Injury Update- Week 1

The Counselor is IN:

Here are the key injuries on the NFL injury list.

Ben Roethlisberger- He is out for at least this week. He had an appendectomy so he should not have any long lasting affects of this minor surgery.

Hines Ward- He is probable with his hamstring. He is going to play. How will he be affected by Charlie Batch throwing the ball instead of Roethlisberger? I am not sure. I think he is still a fantasy starter.

Steve Smith- He is listed as questionable. Here is another hamstring injury. He had a hamstring injury earlier in pre-season. This injury is on his other leg. It is hard not to start Smith but I am convinced that it would not be a great decision to start him. Even if he plays, he will not be back to full strength yet. Give him at least another week.

Jamal Lewis- He is listed as questionable. How healthy is Lewis and how healthy can he stay this year? I would not look at starting him this week or many weeks of this season. His team is also playing the tough Tampa Bay Defense. My advice is to let him ride the bench.

Derrick Mason- He is also listed as questionable. Mason is a marginal starter at best. He has some upside by reuniting with McNair. I would leave Mason on the bench until off weeks demand that he plays.

Tom Brady- He is listed as Probable. Brady will play. He will be a solid QB this weekend. Start him if you have him.

Doug Gabriel- Gabriel is listed as Probable. Until you get a feel of what Gabriel's role will be on the Patriots, he is an iffy start. He will play but we are not sure how much he will play.

Cedric Benson- He is listed as questionable. The rumors out of Chicago are that he will play but he is not the starter and he is injury prone. He has great potential for the future but he is not a good start for week one.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh- He is listed as probable. He is going to play and he has a great match up with the Chiefs. Look for him to have a great game. I know I am starting him in 2 leagues.

Mike Vanderjagt- He is questionable. A questionable kicker is one that should be on the bench.

Adam Vinatieri- Another questionable kicker. Another kicker on the fantasy bench. I don't care who your back up is, I would start the back up for this week.

LenDale White- He is listed at questionable. He is not starting. He is a good keeper but not a very good start week one. To the bench with him.

Jerramy Stevens- He is listed as out for this week. Stevens will not play until the middle of October, at the earliest. If he is your TE stud, you need to go to the waiver wires and find a new TE.

Matt Leinart- Leinart is probable. He should be able to play if Warner gets hurt. He is not a starter at this point. He might be if Warner gets hurt this season.

Clinton Portis- He is listed as questionable. He is a risky player this season. The separated shoulder has sent him spirally down. When healthy, he will still have to worry about Duckett and Betts stilling carries especially at the goal line. I would not start him this week if you have any better options.

Those are the major injuries. Check out the complete injury list at NFL.com.

The counselor is OUT: