Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is a game-time decision with a rib injury suffered during the preseason. SB Nation's medical expert Dr. Ali Mohamadi has the latest outlook for Newton and other key players on kickoff weekend.
It’s the first Sunday morning of the NFL season, which means fantasy football owners across the country are getting ready to unveil their 2014 squads in full force. Throughout the season, SB Nation Medical Expert Dr. Ali Mohamadi will provide his insights on the most notable injuries in the fantasy landscape and how they might affect your roster decisions on game day.
Here are some key injuries, and their impact, for Week 1:
Quarterbacks
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers, ribs
CAR @ TB, 4:25 p.m. ET
The status of the Panthers’ QB has been one of the league’s biggest mysteries entering the regular season, after he sustained a hairline fracture in his ribs in the team’s August 22 preseason contest with New England. Newton, who suffered the injury when he was kneed in the lower back by the Patriots’ Jamie Collins, missed Carolina’s preseason finale and was held out of practice until late this week. After yesterday’s session, however, when Newton participated without any lingering effects from the injury, all indications are that he will start when the Panthers take on Tampa Bay this afternoon.
The most significant issue with rib injuries is pain management, and players often wear protective jackets during the game to lessen the effect of hits to the affected area. If Newton is unable to play, backup Derek Anderson would get the nod at QB.
Running backs
Andre Ellington, Arizona Cardinals, foot
ARI vs. SD, Monday 10:20 p.m.
Ellington, penciled in as the Arizona’s feature back and a sleeper in fantasy football, aggravated a left foot injury in practice Thursday and is likely to be a game-time decision for tomorrow night’s game at San Diego. The Cardinals haven’t disclosed many details this week, but reports indicate it may be a muscle injury and not the dreaded Lisfranc injury, meaning a full recovery will take rest and allowing any inflammation and pain to subside. If Ellington cannot play against the Chargers, Jonathan Dwyer and Stepfan Taylor are likely to split carries for Arizona.
Wide receivers
Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers, calf
SF @ DAL, 4:25pm
As if the 49ers aren’t dealing with enough injuries, Crabtree was listed as questionable on this week’s injury report due to a calf injury that has limited his practice. While it appears the San Francisco receiver will be able to take the field when his team faces the Cowboys this afternoon, lower extremity muscle injuries are notoriously prone to aggravation if tested before having healed completely. Keep a close eye on Crabtree’s status around the time of pregame warmups; if he tests the calf and is unable to go, Anquan Boldin and Stevie Johnson would be likely to see more targets against the maligned Dallas defense.
Tight ends
Garrett Graham, Houston Texans, back
HOU vs. WAS, 1pm
Graham, an emerging threat in the Texans' offense, is listed as questionable on the Texans’ injury report but appears iffy at best to see the field today against Washington. The Houston TE suffered the injury in practice earlier this week and has been unable to participate since Wednesday, and he will likely be evaluated this morning on the field before a decision is made. Rookie C.J. Fiedorowicz would get the start at TE if Graham is unable to suit up.
Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots, knee
NE @ MIA, 1pm
The mind games they play in New England: whereas the Patriots’ TE made news this past Monday by telling reporters he would play today against Miami, the first time since his December knee surgery, Head Coach Bill Belichick was far less optimistic about Gronkowski’s availability in comments this week. Gronkowski tore his ACL in Week 13 of the 2013 season, capping off a frustrating season in which he had already missed significant time after recovering from previous surgeries to his forearm and back. If Gronkowski can suit up, he represents a dynamic option for QB Tom Brady in the New England offense, and a week-in, week-out fantasy threat. If not, backup second-year TE Tim Wright is likely to see significant action this afternoon in Miami.
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