Injury Update

Posted 5/29 by Mark Wimer, Exclusive for Footballguys.com

Professional football players are often injured during the course of an NFL season, and sometimes those injuries can linger to affect a player in the following season. Below is a review of the most significant injuries still affecting fantasy-relevant skill position players as we continue through the 2009 preseason. For further details on the players listed below, check out their player pages here at Footballguys.com or run a search for the person in question on the Footballguys.com News Blogger.

Quarterbacks

CLE QB Derek Anderson (knee) did not have offseason surgery on the knee injury he suffered last season. The injury healed naturally.
NE QB Tom Brady is participating fully in the team's offseason workouts and is working without limitations on his surgically repaired knee (ACL, September 2008). He is expected to be at full speed for training camp. On May 21st, Brady commented to the press "I'm feeling great and just excited to be out there on the field, training with my teammates,' Brady said. "It's always fun being back in this competitive environment and working with these guys to try to make 2009 our best season. It's been fun to be back. I think everyone is excited to get back on the field and see what we're capable of." Brady threw passes to Joey Galloway and Randy Moss on May 26th during a light workout (no pads).
BUF QB Trent Edwards is rehabbing a shoulder injury but should be ready for the start of training camp.
SEA QB Matt Hasselbeck said his offseason weight-training regimen has been successful (April 7th), and participated fully in the team's first minicamp in April. So far, his injured back looks healed back to 100 percent.
CIN QB Carson Palmer avoided further surgery on his injured right elbow early this year and as of April 26th was said to be ready to participate full speed in offseason OTAs. He's said to have a 'chip on his shoulder' and is eager to prove he's back to 100 percent. On May 26th Palmer was throwing good passes to his wideouts in practice and continues to look solid in the wind-up to the 2009 season.
CLE QB Brady Quinn was reportedly near 100 percent recovered from finger surgery as of February 2009. "It feels great," he said. "It's amazing. This is what I was born to do and it feels great to be throwing again. I'm pain-free and everything was 100 percent successful." Quinn should be a full speed for training camp.
GB QB Aaron Rodgers played through a sprained throwing shoulder since week 4 of 2008, but did not require offseason surgery as of mid-May.
SF QB Alex Smith threw in minicamps during April, but was seen holding his sore throwing arm shoulder (surgically repaired last November). It remains to be seen if he can get to 100 percent healthy in time for training camp.
ARI QB Kurt Warner had surgery in mid-March to repair a torn labrum in his left hip. As of May 4th, he was participating in minicamp on a limited basis, and appears to be on schedule to return to full participation by training camp. Warner was cleared to participate in all activities during OTAs as of May 20th - he seems to be on pace for reaching 100 percent health by training camp.

Running Backs

DEN RB J.J. Arrington was unable to participate in May minicamp as he continues to recover from a torn meniscus cartilage in his knee. He's been released by the Broncos as he needs additional microfracture surgery on his right knee and won't play during 2009.
DAL RB Marion Barber's dislocated pinkie toe (an issue at the end of last season) is apparently healed - he's been doing strenuous offseason workouts with no reported problems.
NO RB Reggie Bush is said to be recovering well from his late December knee surgery (microfracture surgery/knee cartilage repair). The team hopes he'll be ready to go for the start of training camp. On May 21st Bush missed a full practice but head coach Sean Payton said he did participate in other sessions of the OTAs during the week.
NYG RB Ahmad Bradshaw suffered a minor ankle sprain while stepping off a street curb on April 2nd, 2009. He resumed full participation in OTAs on April 21.
CHI RB Matt Forte reports that the sore toe that bothered him at the end of 2008 has completely healed during the offseason.
TB RB Earnest Graham suffered a high ankle sprain with ligament damage back in November of 2008, but is expected to be able to participate in OTAs/training camp. On May 8th his agent Drew Rosenhaus asserted that Graham is fully healed.
IND RB Mike Hart is said to be 'on schedule' for returning from a torn ACL (suffered last October). He may be on the bubble with the Colts since they drafted Donald Brown.
DAL RB Felix Jones is apparently 100 percent recovered from his surgically repaired turf toe (November 2008 surgery on ligaments attached to his left big toe) - he's been running and cutting in workouts and looks solid. On May 19th he commented "I've tested my body," Jones said. "My body is finally responding the way I want it to respond."
TEN RB Chris Johnson reported in early April that his injured ankle was 95 percent healed and that he expects to participate in minicamps and training camp at 100 percent. He's been working out extensively with a speed and performance expert.
CLE RB Jamal Lewis is recovering from an arthroscopic procedure on his ankle performed in February - no rookie RBs were picked in the first 5 rounds of the draft, so the Browns are presumably comfortable with Lewis&No. 146; health, although developmental prospect James Davis was selected in the 6th round (No. 195 overall). Lewis participated in practice on May 27th, another hopeful sign in his recovery from the ankle problem.
NE RB Laurence Maroney believes he is 100 percent recovered from his troublesome shoulder injury (recently revealed to have been a broken bone in his shoulder) of last October - we'll see when training camp rolls around. As of May 24th the team was talking about putting Maroney on kickoff returns, a clear sign of his lowly position on the depth chart as of late May.
OAK RB Darren McFadden is said to be 100 percent recovered from an arthroscopic shoulder surgery performed in January - he should be fine for training camp.
BAL RB Willis McGahee revealed in May he had arthroscopic surgery on an ankle, not on the knee that has been troubling him in the past (as the team first indicated, in error). He expects to be fully recovered for the start of training camp in late July. McGahee missed practice on May 27th, which could be a warning sign or could be unrelated to the ankle surgery...stay tuned. The team didn't disclose why McGahee was absent.
PIT RB Rashard Mendenhall has participated in offseason sessions and minicamps and looks fully recovered from last September's broken shoulder.
KC RB Kolby Smith did not participate in the first minicamp as his sprained knee is still an issue early in the offseason.
NE RB Fred Taylor suffered a minor wrist (sprained left wrist) injury in early May while lifting weights - he should be fine well before training camp opens.
SD RB LaDainian Tomlinson participated fully in May minicamps and appears 100 percent recovered from the groin injury that sidelined him during the playoffs at the end of last season. 'No, I wasn't restricted and I did everything. Of course you are always concerned because it is the first time back on the field and especially after being injured. But I wasn't restricted at all and it was great.' Tomlinson commented.
DEN RB Ryan Torain suffered an ACL tear in early November and wasn't able to participate in May minicamps. He'd likely begin the season on PUP.
PHI RB Brian Westbrook talked about his recent arthroscopic knee surgery on April 9th and said for the first time in years, he doesn't feel any pain heading into an offseason. He should be ready for the start of training camp.
TB RB Cadillac Williams is still limited by his most recent patellar knee tendon surgery - he may start the season on PUP if he sticks on the roster.

Wide Receivers

STL WR Donnie Avery played 2008 with a cracked hip - he was told at the end of the season he'd need 8-10 weeks of rest to heal. He should be ready for training camp.
NYG WR Ramses Barden suffered a hamstring injury during minicamp in early May. The injury isn't considered serious, but nagging hamstring injuries have dogged more than one WR - keep an eye on his recovery.
ARI WR Anquan Boldin was sent for an MRI after reporting a hamstring injury at the mandatory 3-day minicamp in early May. It appears the 'hamstring' complaint had more to do with his contractual squabble with the team than an actual injury, however.
SEA WR Nate Burleson (knee injury) is running pass patterns again without any problem. Burleson, eight months removed from reconstructive knee surgery, is catching 'everything thrown his way' and is said to be running effortlessly. He should participate fully in training camp.
SEA WR Deion Branch had arthroscopic knee surgery after the 2008 season, and was seen in street clothes at the teams' first minicamps. The team hopes he'll be ready for training camp.
SD rookie WR Demetrius Byrd (7th round pick, once considered a 1st round prospect), is recovering from a serious car accident suffered just days before the NFL draft. He's been released from the hospital and continues his rehab.
MIA WR Greg Camarillo is recovering from late-season ACL/meniscus surgery in his knee - he hopes to be ready for training camp, but that goal may be tough only 6 months removed from knee surgery as of mid-May.
NO WR Marques Colston (knee) is recovering well from arthroscopic knee surgery. The Saints hope he&No. 146;ll participate at some point during their OTAs, targeting a June return. He should be 100 percent for training camp. Colston was reportedly running well in mid-May practices and figures to meet the team goal of having him 100 percent for training camp.
SF WR Michael Crabtree is recovering from a foot injury - he is expected to get in the mix by the end of May and should be ready for training camp. Crabtree (foot) is not expected to participate at full speed until training camp, according to a May 19th report - he'll be brought along slowly during OTAs/minicamps.
DAL WR Patrick Crayton had arthroscopic ankle surgery in January, but is expected to be healthy for training camp.
PHI WR Kevin Curtis had sports hernia surgery in mid-April (a follow-up to last year's surgery, performed in August 2008). Curtis is expected to be up to speed by training camp, hopefully.
SD WR Craig Davis is expected to be 100 percent for training camp after rehabbing a groin injury that landed him on IR last year.
ARI WR Larry Fitzgerald played with a broken left thumb and torn cartilage in his left hand between his middle and ring fingers during 2008. "My hands are so messed up right now," he said in February of 2009. "I'm just glad I don't have to catch a ball again for a couple months. I can mend up." Fitzgerald is expected to be fine for training camp.
SD WR Malcolm Floyd is reportedly 100 percent recovered from the collapsed lung that prematurely ended his 2008 season.
BUF WR James Hardy is coming off a torn ACL suffered last season, and may not be ready for the start of training camp as of mid-May, 2009. He said in March (2 months after knee surgery) that he hopes to play in the last preseason game.
OAK rookie WR Darrius Heyward-Bey sat out of Sunday, May 10th's workout due to a sore hamstring - the injury isn't considered serious but does bear watching as nagging hamstring injuries are the sort of injury that can dog a player.
GB WR James Jones battled a torn PCL throughout last season, but is expected to be fine for training camp.
WAS WR Malcolm Kelly is recovering from offseason (March) knee surgery - he may not be ready for the start of training camp. Fellow 2008 draft pick Devin Thomas was coming along nicely in minicamp, but then injured his hamstring - the team hopes Thomas will be able to participate in June OTAs.
BAL WR Derrick Mason underwent surgery to fix the scapula and the labrum in his left shoulder in March, and may miss a portion of training camp as a result: "It turned out to be more than we anticipated," he said in early May. "But great doctors find a way to mend you back." The team hopes Mason will be able to participate in at least part of training camp, according to comments from head coach John Harbaugh on May 27th.
DEN WR Brandon Marshall continues to recover from early April hip surgery - he may not be ready for the start of training camp, although in recent comments he indicated his hip is feeling 'great'. The Broncos are installing a new offense during the offseason and minicamps - Marshall won't get any reps in the new system until training camp. He began running in practice on May 27th but has yet to take a hit.
NO WR Lance Moore tore the labrum and dislocated his left shoulder working out in Mid-April. He had surgery to repair the damage, but may be iffy for the start of training camp as of mid-May. The team is hopeful he'll be ready for the start of regular season.
WAS WR Santana Moss missed May minicamp due to shin splints - he's expected to be fine for training camp.
MIN WR Sidney Rice is still recovering from a PCL sprain in his right knee that limited him during 2008. He commented on May 15th that he is still feeling pain and isn't 100 percent yet. On May 22nd he was reportedly looking sharp in practice, though - he seems to be rehabbing his injury successfully.
DAL WR Isaiah Stanback (knee) will undergo surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his right knee. He suffered the injury Tuesday, May 19, and tried to participate in practice Wednesday, May 20. He is expected to be ready for training camp despite the injury/surgery.
STL WR Derrick Stanley suffered an ACL tear and cartilage damage in his knee during mid-December, and underwent surgery to repair the damage. It is unclear if he'll be ready for training camp.
NE WR Brandon Tate (No. 83 pick in the 2009 draft) is recovering from ACL and MCL (October 2008) injuries in his knee - he may not contribute to the Patriots this season.
WAS WR James Thrash missed May minicamp due to a neck injury of unspecified type - he is expected back for June minicamps.
PIT WR Hines Ward is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery (torn rotator cuff) - he won't participate in OTA/minicamps, but is expected to be back for training camp.
OAK WR Javon Walker surprised the Raiders in early May by revealing he had further knee surgery on the right knee originally repaired in 2007 (while he was with Denver) - the team didn't know about the procedure until a mandatory minicamp, when Walker was unable to participate. HC Tom Cable doesn't expect Walker to be ready for the start of training camp - Walker looks very dicey for 2009.
JAX WR Mike Walker is reportedly over the knee injury that shortened his 2008 season and may be able to lock down a starting WR slot with the Jaguars during 2009, according to a report on May 22 in the Florida Times-Union.
BAL WR Demetrius Williams recently indicated his 80 percent recovered from a late October/early November Achilles/ankle injury/surgery. He has been running in practices, but still walks with a limp - we'll see if he's 100 percent by training camp. DAL WR Roy Williams is apparently over his late-season plantar fascia foot injury and the Cowboys are reportedly 'elated' with his progress this offseason in the team's offensive system.

Tight Ends

NYG rookie TE Travis Beckum suffered a broken leg as a senior in college, but is expected to be fine for the start of training camp.
CIN TE Chase Coffman, selected No. 98 in the draft, is coming off a broken foot suffered in the Alamo Bowl. It's up in the air if he can participate in training camp.
SD TE Antonio Gates sat out May minicamp due to soreness in his injured big toe, and lingering effects from a late season high ankle sprain. 'I don't know how I got through last season,' Gates said. 'The toe bothered me for months and then I hurt the ankle. But, somehow, I made it through.' The toe is said to be 'structurally' fine, but pain management is obviously part of the package for Gates with this injury. He should be ready for training camp.
BAL TE Todd Heap was still struggling with his sore back as of minicamps. It remains to be seen if he'll be able to participate fully in OTAs and minicamps, let alone training camp. He missed the second team minicamp that began on May 19th due to the back complaint. Head coach John Harbaugh said "He's not as far along as we all thought he would be."
CLE TE Steve Heiden had ACL and MCL surgery in December of 2008 - he probably won't be ready for training camp and may not contribute much for the first half of the season.
PHI rookie TE Cornelius Ingram may need additional surgery to repair a damaged ACL in his knee - if so, he'll probably sit out the 2009 season. He did participate in practice on May 27th, but suffered a knee contusion that knocked him out of action. We'll have to wait and see how well he is able to take hits during preseason.
STL TE Randy McMichael, who broke a bone in his lower right leg Sept. 28 vs. Buffalo (also tearing a tendon in his leg), and landed on IR as a result. As of May 8th, agent Drew Rosenhaus asserts that McMichael is 100 percent recovered and ready to play ball in 2009.
OAK TE Zach Miller had offseason sports hernia surgery (he disclosed this in early May). He may not participate in June practices, but is hopeful to be in action for training camp. Keep an eye on how Miller progresses once training camp begins - groin injuries are notorious for causing continuing problems even after surgical intervention (see PHI Kevin Curtis above, and BAL L.J. Smith, below).
DET TE Brandon Pettigrew had a minor issue with a tight hamstring in his first practices with Detroit, but was held out more due to an abundance of caution rather than an actual injury.
CAR TE Dante Rosario underwent lower back surgery in early May - he may be ready for training camp, but that is up in the air as of mid-May.
NO TE Jeremy Shockey is said to be fully healed from last season's sports hernia and is 'anxious' to have a big year with the Saints in 2009. He suffered from dehydration in Las Vegas during the last week of May (he was briefly hospitalized) but is reportedly 100 percent healthy as of May 27th and ready to participate fully in OTAs during June.
BAL TE L.J. Smith sat out of early May practices due to ongoing groin problems due to his sports hernia surgery performed a couple of years ago. He's battled pain from the injury/procedure for years now.
ARI TE Steven Spach had surgery to repair the ACL, MCL and meniscus in his knee in late January of 2009. He'll have a hard time getting on the field for the start of regular season.
BAL TE Quinn Sypniewski was signed to a 1 year, $1 million contract in early April despite missing last season with an ACL injury (suffered last April). He appears to be recovered from the injury.

Place Kicker

DAL PK Nick Folk underwent hip surgery on May 5th - the team is hopeful he'll be back up to speed for training camp.
DAL P Matt McBriar has recovered from his broken foot and has been punting in OTAs with no ill effects.