From probable to doubtful, here is a rundown of the Week 1 injury report, along with some advice on how to handle your hobbled players. (Note: There are no quarterbacks on this report. For those wondering, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have both been cleared to play on Sunday, and are absent from their team injury reports.)
Running Backs
Willis McGahee (BAL) – Probable. Not 100 percent from off-season knee surgery.
Advice: I have to admit; I don't think McGahee is a definite non-start this weekend. Granted he has Ray Rice breathing down his neck, but Cincinnati is a weak match up. Something tells me McGahee wants to prove himself this weekend, even if it comes in limited touches. He's a flex at best, but if you drafted depth at running back, you're probably going to bench him.
Jamal Lewis (CLE) – Questionable. Strained hamstring.
Advice: It will be a frustrating first weekend for Lewis owners. The team is calling him a game-time decision, and the Browns play at 4:15 on Sunday. If you have other late starting RBs, the decision will be easier to manage. If not, you may have to pull the trigger on your backup at around 12:45 on game day.
Ryan Grant (GB) – Probable. Hamstring injury.
Advice: Injury aside, Grant draws the toughest match up possible Week 1 against the Vikings. He'll almost definitely play, so his MNF game time isn't a factor. Similar to McGahee, if you're deep at RB, you may want to consider benching him. I, however, don't like playing matchups with top ten RBs, and would find it hard to bench Grant if I owned him.
Deuce McAllister (NO) – Questionable. Injuries to both knees.
Advice: McAllister will not receive a lot of touches this Sunday, but should play in a committee along with Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas. It will be nearly impossible for him to reach respectable yardage, but due to Tampa's lockdown pass coverage in the redzone, Deuce is a decent bet to score a TD. If you like to speculate on scores, he is an interesting flex option if activate
Wide Receivers
D.J. Hackett (CAR) – Probable. Toe injury.
Advice: Hackett is one of the most banged up WRs in the league, so it's no surprise he's showing up on the Week 1 injury report. With Steve Smith out, Hackett should see a lot of targets, but will likely be covered by shut-down CB Antonio Cromartie. He is an iffy WR3, but may be too tempting for owners trying to capitalize on Smith's suspension.
Chad Ocho Cinco (CIN) – Probable. Shoulder injury.
Advice: I can't explain how enjoyable it was to write that for the first time in a post. As for his injury, Ocho Cinco made owners a little nervous a few weeks ago, but is now looking like a must start vs. Baltimore. It's a tough match up, but not for Chad, who scored against them Week 1 of last year.
Reggie Williams (JAX) – Probable. Hamstring/knee injuries.
Advice: Williams is a boom or bust option due to his TD potential, but it was all bust last year against the Titans (1 catch for 13 yards in two games). He isn't an attractive option at all this weekend with two hampering injuries.
Laveranues Coles (NYJ) – Questionable. Thigh injury.
Advice: I could have written, "allergy to hall of fame quarterbacks" instead of "thigh injury," but why drag Jets drama into the injury report? Coles is a hall of famer himself, as far as the injury report is considered. He's been practicing and will likely play, but check his status on Sunday to be safe. Coles can be a great WR3 this season if healthy.
Javon Walker (OAK) – Questionable. Strained hamstring.
Advice: Good ole’ coach Lane Kiffin made this one a little easier on us, saying that Walker must practice on Saturday to play Monday night. So obviously, Walker owners should follow up on that statement before making a decision.
Joey Galloway (TB) – Questionable. Groin injury.
Advice: The Bucs should start handing out canes to their WRs. They're old. Galloway is looking like another game-time decision on Sunday. I didn't raise an eyebrow when this guy was taken in drafts, due to his boom or bust game log. However, if there is any team to start him against it's the Saints, who he crushed in two games last season. Monitor this one.
Tight Ends
Antonio Gates (SD) – Probable. Not 100 percent from toe surgery.
Advice: Apparently Gates was misquoted, after a report came out that he wasn't starting Week 1. Nonetheless, he admitted his toe isn't 100 percent. While people with a solid backup may consider benching Gates due to all the uncertainty, I wouldn't. It's only Week 1. Gates is worth the risk.
Benjamin Watson (NE) – Doubtful. Knee injury.
Advice: When I see doubtful next to a TE, I know it's time to look at other options. Watson isn't an ideal starting TE anyway, so this shouldn't pose much of a problem for fantasy owners.
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