2010-09-09 10:42:29
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
RealTime Fantasy Sports
 Fitz claims to be 100 percentHate to be Debbie Downer, but I really can't remember an opening week with so many injury concerns. There are a lot of players on this report for Week 1, which is kind of unusual at this time of year. There aren't a lot of key players that are out, though, which is good news. But we do have some marquee guys that are nicked some, causing concern for this first week of the season. Let's hope this isn't a trend for the coming year. Injuries are no fun for anyone! Josh Freeman, QB, Bucs. Freeman missed practice early in the week, but should get in some work before the week is over. The Bucs were holding him out as a precaution as he recovers from his broken thumb. We'll know more about his status in the next day or two, but for now, consider him fairly likely to play as long as he doesn't have a setback with the injury. The Bucs said all along they expected Freeman to be ready for Week 1 of the season.
Steve Slaton, RB, Texans. Slaton is suffering from turf toe but seems to have a pretty mild case of the injury. He is already practicing in full this week and is expected to play in the Week 1 game. Turf toe can be a nagging injury, though, so Slaton might get a little less work early in the year. Fred Jackson, RB, Bills. Jackson is trying to return from his broken hand sooner than expected. He is progressing well and has a chance to play Week 1. The Bills actually expect Jackson to be available for the game, but C.J. Spiller has been named the starter and should get the bulk of the work at running back this week. Jackson will be eased into action. Michael Bush, RB, Raiders. Bush is trying to return from thumb surgery, but has a good chance to play Week 1. He has just a small bandage and splint on his thumb. He might not get his full workload if he plays, but seems to have a decent chance to play. Either way, he is a bit of a risk this first week of the season since you just don't know how Bush will play. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars. There is a lot of concern over Jones-Drew knee, but Jones-Drew says he is healthy and doesn't have any injury entering the start of the season. He isn't even listed on the Injury Report, which is a good sign. But we still are concerned about the knee, especially with the reports saying he might not make it through the season. It is something to monitor. We'll know his health a little better once we see him play in true game speed. Donovan McNabb, QB, Redskins. McNabb is participating in full during practice this week. His sprained ankle is slowing him some, but doesn't look to keep him out of the Week 1 game. McNabb should be fine to play this week. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Broncos. Moreno is practicing in full for the Broncos this week. His hamstring still isn't 100 percent and he could be a little tentative early in season, but Moreno should get the start Week 1. He just might not get the big workload early in the year that he might get later. Laurence Maroney, RB, Patriots. We still aren't sure what is going on with Maroney, but it seems an injury could be what held him out of all the preseason action. He apparently has some sort of groin injury, which has prevented him from practicing this week. We would just steer clear of Maroney until he gets healthy and starts getting consistent playing time. Steve Smith, WR, Panthers. Smith seems about fully recovered from his broken arm. He has been practicing a few weeks and has been a full participant in practices this week. Feel free to get him in your lineup. Dez Bryant, WR, Cowboys. Bryant seems ready to play this week. His sprained ankle is doing better and he is getting work in practice. Bryant might be eased into action during his first NFL game, making him a tad risky compared to later in the season. He has upside in a good passing game, though. Owen Daniels, TE, Texans. Daniels is recovering from knee surgery, but has a decent chance to play Week 1. He has been limited in practice the last few weeks. The Texans expect him to play but will put him on a limited snap count. He is risky because of his unknown playing time, but has obvious upside in a top-flight Texans passing game. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals. Fitzgerald might have to wear a knee brace, but is expected to be ready for Week 1. He was a full participant in practice Wednesday, which is a good sign for the coming week. As long as he is playing, especially against the Rams, he should be in your lineup. And Fitz stated yesterday he is 100 percent healthy heading into the season, so take that for what it is worth. Chris Wells, RB, Cardinals. Wells has a nagging knee injury that could keep him out of the Week 1 game. Wells is improving, but no sure thing to play this week. He isn't practicing just yet, which is an obvious concern. And even if he plays, expect limited playing time for Wells. It is early in the season and the Cardinals aren't going to push their young back too hard. Demaryius Thomas, WR, Broncos.. Thomas made it back to the practice field this week. His foot injury is improving. He apparently looked pretty good this week, but that doesn't mean he'll get a ton of playing time. Thomas has missed a lot of practice and is a rookie, so he could be limited a little early in the year, making him a risk for fantasy teams Week 1. If you have any questions or comments, please email Jeff Paur at jeff@rtsports.com | 
