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by Philip
Gentles
ProFantasySports.com
7/24/03
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Stephen Alexander, TE, San Diego Chargers
Injury
Specifics: Strained Groin
Fantasy Status: Alexander was
held out of June and July workouts because of a strained groin muscle
and will be limited during the first few weeks of Chargers training
camp. He'll probably be fine for the start of the regular season,
but don't be surprised if this becomes a chronic problem this season.
Alexander is full of talent, but he's never quite delivered on all
the expectations. He closed the 2002 season on a tear so there is
(again) that hope that this year will be THE year, but don't count
on it. Leave this overrated player for someone else.
Drew Brees, QB, San Diego Chargers
Injury Specifics: Recovered From
Leg Surgery To Remove Calcium Deposits
Fantasy Status: Brees, who had
off-season surgery in June to remove calcium deposits on his leg,
has already been given clearance to participate in Chargers training
camp. Barring any setbacks, Brees should enter this season as a
decent number 2 fantasy QB. Sure he needs to throw the deep ball
with more consistency, but he won't have to work hard with the newly
acquired and ridiculously conditioned David Boston running downfield.
Michael Bennett, RB, Minnesota Vikings
Injury Specifics: Recovering From
a Second Surgery to Repair Fractured Foot.
Fantasy Status: Bennett is expected
to miss anywhere from 2 - 6 months following a second surgery on
his slow healing foot. The Viking's starting RB had surgery to repair
an avulsion fracture on the base of his 5th metatarsal (Jones Fracture)
earlier this year, but the procedure was a failure and team doctors
were forced to operate once again. This time, they took bone marrow
from Bennett's hip and injected it into his foot in hopes of promoting
bone growth. The Viking's medical staff will reevaluate his foot
in 4 weeks at which point they will know whether the surgery was
a success or another failure. If it works, expect to see Bennett
back in Minnesota's starting lineup sometime in October. If it doesn't,
he will be out for the entire 2003 season. Either way look for both
Doug Chapman and rookie Onterrio Smith to compete for the starting
job with Moe Williams getting all the work in short yardage and
goal-line situations.
Aaron Brooks, QB, New Orleans Saints
Injury
Specifics: Recovered From Surgery To Repair Torn Tendon in
Shoulder.
Fantasy Status: Brooks has finally
been given unrestricted clearance to throw the ball during training
camp. The Saints' starting QB had arthroscopic surgery on his right
shoulder to repair a torn tendon earlier this year, but he's made
tremendous progress and is now completely healed, healthy and ready
to go. He's finished each of the last two seasons on a slump which
is cause for concern, but things should go better for the young
quarterback this year. A definite early round selection.
Ron Dixon, WR, New York Giants
Injury
Specifics: Recovered From Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
Fantasy Status: Dixon underwent arthroscopic knee surgery
back in June to remove loose bodies within the capsule. He's made
a full recovery and will make his 2003 debut today at Giant's training
camp. He'll be battling with Tim Carter for the #3 receiver's job
and won't push either Toomer or Hilliard for playing time which
practically makes him a fantasy non-factor, so look elsewhere on
draft day guys.
Kevin Dyson, WR, Carolina Panthers
Injury Specifics: Torn Achilles
Tendon
Fantasy Status: Dyson, who tore
his Achilles tendon during an off-season practice session underwent
season ending surgery to correct it. He was quietly impressing the
Panther coaching staff and was certainly on his way to becoming
the team's 3rd WR, but this latest setback certainly puts a major
question mark on Dyson's future in the NFL. Scratch him off your
cheat sheets guys.
DeShaun Foster, RB, Carolina Panthers
Injury Specifics: Recovering From
Micro Fracture Knee Surgery
Fantasy Status: Foster, who underwent
micro fracture surgery on his injured knee last November, told reporters
that he expects to be ready for the start of the Panther's training
camp. He's now running in straight lines and has regained nearly
all of the strength in his knee but is still not able to sidestep
and cut. Despite Foster's hard work and positive attitude, team
doctors still don't know if he will be able to return to the team
this season. During a recent medical exam, Foster's knee was found
clear of arthritis which suggests the micro fracture procedure has
worked but they just don't know how the knee will respond once DeShaun
resumes full practice. I wouldn't recommend drafting him until it
is known for sure if he'll be ready in September or not. Stephen
Davis is the guy you want regardless. He's a big, bruising back
who can shoulder the RB load for an entire season so look for big
numbers from the former Redskin.
Jeff Garcia, QB, San Francisco 49ers
Injury Specifics: Protruding Disk
Fantasy Status: The 49ers will
limit Garcia's participation during training camp because of a protruding
disk in the 33-year old's back. Garcia suffered the injury during
an off-season workout and has been dealing with occasional bouts
of pain and muscle spasms since then. As durable as Garcia has been,
an injury of this nature has the tendency to linger for a long time.
Don't be surprised if Garcia struggles early in the regular season.
Knock him down a few notches on your cheat sheets guys.
Donald Hayes, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Injury Specifics: Sprained Knee
Fantasy Status: Hayes has completely
recovered from his injured knee and will be ready for the start
of his team's training camp. Hayes, barring any unforeseen setbacks,
will probably battle former 49ers WR J.J. Stokes for the number
2 receiver spot behind Jimmy Smith. Keep an eye on this battle,
as the winner will make a decent late round fantasy draft pick.
Priest Holmes, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Injury Specifics: Recovered From
Bruised Hip and Arthroscopic Surgery.
Fantasy Status: It's easily been
the most talked about topic in sports - the health of Priest Holmes.
Some have compared his hip injury to Bo Jackson's while others have
said that although his career might not be over, his days as a top
fantasy back are. But despite all the concerns and negative publicity
Holmes is in fact ahead of schedule and should be back at full-speed
sometime this month. To set the record straight, Priest bruised
the proximal head of his femur last December and had surgery earlier
this year to remove the scar tissue that was causing discomfort.
Such a procedure is done at least 5 times a year in the NFL so it
wouldn't be a stretch to consider the surgery routine. He's recovered
nicely since then, regaining full motion, flexibility and strength
(the guy is now pulling tractors for Pete's sake). Not good enough
you say? Well, he's had a terrific start to the Chiefs training
camp. Not only is he practicing all out with the first-team, but
he's been hit on a number of occasions and has shown no signs of
favoring his questioned hip. In a recent interview with ESPN.com,
Priest told fantasy fans that they should make him their top pick.
Listen to the man, because he knows what he is talking about. He
probably won't repeat last year's numbers, but he'll be back in
pro-bowl form and will produce like a top 5 player.
Derrick Mason, WR, Tennessee Titans
Injury Specifics: Broken Hand
Fantasy Status: Mason broke his
hand while playing golf back in May but he's made a full recovery
and he's expected to take the field for the start of Titans training
camp. He's probably going to be the most underrated WR on draft
day (again), but if you see him in the 5th round make sure you grab
him before anyone else does.
Ed McCaffrey, WR, Denver Broncos
Injury Specifics: Recovering From
Groin surgery
Fantasy Status: McCaffrey had
surgery back in March to repair a partially torn groin muscle, but
despite being close to 100%, sophomore receiver Ashley Lelie is
the favorite to win the starting job opposite Rod Smith. He will
probably be ready for training camp, but his age and injury past
have finally caught up to him. As good as Ed has been, his days
of being a solid fantasy producer are over.
Willis McGahee, RB, Buffalo Bills
Injury Specifics: Recovering From
ACL Surgery
Fantasy Status: Despite making
tremendous progress, McGahee won't be ready to practice when the
Bills open training camp and according to team officials, he will
likely open the regular season on the Physically Unable to Perform
(PUP) list. If that happens, Willis won't be able to play until
at least Week 10 but as it stands now, the likelihood of him playing
at all in 2003 is slim to none. Don't waste your time here guys.
He's only a late-round gamble in dynasty leagues and is not even
worth a look in redraft and keeper leagues.
Sylvester Morris, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Injury Specifics: Torn Hip Extensor
Fantasy Status: Morris' career
with the Chiefs is in now in jeopardy after injuring his hip this
past weekend. An MRI taken the day after revealed a tear in an extensor
muscle in the back of his hip. It doesn't require surgery, but doctors
say he will need 2 - 6 weeks to recover meaning there is a good
chance that he will miss all of training camp and pre-season. With
the top 4 WR spots already secured, Morris was supposed to battle
Marvin Minnis and Dameane Douglas for the 5th spot. The Chiefs don't
plan on keeping 6 receivers so Morris is now on the outside looking
in. Don't draft him guys. He's not even worth consideration in 16-team
dynasty leagues.
Chris Redman, QB, Baltimore Ravens
Injury Specifics: Recovered From
Back Surgery
Fantasy Status: Redman underwent
back surgery in January to remove a part of the disk pressing against
a nerve that was causing numbness in his foot. He has progressed
extremely well and is currently throwing without a problem. Redman
has yet to be hit but team trainer Bill Tessendorf said it's unlikely
a direct hit would re-aggravate his back. If he's able to make it
through the training camp and pre-season games healthy he should
beat out rookie Kyle Boller and win the Ravens starting job.
Dominic Rhodes, RB, Indianapolis Colts
Injury Specifics: Recovered From
Torn ACL and Arthroscopic Surgery
Fantasy Status: Rhodes hasn't
recovered as quickly as the Colts might have liked, but it appears
that he's now ready to take his return. He should be on the practice
field for the starting training camp on July 27 and if his knee
holds up, look for him to move past James Mungro into the team's
backup spot behind Edgerrin James. He doesn't have much value right
now, but if EJ suffers another injury-riddled season, look for Rhodes
to benefit the most. Handcuff em' guys.
Koren Robinson, WR Seattle Seahawks
Injury Specifics: Broken Knuckle
Fantasy Status: Koren broke the
knuckle on his right middle finger after being stepped on by a teammate
during a passing drill back in June, but he's made a full recover
and will be ready for the start of training camp. Keep him high
on your cheat sheets guys, he's going to have a fantastic season.
Luke Staley, RB, Detroit Lions
Injury Specifics: Recovered From
a Partially Torn ACL
Fantasy Status: Staley, who missed
his entire rookie season with an ACL injury, appears to be fully
recovered. He taken part in every Detroit mini-camp and training
session thus far and will compete with Shawn Bryson and rookie Artose
Pinner for the backup job behind James Stewart. He's quietly had
a splendid off-season impressing both the medical staff and coaching
staff, but unless Luke moves into the #2 spot, he won't be worth
drafting so keep an eye on his progress during training camp.
Brandon Stokley, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Injury Specifics: Recovered from
Surgery To Repair Broken Foot.
Fantasy Status: Its been over
7 months since Stokley had pins inserted into his broken foot, but
he has finally recovered and should be ready to take the field when
the Colts open training camp on the 27th. He was originally scheduled
to practice back in early June but he was complaining of discomfort
when he ran so the team decided to hold him out. Stokley has now
regained the strength in his arches and isn't experiencing any pain
when he runs so he should be good to go from here on out. If he
doesn't suffer any setbacks, he should be lining up as Colts' 3rd
receiver come September so draft him accordingly.
Lee Suggs, RB, Cleveland Browns
Injury Specifics: Recovering From
Rotator Cuff Surgery
Fantasy Status: Suggs is currently
recovering from rotator cuff surgery and will probably miss the
entire 2003 season. An MRI done of his shoulder before the NFL draft
revealed a partially torn muscle in his rotator cuff. There is an
outside chance that Suggs could be ready to return sometime towards
the end of the regular season but with William Green, Jamel White
and James Jackson all returning the Browns will likely sit the rookie
until next year.
:: comments to philip
gentles
Philip Gentles isn't just the owner,
webmaster and editor 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 7 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.
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