Preseason Update: Injuries And Updates From Week 1

Nothing is worse in fantasy football than learning a player you drafted before the regular season received a substantial injury that will require that player to miss some of the regular season. Fortunately, aside from injuries, the preseason also helps you determine what players may breakout during the year. Although a breakout performance may be nothing more than a average day against another team's third-string defense, consistently repeating such performances may indicate they deserve a spot on your roster. I am not saying that you should lay it all on the line to get these players, but I am saying you should pay attention to them to see if their high performance continues. The following is a list of the big injuries and breakouts that every fantasy owner should know about from preseason week one.

Injuries

Willis McGahee, BAL, RB: McGahee will undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair his knee and should miss the remainder of the preseason. The bad news everyone knows is that McGahee has a history of knee problems since the national championship game against Ohio State. The bad news most owners do not know is that he had this same procedure in the past, followed by a decline in production during that season with the Bills. If you have McGahee, look into picking up Ray Rice if this continues to give McGahee trouble.

Bobby Engram, SEA, WR: Engram is expected to miss 6-8 weeks with a cracked shoulder. This is not a set timetable for his return, but while he is out you can expect that Nate Burleson and John Carlson will receive a lot more attention on offense. This could be good or bad depending on the performance of Matt Hasselback with such limited options on offense.

Steve Smith, CAR, WR: After going UFC style on his own teammate, the opposition decided to return the favor. Smith received a concussion in the preseason opener after catching a pass good for 19 yards. Although the concussion will not force him to miss any time, this is another thing the team is concerned with in the preseason, in addition to fighting his own teammate and facing a suspension for his actions.

Ryan Torain, DEN, RB: I predicted he would be a sleeper in Denver and his recent injury assures he will be "sleeping" somewhere. Torain broke a bone in his elbow, which will force him to miss three months after undergoing surgery. If he is able to make it back in the middle of the season, monitor the runningback situation in Denver and look to snag Torain off the waiver wire.

Breakout Performances

DeAngelo Williams, CAR, RB: Williams took advantage of every opportunity he was given in the first preseason game. After Jonathan Stewart was forced to miss the first game due to an injury to his toe, Williams carried the ball nine times for 55 yards, adding two touchdowns in the effort. This is a very positive sign for Carolina, meaning Williams will get many more options to prove he should still be the starter during the regular season.

Aaron Rodgers, GB, QB: It is amazing how quickly a franchise can forget a man who threw for 61,655 yards and 442 touchdowns in 16 seasons! It is also amazing how quickly they will remember him if Rodgers can't follow up his performance in the first preseason game with a similar performance. Rodgers went 9/15 for 117 yards, connecting with James Jones for a 30-yard score and setting up a field goal in the first quarter. Although this was the Bengals, Rodgers showed some signs that he did learn something from the great Brett Favre. Monitor this situation and if he continues to play well, Rodgers may be a solid #2 quarterback worthy of a late round pick in fantasy drafts.

Calvin Johnson, DET, WR: Roy Williams has played in every regular season game one time in his career, missing at least four games in every other year. With that being said, Williams and Johnson make a good 1-2 punch at the receiver position. After posting 78 yards on 4 catches in his first preseason game, look for Johnson to continue to shine in 2008. With the inconsistent health of Williams, Johnson may find himself in the #1 receiver position in Detroit during the year.

Ben Utecht, CIN, TE: Hidden in the shadows of Dallas Clark while in Indy, Ben Utecht is now in a high powered offense with another great quarterback in control. Utecht scored a touchdown on four catches good for 34 yards in the preseason opener against Green Bay. With the departure of Chris Henry, look for Utecht to establish himself as the third passing options in Cincinnati's pass friendly offense.