| In June each year the football season really starts to | | | | October, his rehab has been slow. On a better note, |
| heat up. The draft has been completed, mini camps | | | | reported on June 9, 2009 that Patriots' quarterback |
| are finished and training camps are almost in full | | | | Tom Brady had been practicing on the field in the |
| swing. The summer is when football experts begin to | | | | rain. Brady in full practice is a good sign after his |
| make strong projections about player value and team | | | | surgery for a torn ACL and MCL. Brady will continue |
| performance. Injuries are one of the most talked | | | | to be a fantasy football favorite if he proves his |
| about topics during this time, while final trades are | | | | reconstructed knee can go the distance. |
| made and contracts signed. Injuries in the NFL and | | | | Raiders WR Javon Walker Chooses to Keep Surgery |
| football in general are common. In a report titled | | | | on the Down Low |
| "Players' Positions, Not Prior Injuries, Predict NFL | | | | On May 9, 2009 revealed that Oakland Raiders wide |
| Career Length" (May 28, 2009) from | | | | receiver Javon Walker had knee surgery in April and |
| MedicalNewsToday.com, a new study on NFL injuries | | | | did not notify the team. Coach Tom Cable is quoted |
| and career longevity is highlighted. | | | | in the San Francisco Chronicle saying he believes |
| The study was primarily authored by, former | | | | Walker "did the right thing by getting the surgery." It |
| Rookie-of-the-Year, All Pro defensive back and NFL | | | | is still unclear what the season holds for Walker. |
| scout for over 30 years, Milt Davis, Ph.D. | | | | Eagles RB Brian Westbrook's Ankle Surgery |
| Unfortunately Davis died in September of 2008 | | | | According to writer Michael Davis Smith of |
| before he could present the findings. Pat Lombardi, | | | | NFL.Fanhouse.com, "the Philadelphia Eagles have |
| Ph.D., another author of the study stated, "During the | | | | confirmed that running back Brian Westbrook will |
| course of the study, Milt demonstrated that nearly | | | | have surgery to remove bone spurs in his right |
| three-fourths of all players had more than two | | | | ankle." Recovery time for this procedure is usually 2 |
| significant injuries, and that one of two had a major | | | | or 3 months so Westbrook may miss training camp |
| surgery prior to entering the NFL." (Source: American | | | | and the preseason. Smith wonders if Westbrook's |
| College of Sports Medicine) Although injuries don't | | | | time as an elite running back is coming to an end. |
| have to shorten a player's career, they have a | | | | Seattle Seahawks WR Deion Branch Says "His Knee |
| dramatic effect on fantasy football value. Now that | | | | Will Never Feel Normal Again" |
| the 2009 draft is over, let's review some of the | | | | Wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks Deion |
| most recent NFL injury reports. | | | | Branch underwent reconstructive knee surgery this |
| Dallas Cowboys Handle Common Knee and Hamstring | | | | year. Branch was recently quoted by the Associated |
| Injuries | | | | Press as saying, "You will never be back to normal |
| recently reported that wide receivers Miles Austin | | | | once you have this type of procedure done." If his |
| and Isaiah Stanback are unlikely to be present at the | | | | recovery goes well Branch will make a decent |
| start of the Cowboys' training camp. According to | | | | fantasy receiver, but his performance may fall short |
| the Dallas Morning News Austin's hamstring injury has | | | | of previous years. |
| cost him three weeks of practice, but he is hoping to | | | | Additional Fantasy Football Considerations |
| be ready and healthy by the start of the 2009 | | | | There are endless stories involving NFL injuries and |
| season. confirms Austin's sleeper value will increase if | | | | potential fantasy problems. Keep these facts in mind |
| he comes back on the field healthy. reported in May | | | | when choosing you fantasy draft this season. |
| that Stanback did have "arthroscopic surgery to | | | | 1. Pittsburg Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger |
| repair a meniscus tear in his right knee." It is doubtful | | | | suffered a minor knee injury in early June, but was |
| he will be ready at the start of training camp, but | | | | back at practice a day later according to the |
| Jerry Jones is quoted as saying, "I know that that's | | | | Associated Press. |
| frustrating for him, but he's got enough time. He | | | | 2. Marshawn Lynch, running back for the Buffalo Bills, |
| works hard, and he'll get back out there." The bodes | | | | skipped minicamp due to a swollen foot. Xrays and |
| well for Cowboys fans. | | | | tests show the injury is minor according to Fantasy |
| Knee Injuries Lead to Different Outcomes for | | | | leagues should consider Fred Jackson as a necessary |
| Patriots WR Tate and QB Brady | | | | backup. |
| Pat's wide receiver Brandon Tate could very likely | | | | 3. An HBO interview with Brett Favre confirmed his |
| end up on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list | | | | shoulder surgery. Decisions regarding Favre and the |
| due to his slow recovery from knee surgery | | | | Vikings will be made at the end of July once his |
| according to Although the surgery took place in | | | | health has been evaluated. |