This is the second in a series of pre-season
articles that will provide you with in-depth analysis of key injuries
for the off-season and their resultant implications on fantasy
football. This information comes straight from my perspective
as a Physical Therapist and Athletic Trainer for ten years. Over
this time, I have seen almost all the injuries that can happen
in this violent sport on the college level and how to treat them.
Hopefully, this gives you a little more insight on certain injuries
and what to expect. This week I will recap the running back position.
Player: Marion Barber
Injury: Dislocated 5th Toe
Games Missed in 2008: 1
Healing Time: Approximately 4 weeks;
healed now
Impact on the Field: This injury
is not the real issue here. The real concern is Barber’s inability
to handle a full load. Because of his desire to initiate contact,
he also leaves himself susceptible to ferocious hits and the increased
likelihood of injuries. The dislocation of his toe is well-healed
by now and has not prevented him from training for the upcoming
season. But, because he is unlikely to stay healthy, look for
Felix Jones to take away some carries. I think Dallas envisions
a similar situation as when Julius
Jones was there. They are looking for someone to take the
early carries and then have Barber wear-down the opponent as the
game goes on. Those of you who have Barber in a dynasty format
will watch his value go down because of this scenario. He should
still keep his goal-line duties but becomes another better than
average option for the platoon systems that are becoming more
prevalent around the league.
Felix
Jones: Looking to shed the injury bug this season.
Player: Felix
Jones
Injury: Big Toe Dislocation/Turf Toe
Games Missed in 2008: 11
Healing Time: 12-16 weeks
Impact on the Field: Must be something in the water with toe injuries
in Texas. When one injures the big toe, it can be a devastating
injury. The big toe is responsible for the push-off phase of running
and controls the initial descent of the foot and body once it
hits the ground. It is also of the utmost importance in planting,
cutting and any weight shifts that must occur with changing direction.
Felix Jones had surgery to re-stabilize the ruptured ligamentous
structure of the big toe. He is back on the practice field and
has regained his explosiveness. I would expect that this injury
is fully healed now that this injury is approximately 6 months
old. As I stated above, I expect the Dallas backfield situation
to change. Felix Jones is someone that I think will be a bit of
a sleeper because he has tremendous talent in a good offensive
system. He will be a nice option later in your draft. The problem
with him is that his ceiling is limited because of the presence
of Barber and the expected split in carries. There is nothing
worse than having a timeshare system and owning the running back
that does not get goal-line carries. However, he is a good receiving
back and is a threat for long touchdowns because of his speed.
Player: Brian Westbrook
Injury: Arthroscopic surgery to his knee; ?high ankle sprain;
removal of bone spurs
Healing Time: 6-8 weeks
Games Missed in 2008: 2
Impact on the Field: He is always
banged up, but for the most part, plays the majority of the season.
He has had problems with his knees for years now. He has had multiple
“clean up” surgical procedures on his knees secondary to all the
wear and tear he has endured. He is someone who is going to need
a knee replacement in 20 years due to all the injuries to his
knees. I would bet my life savings that he misses a few games
next year because of swelling in his knees. That is what caused
him to miss time the last few years and I am sure he will miss
more because of it. Because the cartilage in his knees is compromised,
there is bone exposure to each surface resulting in a chronic
inflammation. He also has a high ankle sprain that is limiting
his mobility and causing pain. The high ankle sprain can heal
in 3 months so he has plenty of time to get this injury taken
care of and it is not one that will linger. Once it is healed,
it is healed. Lastly, he recently underwent removal of bone spurs
in his ankle. This is also of the clean-up variety similar to
the knee procedure. Removal of bone spurs is a benign procedure.
No big deal. But, these injuries are starting to add up. His age
is a concern and he is now 30 years old, but I would take the
gamble on him that he is again very productive. The Eagles have
an excellent offensive line and have threats on the outside and
at TE in Brent Celek to keep the defenses honest against the pass.
Westbrook is far too talented to not be a big part of the offense.
Just know he will miss some games.
Player: Steven Jackson
Injury: Torn Groin
Healing Time: Healed
Games Missed in 2008: 4
Impact on the Field: Jackson should be fully healed by this time
of the year. Torn groin muscles can take 8-12 weeks to fully heal
because they are critical to allow for cutting and maximal speed
required by the running back position. Jackson has been one who
is constantly “dinged up”. I was once told long ago
from one of my mentors that athletes who did not train hard enough
exposed themselves to minor strains and sprains. It has been speculated
that he is one of those athletes and resultantly always misses
a few games due to injury. The other factor to consider here is
his running style. He is a big, tall guy and his upright style
allows him to take on more contact and thus exposing himself to
more hits from opposing defenders. The Rams are in full rebuild
mode but are looking to be competitive enough to attract a potential
buyer to be the new owner of the franchise. Jackson will be the
centerpiece of the offense and will be given every opportunity
to excel. Jackson is a player that I believe will be very motivated
to play this year and I think you will see him fully healed and
rather well prepared for the upcoming season due to some of the
front office changes. Look for him to be one of the top 5 backs
this year.
Player: Reggie Bush
Injury: Microfracture surgery of the knee
Healing Time: 6-8 months
Games Missed in 2008: 6
Impact on the Field: Bush’s whole career so far has been
plagued by injury and lack of production that was expected from
his illustrious college days. Some could say that the expectation
level was too high and unrealistic. But, with the type of talent
that was displayed at USC, one would expect more. His knee surface
probably looks like a waffle iron instead of a smooth, round surface
like it should. He unfortunately has had multiple surgeries which
have exposed the two bony surfaces because his cartilage has been
shredded. Over time, the two bones rub against each other causing
a divot in one of the bones. Thus, microfracture surgery is performed
which means that a surgeon digs deeper in the bone to make it
bleed and hopefully cause regeneration of the joint surface and
cartilage. Bush can still be productive but the days of him being
a superstar are probably gone. He will be sharing carries and
can still be a threat, but I am not sure he will get enough carries
as a running back to warrant the value if drafted in the early
rounds.
Player: Rashard
Mendenhall
Injury: Broken Scapula
Games Missed in 2008:
Healing Time: 8-12 weeks; healed now
Impact on the Field: Do not sleep
on this guy. He was one vicious hit from Ray Lewis to making a
major contribution to the Steelers’ offense. Willie
Parker is in his last year of his contract and can never stay
healthy. Therefore, the potential is there for Mendenhaal to make
a big splash. The injury that he suffered is kind of freaky. Basically,
the right hit at the right time occurred to get that bone to break.
He has been present at the Steelers’ training facility since the
off-season began and has been able to train fully. I am expecting
that he takes the majority of the goal-line carries and by mid-season
becomes the lead back.
Player: Darren McFadden
Injury: Turf Toe
Games Missed in 2008: 3
Healing Time: 8 weeks
Impact on the Field: As I stated in my explanation with Felix
Jone’s injury, this can be a miserable injury to endure.
The problem that occurred with Mcfadden is that he tried his best
to play through the injury and it just can’t be done successfully.
One is an awkward twist away from causing more damage and pain
to the joint which means that playing football is very difficult.
He also has had ample time to heal and looks fluid and smooth
in OTA’s. The beat reporters for the Raiders think he is
going to take the job away from Justin Fargas and I also would
anticipate that. You should really see his explosion on display
this season.
Player: Willis McGahee
Injury: Knee surgery for cartilage clean-up; ankle pain
Games Missed in 2008: 2
Healing Time: 1 month
Impact on the Field: One unlucky hit in the fourth quarter of
the NCAA championship game did this career an injustice. He was
set for superstardom. He was 225 pounds and ran a 4.4 forty. He
had it all as a running back. The tear of his ACL and resultant
numerous surgeries after that initial injury, has left his knee
a mess. That unfortunate twist of the knee caused him numerous
complications and shortened his career. That knee has never been
right. He came back and has been productive, but that extra gear
was never recaptured. Now, he is in jeopardy of losing his job
to Ray Rice. Rice has put on weight and is much faster than Mcgahee
and can do it all as an every down player. I am sure Mcgahee will
still get his carries, but he can’t stay healthy and he
is not as talented as Rice. Mcgahee should be viewed as no better
than a fourth fantasy rb. The upside is just not there.
Player: Laurence Maroney
Injury: Broken shoulder
Games Missed in 2008: 13
Healing Time: 12-16 weeks
Impact on the Field: Tough to say exactly what happened here.
As stated in previous articles, you have no idea what injury really
occurs up there in New England. A broken shoulder is a broad term
and can have various prognostications. The fact that he missed
the entire season after week 3 indicates that it was probably
severe. His age is on his side and I am sure he is fully healed
by now. The question remains though, what is his role? He was
drafted because he was a perfect fit for their scheme. He is fast
enough to take it the distance on any carry and physical enough
to bang inside. Injuries have been the only concern. It seems
that New England, like everyone else, will be heavily reliant
on a platoon system. Maroney can’t be counted on as a lead
fantasy back. Buyer beware.
Player: Matt Forte
Injury: Hamstring pull
Games Missed in 2008: 0
Healing Time: 2-4 weeks
Impact on the Field: Absolutely zero. This injury happened at
the right time. He will get all the treatment he needs and will
be 100% by the time training camp opens. He is a hard worker and
will be tough to keep off the field or weight-room for that matter
over the next few weeks. But, he will be fine and will warrant
enough touches to continue as a #1 back in the Bear offense.
Player: Joseph Addai
Injury: Arthroscopic knee surgery
Games Missed in 2008: 0
Healing Time: 2-4 weeks
Impact on the Field: This injury
came out of nowhere. Addai must have been having knee pain resulting
from a torn meniscus and needed surgery to remove the tear. He
will be fine by the start of training camp and this injury should
have no impact on his availability for the start of the season.
He also may find himself in some sort of time share when he does
return. The Colts drafted Donald Brown with their first pick and
people have speculated that he is the heir apparent to the running
back throne of the Colt offense. Brown is a hard worker and does
possess some skills, but I think this train needs to slow down.
Addai has been very productive when healthy. I believe he is the
more valuable back now and will prove to be as the season goes
on. Addai has been a goal line threat and will continue to get
the majority of the carries because he is bigger than Brown. I
am going the other way on this one and I like Addai to have a
bounce back year.
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