124 Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 AFC East: Key injury update May 29, 2008 12:01 PM Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando This is the first in a series of divisional reports examining pivotal injuries that could impact each NFL team heading into training camp and the regular season. ESPN.com fantasy sports expert Christopher Harris provides a "fantasy spin" on each player. We begin by focusing on a key injury affecting each team in the AFC East. BUFFALO BILLS Player, position, injury: Paul Posluszny, LB, broken left arm. Rehab status: Posluszny has been cleared for contact. He is practicing with the Bills during their ongoing camp and even picked off a Trent Edwards pass near the goal line Wednesday. He appears fully recovered after undergoing season-ending surgery in September to repair two broken bones in his forearm. Next step: Being cleared for full-contact work is one thing. Participating in full-contact work is quite another. Posluszny won't get that chance until training camp. He's had plenty of time to recover, however, and the Bills expect him to help fortify their run defense. Posluszny has the potential to be an impact player. Fantasy spin: No impact. MIAMI DOLPHINS Player, position, injury: Ronnie Brown, RB, torn right knee ligaments. Rehab status: Brown underwent surgery to repair a torn anterior-cruciate ligament on Nov. 1. He is carrying the ball and changing direction effectively during the Dolphins' ongoing practices. The team is taking precautions to protect Brown from unnecessary contact. Next step: The Dolphins expect Brown to be ready for training camp. They are encouraged by his progress so far, but it's still early. Only seven months have passed since Brown underwent surgery. Fantasy spin: Ricky Williams will be a fly in the fantasy ointment even if Brown is ready to go by training camp. Bill Parcells (and his proxy Tony Sparano) have been known to favor backfield committees, and Williams reported to organized team activities in very good shape. Brown is a terrific pass-catcher and has additional value in points-per-reception leagues, but despite his strong start in '07, he's not a No. 1 fantasy back entering '08. And if his knee isn't healthy? Williams's value would spike, and rookie Jalen Parmele could steal third-down touches. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS Player, position, injury: Benjamin Watson, TE, cartilage damage in left ankle. Rehab status: Watson continues to rehab following the ankle surgery he underwent in March. He is not participating in the Patriots' ongoing passing camp. Watson initially injured the ankle when Dallas' Roy Williams tackled him awkwardly during an Oct. 14 game. He was hurt again during a Dec. 9 game against Pittsburgh. Next step: The team holds a mandatory camp beginning June 6. There's no reason to expect the Patriots to rush their most dynamic tight end. Getting Watson on the field for training camp could be the top priority. Even then, the Patriots might be wise to ease him into action. Fantasy spin: If Watson is healthy and regains explosiveness, he'll resume his role as a primary red-zone threat for one of the league's scariest offenses. He's not a candidate for 100-plus targets, but even 75 would make him a borderline fantasy starter. David Thomas would benefit as a pass-catcher if Watson can't get his ankle right; the aging Marcus Pollard looked stiff in minicamp and doesn't seem like much of a fantasy threat. NEW YORK JETS Player, position, injury: Laveranues Coles, WR, high ankle sprain. Rehab status: Coles is participating in ongoing practices after recovering from the knee, calf, ankle, torso and head injuries that reportedly slowed him last season. The ankle injury bothered Coles most noticeably, leading the Jets to place him on injured reserve in December. Next step: Coles simply needed some downtime to recuperate from his injuries. While the Jets are notoriously tight-lipped about injuries, nothing should stop Coles from regaining the consistency he showed while never missing a game from 2001 until last season. Fantasy spin: If he's healthy, Coles is one of the league's faster receivers, but the Jets continue to use him almost like a possession guy. He was 72nd in yards per reception among qualifiers last year. Perhaps if Kellen Clemens improves, Coles will get more downfield chances. If Coles struggles with injury again, Brad Smith and Chansi Stuckey figure to get chances, though neither guy projects as much of an outside threat or fantasy option. Rookie Marcus Henry is a project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alk Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS Player, position, injury: Benjamin Watson, TE, cartilage damage in left ankle. Rehab status: Watson continues to rehab following the ankle surgery he underwent in March. He is not participating in the Patriots' ongoing passing camp. Watson initially injured the ankle when Dallas' Roy Williams tackled him awkwardly during an Oct. 14 game. He was hurt again during a Dec. 9 game against Pittsburgh. Next step: The team holds a mandatory camp beginning June 6. There's no reason to expect the Patriots to rush their most dynamic tight end. Getting Watson on the field for training camp could be the top priority. Even then, the Patriots might be wise to ease him into action. Fantasy spin: If Watson is healthy and regains explosiveness, he'll resume his role as a primary red-zone threat for one of the league's scariest offenses. He's not a candidate for 100-plus targets, but even 75 would make him a borderline fantasy starter. David Thomas would benefit as a pass-catcher if Watson can't get his ankle right; the aging Marcus Pollard looked stiff in minicamp and doesn't seem like much of a fantasy threat. Roy Williams tackling someone awkwardly and hurting their leg? Get out of here!! Am I the only one who didn't know that Pollard was a Patriot? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
124 Posted May 29, 2008 Author Share Posted May 29, 2008 Roy Williams tackling someone awkwardly and hurting their leg? Get out of here!! Am I the only one who didn't know that Pollard was a Patriot? You're not alone Alk, I had no idea as well. Interesting pick-up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadwayJ667 Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Belichick loves those TE's and damn that was a quiet signing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSJets Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Roy Williams tackling someone awkwardly and hurting their leg? Get out of here!! Am I the only one who didn't know that Pollard was a Patriot? Maybe if you spent more time on a Pats' board you would pick up on these things Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alk Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Maybe if you spent more time on a Pats' board you would pick up on these things Maybe if you spent less time being a dick...dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StillerPaul Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Maybe if you spent more time on a Pats' board you would pick up on these things lol Hey man, nice shot . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSJets Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Maybe if you spent less time being a dick...dick Refraining from posting something not family friendly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alk Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 lol Hey man, nice shot . Filter - one hit wonder... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StillerPaul Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Filter - one hit wonder... lol good job i see u know your music. Now u just gotta study up on them Pats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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