Major Injuries:

Cincinnatti rookie RB Kenny Irons out for 2007 season with torn ACL

Giants RB Brandon Jacobs was injured in the week one game against the Cowboys, going down with a sprained knee. Initial reports indicate he will be out from 3-5 weeks. RBs Reuben Droughns, and particularly Derrick Ward, appear to be primed to become fantasy factors in Jacobs’ absence.

Giants QB Eli Manning suffered a separated shoulder in the week one game versus the Cowboys and it was feared he would be out for a month or more. A second physician’s opinion gave Manning the possibility of returning in week two.

Bills TE Kevin Everett suffered a major spinal injury in week one while making a tackle during the Bills-Broncos game. He was intially thought to have been paralyzed, but his doctor gave him a good chance of being able to walk again.

In week 2, Texans’ WR Andre Johnson suffered an injury to his posterior cruciate ligament in his knee, and the loss was felt by the Texans in their 30-24 week 3 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. As of this writing, the Texans are still unsure of a timetable for his return, but the initial diagnosis was for anywhere from 1-5 weeks.

Week 3 of the NFL season saw many players suffer injuries, including Saints RB Deuce McAlister, who suffered a torn ACL and was declared out for the remainder of the season. Other injuries of note include Rams RB Steven Jackson, who suffered a partial tear of his left groin and is out for week 4. Steelers WR Hines Ward is listed as doubtful on the injury list for week 4. Texans’ RB Ahman Green is also likely out with a knee sprain for the week.

Several other players are continuing to play despite their injuries including Seahawks’ RB Shaun Alexander (broken wrist), Rams’ QB Marc Bulger (broken ribs), Bengals RB Rudi Johnson (hamstring), Eagles RB Brian Westbrook (abdomen), and rookie Lions WR Calvin Johnson (back).

During week 4, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost starting RB Carnell “Cadillac” Williams for the rest of the season due to a torn patellar tendon in his knee. He was replaced in the lineup by veteran running back Michael Pittman and fifth-year player Earnest Graham.
http://fantasysportsmatrix.com/node/14302/edit
Wiki | Fantasy Sports Matrix
More players were injured in week 5 of the NFL, including Miami QB Trent Green, who suffered a concussion. A timetable for his return is not yet known. Buccaneers RB Michael Pittman cracked his right fibula during a tackle and will miss 3-4 weeks. Arizona QB Matt Leinart broke his left collarbone and will miss the rest of the season after being placed on injured reserve. Carolina QB Jake Delhomme will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on his elbow.

Titans RB Chris Brown sprained his ankle in week 6 and did not play in week 7. Patriots RB Laurence Maroney has missed games in weeks 5, 6 and 7 due to a groin injury. Patriots TE Ben Watson injured his ankle in week 6 and did not play in week 7. Cardinals QB Kurt Warner sprained his elbow in week 6, but came back to start in week 7 despite wearing a cast on his arm (non-throwing). Titans QB Vince Young injured his quadriceps muscle in his game, and missed week 7. He was replaced by Kerry Collins.

In week 7, the most significant injury suffered was by Miami’s Ronnie Brown. He tore the ACL in his knee and was ruled out for the season. He was replaced on the roster by Jesse Chatman. Both Jaguars QB David Garrard and Falcons QB Byron Leftwich injured their ankles in week 7. The prognosis for both was two weeks, but perhaps longer.

Owners of Marvin Harrison remained frustrated as he missed another game week 9 with a bad knee. San Francisco’s Frank Gore was injured in week 8 (ankle) and missed the game against the Saints in week 9. He was replaced by Maurice Hicks and Micheal Robinson. Seahawk WR Deion Branch injured his foot in week 8 and was out week 9. His status for week 10 against San Francisco was listed as “doubtful”.

In week 9, the most significant injury was that of Kansas City RB Larry Johnson, who sprained his foot and was ruled “doubtful/out” by the coaching staff for their weekend clash with the Denver Broncos. Priest Holmes was slated to start in Johnson’s place, backed up by Kolby Smith. Chad Johnson suffered a vicious hit to the head area going out for a pass in week 9 and was diagnosed with a sprained neck. He is probable to play in week 10.

By far, the most significant injury of week 10 was the one suffered by Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson, who was diagnosed with partial tear of the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee. He is expected to miss at least one week, and perhaps up to 3 weeks. He ended up returning to the field in Week 13 against the Detroit Lions. Chicago’s Brian Griese was also suffered a shoulder injury in week 10 and was replaced by Rex Grossman.

Buffalo RB Marshawn Lynch suffered an ankle injury in week 10 and missed games in weeks 11-13. Fred Jackson stepped in for him and was successful iin week 13.

Philadelphia QB Donovan McNabb injured both his ankle and thumb in week 11. He missed games in weeks 12 and 13, being replaced by A.J. Feeley. Seattle WR D.J. Hackett, who had been coming on the last few weeks, injured his knee in week 11 and was effectively out on week 12 and out indefinitely from week 13 on. Nate Burleson took his place in the lineup. Finally, Denver RB Travis Henry was ruled out in week 12 with a bad knee and returned in week 13, although it was unsure whether that was his last game of the season due to his pending suspension hearings from the NFL.

Green Bay QB Brett Favre, enjoying an excellent statistical season, was injured in the week 13 contest against the Dallas Cowboys (elbow and shoulder). He is expected to be able to play against Oakland on December 9.

Also in week 13, New Orleans RB Reggie Bush tore the Post Cruciate Ligament (PCL) in his left knee. He was hopeful he was going to return and play again during the regular season, but the Saints decided to shelve him for the remainder of 2007 and he hopes to rehab and return to the field in 2008.