Did you actually think any fantasy players would come away from week one unscathed?
Not going to happen.
Now, the good news for fantasy owners is that there has yet to be a Tom Brady circa 2008 season-ending injury during week one. Not only did Brady’s knee explode during the first week of the season, but so too did many fantasy owners’ playoff aspirations.
But there have been significant injuries to notable fantasy football contributors, of course.
Before we get to those injuries, though, I want to offer a brief apology for the tardiness of today’s Monday Morning Rehab. I am in the middle of the club men’s ultimate frisbee season (playing for the Cleveland men’s team, Lake Effect) and was out of town all weekend for a tournament in Chicago.
Until I grab a NetBook — something I hope to purchase soon — work on the road is hard to get done. Actually, it is pretty impossible.
OK, enough about that … Check this weekend’s significant injuries after the jump.
Matt Cassel [QB, Chiefs]
From ProFootballTalk:
Matt Cassel will not play against the Ravens today in Baltimore. Cassel tried to go before the game but was ruled out.
He told friends this week he had every intention of playing in this game so it’s likely he’s been ruled out by the medical staff thanks to the MCL he sprained in the preseason.
The Chiefs actually made a competitive game out of their week one match-up against the Ravens without Cassel’s services.
From all indications, Cassel is very close to returning and should be able to play next weekend. In his absence, the Chiefs’ passing game was pretty decent, a good sign for Cassel’s projections going forward.
James Davis [RB, Browns]
From RotoWorld:
Davis was active despite getting into a one-car accident Saturday, but played sparingly behind Jamal Lewis and was shaken up by a big Antoine Winfield hit late.
That Davis played at all against the vikings is incredible in and of itself. His results, however, are probably typical of someone who was involved in a car accident the day prior to a game.
As he recovers, Davis should become more and more involved in the offense.
Kevin Walter [WR, Texans]
From FFToolBox:
Cassel still hasn’t fully recovered from his strained MCL, while Walter has been hampered by a hamstring injury.
The Houston offense was anemic on Sunday without Walter, though I doubt his presence would have had much of an impact on the Texans’ offensive output.
Hopefully he gets back on the field for week two to give Matt Schaub a full complement of weapons. Otherwise, the Houston fantasy bandwagon could stall very quickly.
Anquan Boldin [WR, Cardinals]
From RotoWorld:
He wasn’t noticeably limping, but he also never really had a chance to open up and sprint. With the Cardinals playing it cautiously, Boldin was targeted just four times compared to 13 for Larry Fitzgerald.
Boldin gave it a go but his presence was not enough to help the Cardinals overcome San Francisco in week one.
His health should continue to improve and he generally is a pretty tough football player who has been hampered by various ailments over the years. I expect Boldin to grit it out in the short term with the hamstring troubles.
Steve Breaston [WR, Cardinals]
From RotoWorld:
Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt revealed Monday that Steve Breaston’s (knee) absence for Week 1 was unexpected.
Breaston could not go, so Jerheme Urban stepped into the Cardinals’ No. 3 wide receiver position and cleaned up with a decent stat line (5 catches for 74 yards). Those stats are Breaston’s to have upon his return.
However, that return is uncertain. Breaston may have re-aggravated a PCL sprain in his knee. Vikings’ wide receiver Sidney Rice dealt with a PCL injury all of last season that kept him on the sidelines or ineffective for most of the year. The same fate could await Breaston if the knee injury is more serious than have been let on by Cardinals.
Hakeem Nicks [WR, Giants]
From ProFootballTalk:
The Giants reportedly believe that rookie wideout Hakeem Nicks will only miss 2-3 weeks with his foot sprain, and that he’s likely avoided the dreaded “Lis Franc” sprain.
According to reports out of New York today, Nicks avoided the dreaded Lis Franc diagnosis and should return to game action in two-to-three weeks.
Not the best news for his fantasy value, which came into the season on the rise. Mario Manningham and Steve Smith starred for the Giants’ receiving corps in week one and could further cement their roles on the offense in the next few weeks.
Anthony Gonzalez [WR, Colts]
From FFToolBox:
Colts wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez will be out for at least two weeks (and maybe as many as six) with a strained right knee ligament. Gonzalez suffered the injury after taking just two steps after a snap in the first quarter.
This could end up being the most significant injury of the weekend. And it sounds like a freak one, at that.
AGonzo’s status is unknown at the moment. Presumably, the Colts are doing more tests on the knee. But that only means they fear the worst and perhaps fantasy owners should too. News on Gonzalez’s status should come quickly.
Donovan McNabb [QB, Eagles]
From FFToolBox:
There are some conflicting reports as to how much time McNabb is expected to miss due to this fracture. FOX’s Jay Glazer said on his Twitter account that McNabb is out for Week 2 and then “it’s up in air.” The Philadelphia Enquirer stated McNabb is going to be doubtful for Week 2 but that head coach Andy Reid wouldn’t rule him out for next week’s game against the New Orleans Saints
The Eagles signed Jeff Garcia to bolster the quarterback position this weekend. To me, that signifies Kevin Kolb will get the start against the Saints.
But nowadays, no assumption is safe especially when it comes to coaches and injury updates. Garcia is very familiar with the Eagles offense having led Philly to the playoffs a few years ago after a McNabb season-ending injury, so he may be in town for more than just a week. However, that is hard to imagine with Michael Vick set to come off suspension after week two.
Back to McNabb, however, Thursday and Friday will be the most telling days. If he gets on the practice field at all, he may have an outside shot to play this weekend. Stay tuned.
Tony Romo [QB, Cowboys]
From FFToolBox:
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo will undergo an MRI on Monday to see if there is any damage to his right ankle, which he injured during Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay. Romo was limping on the field and after the game, but didn’t miss any snaps and still put up tremendous numbers. Romo said after the game that he expects to be fine.
The MRI seems precautionary but should be slightly worrisome to fantasy owners nonetheless.
Romo has had a string of bad luck in recent seasons, enough to keep his owners on edge with every game. He clearly is unaffected from a fantasy standpoint by the departure of Terrell Owens and should continue to be a solid QB1 going forward. That is, of course, if the ankle checks out.
Antonio Bryant [QB, Buccaneers]
From FFToolBox:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Bryant is still recovering from offseason knee surgery and until he is fully healthy, the team will continue to monitor Bryant’s knee on a weekly basis. Bryant is expected to play Sunday against Buffalo, but may be limited during the practice week.
Bryant was ineffective in his first action since returning from a knee injury suffered during the preseason. He has never been a consistent fantasy threat and should only be considered a WR3 at this point.
The MMR will continue to run every Monday morning as scheduled during the regular season. If you have an injury update or want an update on a certain player, please leave a note in the comments.
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