Quarterbacks

Arizona's Kurt Warner missed time last year due to groin and knee injuries, but the team signed him to a new 3-year deal during the offseason. Warner commented about the team's 2006 prospects during June practices, stating "I’m just looking forward to getting in and competing and getting everyone together; offense, defensive, and the line in there so we can just start playing football again.” He's said to be ready for training camp.

Atlanta's Michael Vick asserts that he is now 100%, after suffering from a nagging right knee injury for most of the 2005 season. Vick reports "My (right) knee was bothering me all year (2005). I never cried about it. I never complained about it. I just tried to do the best I can for the team. Now, I'm 100 percent healthy. I'm where I used to be."

Baltimore's Steve McNair passed a physical before joining the team, and has been fully participating in June/July workouts. He appears to be healthy entering training camp, despite a string of injuries suffered in Tennessee during the last 2 years.

Buffalo's JP Losman sat out the final 2 games of 2006 due to a shoulder injury, and the new coaching staff has openly announced that he is in a battle for the starting job with Kelly Holcomb, with both players starting even. Even #3 Craig Nall has a shot, and all are to get playing time with the first team during training camp. Holcomb missed some time last year due to a concussion - both Losman and Holcomb are expected to be fine for the start of training camp. The QB situation is very murky in Buffalo as of late July.

Chicago's Brian Griese comes into town after starting 2005 strong, but going down to two torn ligaments (ACL, MCL) in his left knee. Griese hopes to compete with starter Rex Grossman, but recovery times from ACL injuries are unpredictable at best. QB coach Wade Wilson indicated on July 10th that "I think that he'd (Griese) be able to play a game tomorrow. The offensive systems he played in in Denver and Tampa Bay are very similar concepts to what we do. A little bit of the language is different. But he's such a smart guy and a student of the game and just a true professional. He picked up things so fast in the OTAs and the minicamp." The Bears have proclaimed Rex Grossman the starter, but Griese will wait in the wings for his opportunity to play.

Cincinnati's Carson Palmer blew out his left knee (ACL and MCL) during the opening minutes of the playoff game vs. Pittsburgh. He's had the knee surgically repaired, and has done some light throwing during the offseason., and proceeded to participate in organized team activities and mini-camps. According to all reports, Palmer has progressed rapidly in his rehabilitation, and the team expects him in the lineup at Kansas City on September 10th.

Indianapolis' backup Jim Sorgi missed time in mini-camps/OTAs due to a sore shoulder in his throwing arm, and the team recently signed veteran Shaun King to be the #3 QB as insurance.

Jacksonville's Byron Leftwich missed the final 5 games of the 2005 season, due to a broken left ankle. He did play in the Jaguars' playoff game, and is expected to fully participate in all practices heading into 2006. He worked on scrambling out of the pocket during May mini-camps as part of the team's training regimen.

Miami's Daunte Culpepper is making a comeback from a gruesome knee injury (torn right ACL, MCL, and PCL) suffered during an October 30th, 2005 game. The normal time-frame for returning from such extensive reconstructive surgery is 9-12 months. Speaking of his injury, Culpepper said "I'm not going to predict, or rush myself or be unsmart about anything about it because I know it's a very sensitive injury. Only a couple people have ever had it and came back from it. I'm just glad to be making the progress that I'm making and hopefully it continues." All reports out of Miami have been positive, and Culpepper was dropping back to pass and scrambling around during a July mini-camp. He appears to be set to return for the full season at this point.

New England's Tom Brady had offseason. surgery to repair a hernia. He is expected to be fine for the start of regular season, and has been working out in the weightroom extensively during the offseason.

New Orleans new starter, Drew Brees, is coming off a shoulder injury (torn labrum in his throwing arm) suffered in the Charger's season finale. He is expected to be ready for the start of training camp, and he has been throwing a ball since early April (that's about 4 weeks ahead of schedule for rehabbing this sort of injury). Brees spoke about his rehabilitation, saying "Just from a personal standpoint, facing your own [rehabilitation], you know how tough it's going to be." Brees has participated in OTAs and mini-camps, and is going to be the opening day starter, barring a new injury.

New York Jets' Chad Pennington is once again rehabbing an injury in the shoulder of his throwing arm. He has had surgery on his rotator cuff 2 straight seasons - the team expected him to "intensify" his throwing regimen during mini-camps this year. He's facing a training camp challenge from Patrick Ramsey, Kellen Clemens and Brooks Bollinger, but remains the favorite to be the opening-day starter.

Philadelphia's Donovan McNabb, who lost the final half of the 2005 season due to a sports hernia that required a surgical repair, stated in March that although he wasn't 100% yet, he could play football now if necessary. Head coach Andy Reid said at the opening of Eagle's training camp (July 20th) "We're going to let him go. He was able to do everything during the minicamps. He felt very good about the progress he had been making, and the doctor that had done the surgery checked him and felt he was full-go. He's been working out like crazy, so we'll let him get in there and we will take it practice by practice and see how he does." McNabb is expected to be ready for the regular season.

Just weeks after almost dying in a motorcycle accident, Ben Roethlisberger looks set to return to practices as early as the beginning of training camp. At the ESPY awards in July, he stated "I'm healthy, I feel great and, frankly, I think I look pretty good considering what I've been through." He and the Steelers expect him to be fully recovered well before the start of regular season.

St. Louis' Marc Bulger, who lost the second half of 2005 because of a shoulder injury to his throwing arm, participated in the Rams' first minicamp of 2006. New head coach Scott Linehan indicated he was very pleased with all of the Ram's QBs after the workouts. He's expected to be full speed at training camp.

Running Backs

Carolina's DeShaun Foster is reported to be 100% recovered from the surgery that repaired his ankle after his injury in the playoff game in Chicago. Said coach Fox during a May mini-camp "In his career thus far, we've had situations in the season where he's had to be the guy. Late last year, I don't think we would have advanced to where we did without him stepping in in a big way and producing at a high level. This will be the first time coming into a season he's been the featured guy. He's definitely capable. We've just got to kill off that injury bug."

Chicago's Cedric Benson is reported to be fully recovered from the November knee injury that limited him at the end of 2005. He is expected to fully participate in minicamps and training camp this year - missing a large chunk of those practices last year set back his professional development. During June mini-camps Benson took a large number of snaps with the first team, and appears poised to battle it out with Thomas Jones during training camp for the #1 job in Chicago.

Cincinnati's Rudi Johnson revealed this spring that he played through cartilage damage in his left knee during 2005, and injury that has since been repaired through arthroscopic surgery. He is said to have even more burst and quickness entering 2006 than he did last year, when he rushed for 1458 yards on 337 carries. He's all set for training camp.

Detroit's Kevin Jones is said to be concentrating on fundamentals and conditioning after a frustrating and injury-plagued campaign during 2005. He is expected to be the starter from day 1 of training camp.

Green Bay's Ahman Green is expected to be ready for training camp after missing most of 2005 due to a torn quadriceps tendon. Backup Najeh Davenport is expected to return at around the same time after rehabbing a broken ankle. Neither player will participate in mini-camps this season as they continue their rehabs - fantasy owners interested in Green will want to monitor his progress in training camp carefully. Samkon Gado, who strained a knee late in the season, is fully participating in the offseason. activities and may share some of the load with Green this year. In mid July, GM Ted Thompson indicated that both Green and Davenport may not be ready for the start of training camp, saying "Maybe not at the very start. We're going to try to be cautious because we want to make sure everything is good to go before we put them back out there." The team hopes to get both players some practice time before the end of training camp.

Houston's Domanick Davis is expected to be 100% after missing the final 5 games last season due to knee swelling - he underwent arthroscopic surgery to correct the condition. New head coach Gary Kubiak stated at the end of June mini-camps that Davis would be staying in training/rehabilitation during July to ensure he could participate in training camp. "They have to be here full time. I told some of these guys that they might need to break away from us — we've been after them for a while. But they don't need a break away from their livelihood, and that's staying in shape and being ready to go for camp."

Jacksonville's Fred Taylor, who struggled at times last season with his surgically repaired knee, has spent the offseason on an aggressive personal training regimen, and is said to have reported to mandatory spring workouts in great shape. He spoke about the repaired knee during mini-camp, stating "My knee is fine. I don't think it's an issue, but I had major knee surgery and there are days I have to double-ice it." Taylor added "I'm in the best shape I've ever been."

Kansas City's Priest Holmes has not been medically cleared to practice due to his ongoing medical consultations over his spinal injury, suffered at midseason during 2005. There is no certainty that he will play professional football during 2006 - perhaps never again. As of mid-July, on the eve of training camp, there was still no official determination of Holmes' status.

New England's Corey Dillon has reportedly worked hard to get his balky calf and sore ankle back into shape heading into 2006 - but he'll be looking over his shoulder at rookie Laurence Maroney this year. Dillon was less-than-impressive for much of 2005 - he'll need to be way more productive if he's to keep Maroney on the bench. At 32, he's on the downside of his career - can he stay healthy during 2006?

New Orleans Deuce McAllister is still rehabbing his surgically repaired right ACL - the team hopes he will be ready for the start of training camp. McAllister is now looking over his shoulder at a healthy Reggie Bush - if McAllister can't go during training camp, he may lose his starting job sooner rather than later.

New York Jets' Curtis Martin underwent season-ending knee surgery in December 2005 to remove bone chips jammed into the front, back, and sides of his right knee. It remains to be seen if he can fully recover, although there was no ligament damage discovered when the chips were removed. Cedric Houston suffered a broken wrist and facial lacerations in a car accident during April - he is expected to participate in the team's June minicamps and training camp. The Jets' running back stable is in a fluid state entering 2006. There has been a lot of talk about a reduced role for Martin during 2006.

Philadelphia's Brian Westbrook is expected to fully recover from his foot injury (a Lisfranc foot sprain that did not require surgery). His backup, Correll Buckhalter, is not going to be in the lineup to start training camp after missing mini-camps and OTAs due to his ongoing rehabilitation of a torn right patella tendon. He is starting the season on PUP, and his career is in jeopardy.

San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson is expected to fully recover from the cracked ribs that limited him at the end of 2005.

San Francisco's Kevan Barlow practiced with the team on a limited basis during mini-camps - he is continuing to rehabilitate his left knee after January surgery to clean up loose cartilage. Frank Gore had a surgical procedure performed on each shoulder during the offseason. - and has had both knees surgically repaired in the past. Gore looks like the front-runner for the starting job heading into training camp, but we haven't seen him play with the pads on yet - his progress rehabilitating his shoulders is hard to judge.

Wide Receivers

Carolina's Keary Colbert fought through an ankle injury during 2005 (that was not revealed until spring 2006), and had offseason. surgery to clean up bone spurs, bone chips and an abnormal calcium deposit. He has dropped to #3 on the depth chart and may be fighting for his roster spot during training camp.

Chicago's Muhsin Muhammad's right hand is said to be healing well after a break sustained in the playoff loss to Carolina. He should be ready to go for training camp. Fellow WR Mark Bradley is recovering nicely from his torn right ACL (October, 2005) and hopes to return to the team in time for training camp. Receivers coach Darryl Drake recently commented on Bradley "Right now he (isn't 100 percent). But you see improvement each and every day. All I'm looking for from him right now is to make sure that he's doing things right in the mental part of the game. There's going to come a point in time where he's able to do those things like we know he can. But he's got some time and the worst thing that we could do to him is rush him. That would be suicide." Bradley is expected to contend with Bernard Berrian, Airese Currie and Justin Gage for the #2 role. Gage has been slowed by unspecified minor injuries during mini-camps, but should be up to speed for training camp.

Cleveland's Braylon Edwards is not expected to be medically cleared for training camp (he tore up his right ACL - the knee was reconstructed in January 2006), and the team fears he may not be 100% until 2007. If he is cleared for action, it appears late October is the earliest that he might take the field. Edwards looks like a risky proposition for the 2006 season. Said head coach Crennel, "They're going to release him when he gets well. When that is, I don't know." Until Edwards returns, the team has Joe Jurevicius penciled in at #1 WR.

Denver's Javon Walker is rehabbing the torn ACL he suffered in his right knee during week 1 of 2005 - he's expected to be ready to go for training camp this season. Coach Shanahan commented on Walker at a July mini-camp: "He looks like he's in pretty good shape. He's making some strides. He did most of the drill work. We didn't do any team work with him. I think he could have. But we have a plan over the next three weeks to keep working him like he's working now and hopefully, by the first day of camp, he's ready to go full speed."

Detroit's Mike Williams has been rehabbing a sore hamstring during mini-camps - but not diligently. He was sent home for the final 2 days of the first mandatory mini-camp for being late to a team meeting and a rehabilitation session. He has reportedly been chronically late during his short career, by the way. He may have bigger problems than a sore hamstring - he doesn't look like he's in the mix to contribute to the Lions this season.

Green Bay's Robert Ferguson is expected to be recovered from a torn LCL/deep knee bruise in his left knee in time for training camp. However, he missed part of the mini-camp due to his leg, and Rod Gardner has been nursing a sore hamstring. The depth chart across from Donald Driver is unclear heading into training camp.

Houston's Andre Johnson tweaked his ankle in the season finale vs. San Francisco, but it wasn't a serious injury. He's reported to be fully healthy and is working well with new #2 WR Eric Moulds.

Indianapolis' Marvin Harrison is recovering from offseason. elbow and wrist surgery, but is expected to be ready for the start of training camp as usual. Coach Dungy appeared unconcerned when asked about the elbow procedure, performed in May, stating "He told me if there was anything wrong, he'd let me know."

Miami's Marty Booker suffered a sprained ankle during a June practice. He's expected to be OK for training camp.

Oakland's Randy Moss is reportedly fully recovered from the nagging hamstring/leg injury that limited his production during 2005. He also banged up his ribs, and fought through a sore groin/pelvis during the season. He is said to be fully healthy now, and is working well with new QB Aaron Brooks, a great sign for both players' fantasy owners. Ron Curry is rehabbing his second-straight torn Achilles tendon entering 2006 - the team hopes he can be back in the mix by training camp.

Philadelphia's Todd Pinkston ruptured his right Achilles tendon during an August 2005 practice - the team hopes he'll be recovered in time for training camp. It remains to be seen if he'll hold onto his starting job, but reports out of Philadelphia in mid-July have stated that the #2 job is Pinkston's to lose. He participated in a limited way during mini-camps - we'll have to wait and see how his Achilles holds up. Rookie WRs Jason Avant (knee surgery June 20) and Jeremy Bloom (hamstring injury) will begin training camp on the PUP list.

Seattle's Darrell Jackson has endured 2 surgeries on his injured knee during the offseason. - the repeated surgeries aren't a good sign. Recent reports out of Seattle say that Jackson plans to rest his surgically repaired knee as much as possible during training camp, and may have trouble getting back on the field.

Tampa Bay's Michael Clayton (whose surgically repaired knee was reportedly a problem throughout 2005) is said to be back to 100% entering 2006. Starting QB Chris Simms said of Clayton's 2006 prospects: "It's just great to have him back because people kind of forgot about him last year and they don't realize he played with a bum knee the whole year and never complained or said anything. That's what I respect about him more than anything is his toughness, his willingness to compete and he'll be back in top form." In mini-camps, Clayton looked fully recovered from his knee problems, and hopes to exceed his rookie campaign this season.

Tennessee's Tyrone Calico ended the 2005 season on IR due to calf/hamstring injuries, but he is reportedly looking good during the offseason. conditioning program this spring. With the arrival of David Givens, Calico will need to battle for playing time, but he could be the Titans' #3 by regular season if he can stay healthy. Brandon Jones is coming off a season-ending knee injury, and he may not be 100% by the time training camp opens.

Tight Ends

Atlanta's Alge Crumpler had shoulder surgery in February for a torn labrum (this was not divulged by the team until July). GM Rich McKay indicated to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Crumpler could be limited in training camp and preseason due to the injury, but should be ready for regular season. Crumpler also had arthroscopic knee surgery at the end of the 2005 season.

Buffalo's Kevin Everett hurt his groin and was unable to participate in the Bill's first minicamp. He hopes to be able to take part during June OTAs and training camp - the team has signed Robert Royal this year, and Royal has been getting a lot of reps with the first team.

Cleveland's Kellen Winslow is expected to return from rehabbing his off-field knee injury in time for training camp this year. Winslow had minor arthroscopic surgery to clean up scar tissue in the repaired joint during January of 2006, and is reportedly doing well finishing up rehabilitation of the injury. After mini-camps and OTAs, all of the news out of Cleveland about Winslow has been positive - he may see some time at WR, and is expected to be a major cog in the offense. His injury woes appear to be a thing of the past.

Green Bay's Bubba Franks may be able to participate in minicamps this offseason. and is expected to return from the neck/back injuries that shortened his 2005 season in time for training camp. He projects to be the #1 TE again this season, barring a setback.

Indianapolis' Ben Utecht was limited last year due to a rib injury - this year, he's in a dogfight with Bryan Fletcher and Ben Hartsock for the #2 spot behind Dallas Clark. If Utecht can stay healthy, he could make a push for playing time in training camp in the Colts' 2 TE sets.

New England's Daniel Graham was hampered by shoulder injuries most of 2005 and sat out the final 1/3 of the season. He is expected to be ready for action by the start of training camp, but will have to fight Ben Watson for playing time.

New Orleans Ernie Conwell ended the season on IR due to torn ligaments in his knee, and that opened the door to Zach Hilton. Conwell has missed time during mini-camps/OTAs rehabbing his knee. While nominally the starter, Conwell is a ten year veteran who has struggled to stay on the field in recent years, with only 1 full slate of 16 games played during the past 3 years- most observers think Hilton will be the starter come opening day.

New York Jet's Chris Baker is coming back from a broken left fibula/leg surgery that cut his 2005 campaign short. The team hopes he is ready by the start of training camp. He was re-signed by the team in March, which is a good indication he's on track to play this year.

San Francisco's Eric Johnson is said to be 100% healthy after missing 2005 due to a foot injury. However, the 49ers drafted Vernon Davis this year, so Johnson is in a dog fight for playing time.

Seattle's Jerramy Stevens underwent knee surgery in late April after complaining of swelling and pain in his knee. The doctors discovered and repaired a cartilage tear - the team trainers say that he may return to the team by the 3rd week of August (well into training camp). He may or may not be available for the season opener given that timetable.

Kickers

Cleveland's Phil Dawson had surgery during the offseason. to repair a sports hernia (he didn't miss a game during 2005). He should be fine by the time regular season rolls around.

New England's Martin Gramatica was out of football during 2005 due to injury problems in his kicking leg. Reportedly he is healthy again, but it remains to be seen if his leg will hold up to a full season of kicking duties.

Philadelphia's David Akers was plagued by a torn hamstring/kicking leg problems last season, and his FG percentage suffered (down to 72.7%, from his usual mid- to high- 80% range). He is the only kicker on the roster for the Eagles, so hopefully an offseason of R and R has helped him recover his form.

Washington's John Hall has suffered through 2 injury plagued seasons with the Redskins - he could only appear in 10 games last year due to kicking leg problems (and only 8 games during 2004). Tyler Jones, a NFLE assignee for the Redskins, may push Hall for a roster spot.