Week 1 Fantasy Injuries

The Counselor is IN:

Here are the Week 1 fantasy injuries and my commentary. When a player is placed on Injured Reserve for the season, I will mention it that week but not every week afterwards.

Cardinals:
No significant fantasy injuries.

Falcons:
QB D.J. Shockley was placed on Injured Reserves for ACL repair and is out for the season. This should not affect your season unless you’re in a 30 person league and a Falcon fan.

WR Brian Finneran is out for the year on the Injured Reserved for knee reconstruction surgery. It just gets worse and worse for the Falcons.

Ravens:
TE Daniel Wilcox is probable with his ankle injury. Wilcox is Todd Heap's backup. Unless Heap is injured, Wilcox will not be of any value for your fantasy team.

WR Mark Clayton is probable with a sprained ankle. He was running full speed at practice on Monday. He will start and could be a decent third wide receiver for your team.

Bills:
WR Lee Evans is probable with a calf strain. Evans will start this week without a problem. He will be facing the Bronco's and their tough group of CB's. You might want to start someone else if you can.

Panthers:
TE Michael Gaines was placed on Injury Reserve on Sunday and then waived from the team with a settlement for his injury on Tuesday. He might be coaching a Mighty Might Football team this year and will have some value to them but not your fantasy team.

Bears:
TE Greg Olson is listed as Questionable for his left knee. He did not practice on Wednesday. This is concerning. He is 50/50 to play. Olson should not be your primary TE until he proves himself. But if he is, find someone else to start this week in case he sits this one out.

WR Muhsin Muhammad missed practice on Monday for general soreness. He is probable to play on Sunday. He is going against a tough San Diego defense but he should be fine as a third WR.

Bengals:
WR Antonio Chapman is out with a Hamstring injury. Chapman is a fine reserve player with some upside but should not consider for starting except for a possible off week here or there.

WR TJ Houshmandzadeh is listed as questionable for Monday night and did not practice on Thursday. Coach Marvin Lewis stated that he is not worried about TJ missing practice and expects him to start Monday night. TJ not practicing on Thursday might not worry Marvin but it does worry me. I would keep a close eye on this injury before pulling the trigger to start him.

K Shayne Graham is listed as questionable with a bruised hip for Monday night. A hip injury to your kicker is bad news. Graham should play but will he be able to kick field goals over 40 yards? If you have a good back up, bench Graham until you see how he plays.

TE Reggie Kelly is probable with a bruised right hip. Kelly is more of blocking TE than a pass catching TE. Kelly should start but do not expect much fantasy value out of him.

RB Chris Perry is on the PUP for an ankle injury. He will be allowed to return after the first six weeks of the season.

Browns:
No significant fantasy injuries. Of course that is assuming they have significant fantasy players on the Browns.

Cowboys:
WR Terry Glenn is questionable for Sunday's game. He is having swelling in his repaired knee. He did not practice on Thursday after practicing on Wednesday. It appears he will be out for a couple weeks. Put him on your bench and leave him there until he can practice a few days in a row. You might want to see if Crayton is available in your league.

K Martin Gramatica has been placed injured reserve ending his season and the competition for the Cowboys kicker. Gramatica might receive an injury settlement but Nick Folk did win the kicking job.

Broncos:
RB Travis Henry is listed as probable with a knee sprain. Henry is reporting that he is healthy and ready to start his rushing career in Denver. He will start and is ready to run against his old team in Buffalo. He should be started.

WR Rod Smith is on the PUP and is not eligible to return until week 7. If he does return then, he will be using his walker to run routes.

TE Teyo Johnson is on the IR for the rest of the season. This is no big loss for the Broncos.

Lions:
WR Mike Furrey is listed as questionable with knee soreness but he should play on Sunday. He is slated to start opposite of Roy Williams but he has Calvin Johnson breathing down his neck.

Packers:
WR Greg Jennings is listed as probable with a hamstring. He was limited in practice on Thursday, which is concerning, but he reports he is not in pain. He is not good play this week.

RB Vernand Morency has a knee injury and is listed as probable. He is the back up running back. He also missed part of practice.

RB Brandon Jackson is also listed as probable and missed part of practice Thursday. He is probable for a concussion. He is expected to play and start on Sunday. Jackson and Coach McCarthy both pronounced Jackson ready to go for this week.

WR Donald Driver is the fourth Packer's fantasy player listed as probable this week. His injury is to his foot. Driver should start and would be a good number two WR.

Texans:
No significant fantasy injuries.

Colts:
TE Mike Seidman, was placed on injured reserve and is out for the season. He was their 4th TE. If he landed on your team by mistake, get rid of him quickly even if it is for a cheerleader.

Jaguars:
No significant fantasy injuries.

Chiefs:
QB Damon Huard is listed as probable for a calf injury. This is a minor issue and he will start for the Chiefs. He should not be starting for your team on week 1.

Dolphins:
No significant fantasy injuries.

Vikings:
WR Bobby Wade, top wide receiver for the Vikings, is listed as day to day for an ankle injury but he practiced fully today. He will start against Atlanta on Sunday.

WR Robert Ferguson is listed as probable for an ankle injury. He is only worth 6th receiver status when healthy.

Saints:
TE Mark Campbell is listed as out for the game. Since he is their #2 TE, he should not be your #1. Bench him if you have him and then pick up someone for him. He is not worth owning.

Patriots:
QB Tom Brady is probable with a shoulder injury and missed part of practice on Thursday. There is no chance that he will not start on Sunday. Start him unless you hear he is not going to play.

WR Chad Jackson is on the PUP list. He will be out through week six of the season.

Giants:
WR Plaxico Burress was listed as probable but now has been removed from the injury list. He will start for the Giants.

Jets:
RB Thomas Jones is questionable and did not fully participate in practice on Thursday day. If you have a good back up, bench Jones. Otherwise keep a close eye on this injury.

Eagles:
TE L.J. Smith is listed as questionable with a groin injury but he has practiced all week. He is expected to start on Sunday.

Steelers:
TE Health Miller is listed as probable to start. Coach Tomlin stated that Miller is healthy and will start. His match up with be tough this week.

Chargers:
RB Michael Turner is listed as probable but he practiced fully on Thursday. He should be backing up Tomlinson on Sunday.

49ers:
RB Frank Gore is probable for his hand injury. He will be starting Monday night. Start him if you have him.

WR Darrell Jackson missed practice on Tuesday. It appears he will be starting on Monday night also.

Rams:
WR Drew Bennett is questionable and missed practice on Wednesday. He returned to limited practice on Thursday. It is not recommended to start Bennett this week.

WR Torry Holt was listed as probable but since then has practiced and has been removed from the injury report.

Buccaneers:
TE Alex Smith is probable but has practiced all week. Smith is not a great start even when healthy.

Titans:
WR David Givens is another player on the PUP. When he comes back, he still will not be worth owning.

Redskins:
QB Jason Campbell is listed as probable for his left knee. He should be close to 100 percent and will start this weekend.

RB Clinton Portis is probable for his right knee. He practiced fully on Thursday and most of the week. He will be starting. You could do worse for a number two back.

That is all the fantasy injuries for this week.

The Counselor is OUT: