Woe is me! I imagine this is how a lot of fantasy football owners are feeling after Week 1 in the NFL as several of their key fantasy football players went down injured. So today, Fantasy Sports Dish will recap the major injuries of Week 1 in the NFL so that everyone knows what went down and how to regroup with their fantasy football team.
Key Injury #1 – Tom Brady
Tom Brady Tears ACL & MCL
I’m pretty sure there is not a single person around that does not already know that Tom Brady will miss the entire 2008 NFL season. However, just in case there is someone out there that does not know, here is what happened. Brady was forced to leave Sunday’s game against the Chiefs due to an apparent knee injury and he did not return to the game. Rumors were abundant after the game that Brady had an ACL tear along with a MCL tear and would thus miss the 2008 NFL season. The New England Patriots would not commit on the extent of his injuries except to say he was schedule for an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of the injury.
On Monday, Brady was placed on injured reserve thus ending his 2008 season. Shortly thereafter, Eric Lander, a diehard Patriots fan, was heard screaming “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” after hearing the news. Due to how secretive the New England Patriots are, we STILL do not know what the actual knee injury was and probably will not know this for a while. However, the NFL Network’s Adam Schefter reported that Brady tore both his ACL and MCL on Sunday.
So What Does This Mean For Fantasy Football Owners?
Well for starters it was rumored that Tim Rattay and Chris Simms were scheduled to fly in for tryouts on Monday. However, upon arriving at the airport, both were told their services were no longer needed. So apparently the Patriots are going to stick with Matt Cassel for now as their quarterback. Either that, or there’s a trade in the works that could bring them a more proven quarterback. Also, this will affect the fantasy value of Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Laurence Maroney as Cassel is simply not Brady and does not have the poise Brady has during the game. Also, defenses will make Cassel try and beat them thus making Cassel force it more than Brady would. I doubt both Moss and Welker will be able to repeat their monster 2007 seasons with Cassel as their quarterback, but they still remain must starts.
Key Injury #2 – Marques Colston
Today, the Saints announced that Marques Colston was placed in a cast after having successful surgery to
Marques Colston Has Thumb Surgery
repair a torn ligament in his thumb. Colston was expected to have a big year after starting the year healthy; then today comes this news.
It’s being speculated that Colston was only going to miss up to four weeks, but now that he’s actually been placed in a cast it makes more sense that he’ll likely miss up to six weeks. Jacob Sloan was not happy about this as he had to spend his afternoon contemplating on who to pick up in Colston’s place as well as who to dump to make room for Colston’s replacement.
So What Does This Mean For Fantasy Football Owners?
First off, the Saints will pass 30 to 40 times per game so whomever takes over for Colston will be a good option. So with Colston out, that moves David Patten and Devery Henderson into the top 2 WR spots. However, the Saints are more likely to spread it around as they did in Week 1 as Colston was only targeted six times out of 32 pass attempts from Drew Brees. Reggie Bush and Jeremy Shockey’s values will increase as I’m sure they’ll get most of the looks from Brees. And for those of you in deeper fantasy football leagues, Robert Meachem is also an option for you.
Other Week 1 Notable Injuries
Vince Young - Another QB that was hurt on Sunday in Week 1 was Vince Young as he injured his knee during their win against Jacksonville. It was thought at first that he had torn his MCL, but it turns out that he only sprained it. Supposedly, he will be out 2-4 weeks.
Brodie Croyle – Apparently it was a bad day to be a QB in the NFL on Sunday as Croyle was the third QB to get hurt. Croyle left the third quarter with an apparent shoulder injury when he was thrown to the ground. It was later revealed that he suffered a separated shoulder and his injury is considered week to week.
Shawn Merriman – After trying to play hurt with a torn MCL and PCL, Merriman has decided to cut his season short and get the necessary surgery to repair his bum knee. This decision was based on him not “feeling right” on the field during Sunday’s game.
Drew Bennett – Looks like the Rams are in need of another WR2 as Bennett left the game on Sunday with an apparent knee injury. However, it was later revealed that he actually broke his metatarsal bone when his foot was caught in an awkward position after being tackled.
Nate Burleson - After leaving the game on Sunday in the third quarter with an apparent knee injury, a MRI later revealed that Burleson actually tore some ligaments in his left knee and is out for the 2008 season. Who can name the healthy WRs in Seattle now?
Mike Nugent - Nugent left early in the game on Sunday with a thigh injury, but due to the Jets not having another kicker on the roster he had to come in an attempt a FG and an extra point later on in the game. Currently, there’s no timetable on his return and the Jets have signed Jay Feely to kick while Nugent is out hurt.
And to think this was only Week 1! I wonder what lies ahead for all of us fantasy football owners as it does not look good. It’s time to go pickup some necessary handcuffs in your fantasy football leagues now!
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