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

Gates will be limited during camp as he recovers from toe surgery.

Player: Antonio Gates
Team: San Diego Chargers
Regular Season Games Played In 2007: 16

The best tight end in the game is returning from off-season toe surgery. He is likely to miss at least some of training camp and his recovery could linger into the regular season; bad news for San Diego and his fantasy owners. The end of June is approaching and Gates hasn’t even started running. The Chargers’ medical report includes their three most important players: Gates, Philip Rivers, and LaDainian Tomlinson, casting a haze of uncertainly over the entire team. Anyone looking for a deep sleeper should consider backup Scott Chandler. He is only in his second year and blocks like a wide receiver, but is expected to get the start if Gates cannot play.

The Walking Wounded

Player: Jeremy Shockey
Team: New York Giants
Regular Season Games Played In 2007: 14

Possibly the biggest drama queen in the NFL and definitely the one most likely to kick my ass for saying so, Shockey is coming back from last year’s broken leg. His rehab is already being used as an excuse to skip practice, but he is expected to be ready for training camp. One last note to Mr. Shockey: Your team won the Super Bowl without you. Shut up and get on the field! Backup Kevin Boss flashed some skills during last year’s run and is worth taking late in case Shockey is too busy whining to play or the Giants get sick of his crap and ship him elsewhere.

Player: Tony Scheffler
Team: Denver Broncos
Regular Season Games Played In 2007: 16

Scheffler reinjured his broken foot in the offseason and just recently got the protective boot taken off. The team expects him to be 100% by the time camp opens. Considering the weak receivers the Broncos are currently auditioning and the WWE antics of injured Brandon Marshall, Scheffler had better be healthy soon since he will likely see a lot of balls coming his way. If he is still hobbled when the season starts, the team has a serious problem as no one behind him has really stepped up.

Discharged From the Hospital

Player: Kellen Winslow
Team: Cleveland Browns
Regular Season Games Played In 2007: 16

Following Winslow’s annual knee surgery, the disgruntled tight end has looked excellent in team activities. If his contract issues can be settled, the high-powered Cleveland offense (that just sounds weird) will continue to light up opposing defenses and the addition of Donte’ Stallworth will open up more room in the middle. Incredibly, all of Cleveland’s starters will be drafted this year in even the shallowest of leagues. The Brownies have finally turned things around after so many years of futility. Winslow’s injury history has to make alarm bells ring though….

Player: Ben Watson
Team: New England Patriots
Regular Season Games Played In 2007: 12

Another player that seems to always haunt the injury report, Watson had ankle surgery in March. Unsurprisingly, the Patriots have been tight-lipped about his status, but he should be 100% for training camp. He is way down the list of offensive weapons in Foxboro, however, considering how many points the Patriots scored last year, he does have some upside.

Player: Todd Heap
Team: Baltimore Ravens
Regular Season Games Played In 2007: 6

Heap’s hamstring injuries should be well behind him by the time training camp opens. Unfortunately, the Ravens play a brutal schedule this year and the team’s options at quarterback are uninspiring at best. Either Kyle Boller, Troy Smith, or Joe Flacco will be trying to lead the dismal and predictable Baltimore offense. None of these guys should instill confidence in owners thinking about drafting Heap early. He will catch a lot of five yard dump passes, but his team may not sniff the end zone in many games.

Player: Marcedes Lewis
Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Regular Season Games Played In 2007: 16

Lewis returned to practice earlier this month after recovering from a knee sprain. Last year’s 37 catches for 391 yards and two touchdowns excited no one and little enough changed in Jacksonville’s run-heavy attack to warrant any higher expectations.

Player: Eric Johnson
Team: New Orleans Saints
Regular Season Games Played In 2007: 14

This update is purely for informational purposes as Johnson is guaranteed to have suffered yet another injury before you even read this. His current injury (ankle) is doing fine and will allow him to resume practice shortly. My deepest condolences on his next injury, whatever it may turn out to be. Johnson’s lack of production combined with his long, long list of injuries may end up putting him in the backup spot behind Billy Miller this year.