This article is part of our Injury Analysis series.
After months of waiting, actual football is finally here. As players don pads and begin training camp, the availability of certain individuals will provide the first concrete evidence of their progression through rehab and recovery. No longer will we have to rely on players saying they are, "better than ever" or, "ready to go" as action, or in some cases inaction, will be the real gauge of overall health. Keep a close eye on what a player is physically capable of doing and how much he is allowed to do to best prepare your draft board.
The Colts quarterback is the perfect example of the perils of misinformation. Last season, the fantasy football world went crazy trying to decode the various quotes that came from the Indianapolis front office, coaching staff and players, as to when Luck would return after offseason shoulder surgery. Sadly, months after undergoing the procedure, it was revealed the damage to Luck's labrum was a specific type of tear that carries a longer recovery. The former Pro Bowler was ultimately lost for the season, leaving many fantasy owners with nothing to show for their investment.
Luck's injury was a posterior tear of the glenoid labrum in his throwing shoulder. The glenoid labrum is a fibrocartilage ring of tissue that widens the surface area of the shoulder blade, making it better equipped to hold and stabilize the ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder. The labrum can tear suddenly following a violent, direct incident or gradually with
After months of waiting, actual football is finally here. As players don pads and begin training camp, the availability of certain individuals will provide the first concrete evidence of their progression through rehab and recovery. No longer will we have to rely on players saying they are, "better than ever" or, "ready to go" as action, or in some cases inaction, will be the real gauge of overall health. Keep a close eye on what a player is physically capable of doing and how much he is allowed to do to best prepare your draft board.
The Colts quarterback is the perfect example of the perils of misinformation. Last season, the fantasy football world went crazy trying to decode the various quotes that came from the Indianapolis front office, coaching staff and players, as to when Luck would return after offseason shoulder surgery. Sadly, months after undergoing the procedure, it was revealed the damage to Luck's labrum was a specific type of tear that carries a longer recovery. The former Pro Bowler was ultimately lost for the season, leaving many fantasy owners with nothing to show for their investment.
Luck's injury was a posterior tear of the glenoid labrum in his throwing shoulder. The glenoid labrum is a fibrocartilage ring of tissue that widens the surface area of the shoulder blade, making it better equipped to hold and stabilize the ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder. The labrum can tear suddenly following a violent, direct incident or gradually with repetitive motion. The injury leaves the affected individual in pain and compromises the overall stability of the shoulder. Surgery can fix a labrum tear but is dictated by the pattern of the tear. Tears to the anterior or front of the labrum are more common and easier to fix. Tears to the posterior labrum, like the one sustained by Luck, can be fixed but often require lengthier recoveries.
Fortunately, the lost season should insure Luck is ready to go for 2018. The likelihood of this happening was strengthened when the quarterback was seen throwing passes in mid-June, and he hasn't reported any pain or discomfort in the following weeks. He is expected to continue his rehab right up to the start of training camp. While the Colts may limit his workload at the onset of camp, it looks as though Luck will be an active participant in camp and the preseason. He will still carry a healthy amount of risk entering the year but could be in line for a bounce back campaign.
The Giants receiver continues his recovery from surgery for a fractured ankle. While he was limited to individual drills during minicamp, it appears this decision was part of his overall rehab protocol designed to have him available for the start of the regular season. Limiting his workload may carry over into training camp, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him cleared for full activity before the start of preseason.
Beckham suffered a fractured fibula last October and underwent surgery to stabilize the fracture site. Fortunately, the success rate for his surgery is high and several notable players, including former Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant, have returned to top form following comparable injuries. Expect Beckham to maintain a high average draft position to start the year.
Turf Burns
Cam Newton: Carolina's starting quarterback was able to throw passes during OTAs and is expected to be fully cleared in time for camp. Newton suffered ligament and cartilage damage in his knee during the team's playoff loss to New Orleans but opted for conservative treatment over surgical intervention. It's not out of the ordinary to see a player elect to avoid surgery, although the cartilage injury worries me more than the sprain. Ligaments can heal over time, but cartilage does not heal or regenerate like other body tissues. If the cartilage remains a problem, Newton could experience pain and swelling within the joint as the season progresses. Furthermore, Newton has a lengthy injury history and lost his All-Pro guard in the offseason. As a result, I'm dropping the former NFL MVL down a few slots on my draft board.
Allen Robinson: The newest Chicago receiver is slated to take part in Bears' training camp on July 19. He has not participated in any sanctioned team activities since joining Chicago as he continues to work his way back from a torn ACL in his left knee. Robinson is another player whose injury occurred early enough in the previous season to limit the games lost on the subsequent campaign. He is now 10 months out from the ACL reconstruction and should be ready to go for Week 1. However, keep in mind that true ligamentization can take up to a year to complete and his inherent level of injury risk will remain elevated for the immediate future.
Deshaun Watson: The second-year quarterback is hoping to build on a sensational rookie season that prematurely ended following a knee injury. Watson tore the ACL in his right knee while prepping for Week 9. He has returned to limited activity without a brace, signaling he should be available for the start of the year. However, his injury occurred later in the year, and I expect to see Houston limit his number of reps in the early days of camp. Fortunately, Watson returned to top form in 2015 after tearing the opposite ACL, setting a promising precedent for the season ahead. Continue to exhibit patience for now.
Carson Wentz: Wentz is also working his way back from a torn ACL though he seems to be the most probable candidate to start the year on the PUP list. To start, Wentz' injury was more complex than others as he also tore his lateral collateral ligament (LCL). He also suffered his injury later in the year, making it more likely his recovery carries over into 2018. Philadelphia's success with Nick Foles at the helm should buy the Eagles extra time as the team knows they won't have to risk the long-term health of the franchise during the early stages of the season. Look for the final stages of Wentz' recovery to be handled with extreme caution, limiting his time in camp and potentially the start of the year.
