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Pre-Season FF Injury Report
by Philip Gentles
ProFantasySports.com
7/24/03


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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