovering from stress
fracture
Insight: The Chiefs recently revealed that Pro Bowl TE Tony Gonzalez
has been recovering from a slight stress fracture in his foot which
apparently occurred late last season. A recent MRI done on his foot
showed that the fracture was healing properly and while he could
practice if he had to, the team's medical staff is being extremely
cautious and they plan hold him out of team drills and workouts
until training camp. Nothing to be concerned about here guys. The
Chiefs will take every step to make sure Gonzalez will be at full
strength this season.
Bill Gramatica, KIK, NYG Injury: Recovering from herniated
discs
Insight: Gramatica played in only 4 games last season after injuring
his back in practice while kicking a ball prior to Week 5. He suffered
through pain and back spasms for several weeks before an MRI finally
revealed several herniated discs. The Cardinals training staff hoped
that a steady dose of treatment and painkillers would allow him
to kick but Gramatica was eventually placed on Injured Reserve a
month later. He recently signed with the Giants after the Cardinals
refused to tender him an offer and by all accounts his back is fine
and he's giving Matt Bryant a run for his money. It should be an
interesting battle and if Gramatica wins out, he could have value
as a backup kicker. Unfortunately he's been hurt a lot in his career
so that something to definitely consider on draft day.
Eric Johnson, TE, SF Injury: Off-season collarbone
surgery
Insight: Johnson missed the entire 2003 season after fracturing
his left collarbone in an August exhibition game against the Saints.
The 49ers were initially hoping that he would be back on the field
by Week 9, but the fracture did not heal as quickly as the team
had hoped and they had no choice but to place him on Injured Reserve.
Surgery was later required to put the collarbone back into is proper
position and while he's already able to run at full speed, catch
passes and lift weights the 49ers want to keep him away from contact
until his collarbone regains its full density and is completely
healed. If you are looking for a positive sign, the Niners did give
Johnson a contract extension while allowing Jed Weaver, the guy
who replaced Johnson last year to sign with the Broncos. It looks
like he will be fine guys, so make sure he's on your fantasy radars
this season.
Bennie Joppru, TE, HOU Injury: Recovering hernia surgery
Insight: After taking Joppru in the 2nd round of last year's rookie
draft, the Texans were hoping to see him push Billy Miller for playing
time. Unfortunately he began to experience discomfort in his groin
during training camp and it was later discovered that he had suffered
a severe sports hernia. It required season-ending surgery and he
spent the rest of the year on Injured Reserve. The good news is
that he's completely recovered and with his pass-catching ability,
he could become a big part of the Texans' offense. Miller is the
starting TE for now, but if he he gets off to a slow start look
for Joppru to step in and produce right away.
Joe Nedney, KIK, TEN Injury: Recovering from left knee ACL surgery
Insight: Nedney, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in
his plant leg during a field-goal attempt in Week 1 last season,
was finally given clearance on May 17 to resume kicking and by all
accounts he has looked terrific. In fact, he told reporters that
he feels a lot stronger which he attributes to his extensive rehab
and has proved it by kicking 50-yard field goals at the end of every
practice. Nedney still receives cryotherapy after practices as a
precaution, but he should be at ful strenth for the start of training
camp.
Jeff Reed , KIK, PIT Injury: Off-season arthroscopic hip surgery
Insight: Reed began kicking footballs for the first time 2 weeks
ago after a 4 month layoff following off-season hip surgery. The
Steelers kicker had been bothered by hip pain as a result of torn
cartilage since 2001 but doctors felt it didn't require surgery
until the end of last year. During the arthroscopic procedure, doctors
not only removed a piece of torn cartilage but they reinforced a
damage ligament. Reed did undergo extensive rehab, but he's already
back kicking 50-yard field goals and has said that his hip feels
fine. The only problem he is having is with the ankle on his plant
leg which has been sore, but Reed attributes the soreness to his
long layoff and he expects everything to be in order for the start
of training camp. The Steelers did bring kicker John Markham as
insurance, but don't expect to him to more than a backup this season.
Jeremy Shockey, TE, NYG Injury: Off-season arthroscopic
knee surgery / partially torn PCL
Insight: Shockey missed the final 9 games of the 2003 season after
partially tearing the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in his left
knee. Surgery was not initially required and team physicians determined
that the ligament could heal on its own however during rehab several
months later Shockey began to experience additional discomfort in
his knee. An MRI was ordered and while it showed a completely healed
ligament, it also revealed loose bodies and cartilage within the
knee joint. Shockey did undergo minor arthroscopic surgery to clean
and debride the knee joint and he was able to walk out of the hospital
a few hours later. He's now completely healed and according to head
coach Tom Coughlin, he has spent more time working on his conditioning
and in the weight room than any other player on the team so expect
him to be in great shape for the start of training camp in late
July.
Ben Utecht, TE, IND Injury: Off-season surgery to
repair a groin tear
Insight: Colts rookie TE Ben Utecht
underwent surgery on May 18th to repair a torn groin muscle which
occurred during his senior year in college. By all accounts the
procedure went well, however Utecht is expected to miss 3 - 4 months
which means he won't be ready to return until at least the middle
of August. Don't be surprised if begins the 2004 season on the Colts'
Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.
Philip Gentles isn't just the founder,
co-owner, webmaster and senior writer at ProFantasySports.com,
he also holds a degree in Sports Medicine, Board Certification in
Athletic Training, and has been working with athletes and sports
injuries for over 8 years. This combination of fantasy experience
and medical know-how is what makes ProFantasySports.com the only
place to get the best in accurate injury information and fantasy
advice.
