Chester Taylor Carted Off Field
Vikings RB Chester Taylor left Blakeslee Stadium on a cart this morning with a right shoulder or right arm injury. He was hit after catching a pass and, after a short period of time, appeared to be in a lot of pain.
If this injury is serious, the stock of rookie RB Adrian Peterson will go through the roof. Peterson is already highly regarded in fantasy football, but the starting job would move him up into the top 15 running backs. Taylor rushed for 1,216 yards last season with six TDs and will still have some fantasy value if this injury is not serious. Stay tuned for more details on the injury.
Terrell Owens Has Bad Hammy
Dallas WR Terrell Owens missed Tuesday afternoon's practice to rest a sore hamstring, according to the team's trainers. We have been told that this is nothing to worry about but didn't T.O. have hamstring issues last season? I hope this isn't a sign of things to come for the star receiver. As of now, T.O. is a top 5 WR that should be drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round of redraft leagues.
More Player News
Although there is no contract set to be signed in the immediate future, rookie WR Calvin Johnson's agent, Bus Cook, has said that he and the Lions are making headway. Both parties need to hurry up so this freak of a talent can get on the field. Johnson is crucial to the success of the Lions and of many fantasy footballers. Johnson is the #1 pick in many rookie drafts and is considered a WR3 in redraft leagues.
Having been limited through most of training camp because of a surgically-repaired shoulder, Patriots RB Laurence Maroney was able to get most of the first-team reps in camp today. This is good news for those of you that were worried about Maroney. I am not worried about him and would draft him as the number nine pick in the draft.
Jaguars C Brad Meester broke a bone in his right foot and will be sidelined at least eight weeks. He is scheduled to have surgery Wednesday. Meester has anchored the Jags line for years. This injury could have an impact on the effectiveness of Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers HC Jon Gruden said Tuesday that projected starting QB Jeff Garcia is nursing a hamstring injury. No worries as Garcia has plenty of time to get well and he also doesn't have much competition to worry about in Chris Simms. Garcia could be a pleasant surprise to fantasy owners this season. Draft him as a QB3.
While working out at a gym, Browns QB Charlie Frye learned from the mobile Donovan McNabb the fine art of when to run out of the pocket and when to stay put. "I picked up some different ideas from him as far as his scrambling abilities and why he doesn't do it anymore," said Frye. With Brady Quinn working on a contract, Frye is getting all the important snaps. Don't get me wrong, I still wouldn't touch Frye with a ten foot pole.
Vernand Morency to Miss Two Weeks
Green Bay RB Vernand Morency's knee injury is more serious than initially believed, and he likely will miss two weeks of practice, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said today. No details of the injury have been released but the big news is that rookie RB Brandon Jackson will get more reps in practice with Morency on the sideline. Many fantasy owners are excited about the opportunity to draft Jackson as a sleeper for the '07 season. Jackson should be drafted early in dynasty/keeper leagues, but only as a RB3 in redraft leagues.
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Detroit Lions president Matt Millen said this afternoon that rookie QB Drew Stanton will have his knee scoped to clean out cartilage. Stanton will most likely be out approximately one month. With Jon Kitna leading the way, Stanton has very little value for the '07 season.
Chicago QB Brian Griese has been disappointing in camp so far, as his passes have been off target and he continues to throw interceptions. Griese can be handcuffed with Rex Grossman if you must have a Bears quarterback on your team, but I wouldn't advise it.
Chicago Bears first round draft pick TE Greg Olsen continued to impress during Monday's practice with a spectacular one-handed TD catch. Olsen has done everything right so far as a pro. He continues to climb the TE rankings and should be drafted in keeper leagues. Tight Ends rarily have a huge fantasy impact but this guy is opening eyes.
Cowboys WR Sam Hurd is the clear No. 4 receiver in camp. HC Wade Phillips was asked about Hurd as a special teams player yesterday and responded, "We have high hopes for him as a receiver." Hurd has no fantasy value at this point with Owens, Glenn, and Crayton all seeing the field on a regular basis. Leave him on the waiver wire.
Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren has said that WR D.J. Hackett has the inside track to be the starter opposite Deion Branch. Hackett had 45 receptions and four TDs last season. He is a guy that you want to draft late in the draft. He has good potential to be a break out player this season. Draft him as your WR4 and hope he explodes onto the scene.
49ers RB Frank Gore suffered a slight setback in training camp today after it was learned he broke a bone on the top of his right hand, according to the Sacramento Bee. The injury occured during non-contact drills in the 49ers' morning practice.
HC Mike Nolan said Gore needed a cast put on the hand, but would only have to miss a portion of the pre-season. This injury is not expected to bother him into the regular season. Gore set a goal of 2,000 rushing yards in 2007.
On the bright side, it gives Nolan a real opportunity to evaluate the backups, Michael Robinson, Maurice Hicks and rookie Thomas Clayton. Currently the front-runner as Gore's primary backup is Robinson, but Hicks has shown signs of success at times and the team is also pretty high on Taylor. Stay tuned.