In response to subscribers' requests, the feature is a companion to the Top 200 Performance feature, posted 8/26/04 by David Dodds. The list of players detailed below (sorted by position) follows the organization of the Top 200 feature, where we list the top 200 overall players sorted by our Value Based Drafting principles. The numerical ranking you see next to a player's name is where he ranks in our top 200 Performance list).

Note that not every bump and bruise that has occurred during training camp is detailed - we limited the scope of the report to injuries that have affected the top offensive skill position players (those likely to have a fantasy impact in 2004). The list includes players who have recently missed significant practice time/game time, or those players with injuries which are or may become nagging injuries (the type that dog a player throughout a season), though the player in question is playing through the pain.

Quarterbacks

• 45. Michael Vick, QB Atlanta - Vick has a sore right hamstring, and recently described the sensation as if the hamstring had a "knot" in it - he reports that he can't run very well due to the injury. Vick is considered questionable to play in the preseason finale Friday at Washington. There are interesting rumblings in Atlanta as backup QB Matt Schaub has been outstanding. Just remember it's been against pre season defenses. When healthy, Vick's job is in no danger whatsoever but the fact that Schaub has looked very capable is interesting.



• 64. Aaron Brooks, QB NO - Brooks missed the first preseason game due to a strained right quadriceps but rejoined practices and started in the second game. However, Brooks re-injured the quad in the second game and has not overcome the injury to date. He was limited in practice on Monday and is considered doubtful for the preseason finale vs. Miami.



• 142. Tim Rattay, QB SF - Rattay returned to the team just before training camp with a surgically repaired groin, and promptly started having problems with soreness (tendonitis say the coaches, a pulled muscle says Rattay) in his right (throwing) forearm. He tried throwing in practice on 8/17, but was only effective tossing short routes - throwing downfield caused pain in the forearm. Rattay played in the most recent preseason game, going 7/10 for 51 yards, 0 TDs and 0 interceptions. He is no longer listed on the SF injury report.

Other players of note outside the top 200

• Buffalo is in a bad way at backup QB, with both JP Losman (broken leg) and Travis Brown (knee) sustaining serious injuries - both players are out until October, at the earliest. If Drew Bledsoe goes down, the Bills' passing game is in deep trouble. Greg Zolman, from Vanderbilt, is the only other QB currently on the roster (he's been on 5 NFL teams' rosters since 2002). Zolman was the backup to Chad Hutchinson on the NFLEL Fire this spring, passing 65/103 for 723 yards, 3 TDs and 5 interceptions.
  On Monday, 8/30, the Bills signed Shane Matthews as a backup QB.

Running Backs

• 1. Priest Holmes, RB KC - Holmes reported recently that though he is playing through the pain, his injured hip is chronically sore. While it hasn't stopped him from playing, he's not 100%. Although less than 100% of Holmes is obviously plenty enough. Holmes was dominant vs. St. Louis on 8/23/04 with 6/31/1 rushing and 1/11/0 receiving during a limited appearance. He also ran very well against Cleveland, and seems just fine heading into the regular season.



• 4. Ahman Green, RB Green Bay - Green gave folks a scare with an apparent knee injury last week but it's just a bruised kneecap. "He'll be fine," head coach Mike Sherman said. "When he took the hit, it moved the kneecap a little bit and scared him and me. Many, many thoughts go through your head at that time, a player of that magnitude." An MRI when the team returned to Green Bay confirmed it was just a bruise on the kneecap. He'll likely miss the final pre season game but he looks good to go for week 1.



• 11. Fred Taylor, RB Jacksonville - H.C. Del Rio reported that Taylor will miss the August 27th game vs. Green Bay due to a strained foot, according to reports circulating on 8/23/04. Coach Del Rio insists that the injury is "nothing major". The injury is considered day-to-day heading into the preseason finale at New England. Remember that Taylor sat out much of last year's preseason and was fine for the regular season.



• 14. Travis Henry, RB Buffalo - Henry injured his ribs in the preseason game vs. the Titans, and missed practice on 8/23/04. He didn't play vs. Indianapolis on Saturday, August 28th, and is considered questionable for the Thursday preseason game at Detroit.



• 16. Michael Bennett, RB Minnesota - Bennett injured his knee in the preseason game vs. San Francisco, and an MRI showed more damage than was originally suspected. He is out for the season opener for sure, and may need until late September to return to the playing field. He describes the sprained knee as "really sore" and has expressed regret that he will miss the season opener. Adjust your projections accordingly.



• 17. Domanick Davis, RB Houston - Davis returned from his ankle problems to tear up Denver to the tune of 7/49/0 rushing and 2/20/0 receiving. He appears to be at 100% heading into regular season action.



• 26. Stephen Davis, RB Carolina - Davis missed the last preseason game vs. New England due to a sore knee, and is considered questionable to play against Pittsburgh on Thursday.



• 28. Marshall Faulk, RB, St. Louis - Faulk started on MNF 8/23/04 and managed 6/16/0 rushing (1/9/0 receiving) in the face of persistent rumors that his knees are degenerating. He does not appear on any preseason injury reports, and put up 4/11/0 rushing in very limited work week 3 vs. Washington.



• 40. Kevin Jones, RB Detroit - Jones has returned to full practices after missing roughly 2 weeks with a severe left hamstring strain. Coach Mariucci has indicated that the rookie has a lot of catching up to do by opening day as a result of this injury. Jones led the teams' rushing effort in week 2 of preseason, vs. Cleveland (6/29/0). He also led the team against a very tough Ravens' D last week. Jones gained 36 yards on seven carries against the Ravens last Saturday (8/28), with a long run of 15 yards. "He ran aggressively as well," Mariucci said. ... The coach also liked the way Jones played through the pain of a sprained left foot, suffered in practice last Thursday (8/26). Jones kept ice on his foot, warmed up before the game and played. It showed some toughness. ... Don't be surprised, however, if Jones is held out of this week's preseason finale.



• 49. Charlie Garner, RB TB - Garner missed the first two preseason games of the year due to a sore hamstring. He rushed 4 times for 20 yards vs. Miami in the week 3 preseason game.



• 50. Warrick Dunn, RB Atlanta - Dunn has a slight thigh injury which renders him questionable for the Friday preseason finale. Initial reports were that he suffered from cramps in last week's game but we're hearing it called a slight strain. The injury is not considered serious at this time.



• 83. Stephen Jackson, RB St. Louis - Jackson missed practice on 8/17 due to a sore knee. Jackson ran for 14/53/1 vs. KC on 8/23/04 so the sore knee doesn't look too serious. He followed the KC game up with a 25/125/1 effort vs. Washington.



• 145. Anthony Thomas, RB Chicago - Thomas is nursing an abdominal/rib injury which has cost him practice and game time in the first weeks of preseason He is considered questionable to play in Friday's preseason game.



• 189. Amos Zereoue, RB Oakland - Zereoue injured a leg two weeks ago and missed practice on 8/17. He is no longer listed on the Oakland injury report.

Other players of note outside the top 200

• 238. Mike Anderson, RB Denver - Mike Anderson tore two muscles in his groin away from the bone during the preseason game vs. Houston and is done for the season. Tatum Bell and Garrison Hearst will backup starter Quentin Griffin at RB.



• Correll Buckhalter, RB, Philadelphia - Out for the season due to a torn patellar tendon.



• Tony Hollings, RB Houston left the game vs. Pittsburgh during week 2 of the preseason with sore ribs and did not return to action. In week 3 he played vs. Denver.



• Tatum Bell, RB Denver has pins in his broken finger and has been handling the ball gingerly in practice. He was a late scratch for the game vs. Seattle, and managed 9/23/0 rushing in limited work vs. Houston.



• Marcel Shipp, RB Arizona - out for the season with fractured fibula (surgery to repair this injury); he also suffered a severely dislocated left ankle in addition to the broken bone.

Wide Receivers

• 21. Terrell Owens, WR Philadelphia - Owens struggled to practice in San Francisco last season due to a tender groin, and Eagles' coach Andy Reid is being careful to hold him out of some practices this season, in an attempt to keep the groin from flaring up during 2004. He has enjoyed a fine preseason to date. Owens did miss practice Monday with what's being described as a non serious abdominal strain.



• 34. Steve Smith, WR Carolina - Smith has a hamstring injury that may keep him out of the final preseason game (questionable) on Thursday. He did return to practice Monday 8/30 which is a great sign.



• 32. Santana Moss, WR, NYJ - Moss has a tweaked hamstring, which had him listed as questionable to play against Indianapolis. Moss did not play in the week 2 contest. He also did not catch a pass in the week 3 game vs. NYG, but hopes to see action in the preseason finale.



• 38. Laveranues Coles, WR Washington - Coles has a chronically painful, fractured big toe, which he played on all of last season. After being told in the offseason that surgery to correct the problem could end his career, Coles elected to play through the pain again in 2004. He has noticeably limped after some practice sessions, but Coles insists that the toe does not affect his game on Sundays.



• 46. Koren Robinson, WR Seattle - after overcoming a sore quadriceps, which hampered Robinson for much of training camp to date, Robinson managed to snag 3/66/0 in the loss to Denver in week 2 of preseason He grabbed 5/59/0 to lead the team in week 3 vs. San Diego.



• 49. Jimmy Smith, WR Jacksonville - Smith missed the game vs. Miami with back spasms, but has returned to practice since. He caught 3 passes for 50 yards vs. Green Bay in week 3 of preseason



• 57. Peerless Price, WR Atlanta - Price is nursing a sprained ankle which has cost him practices on 8/16 and 8/17, to date. He did catch one pass for 3 yards vs. Minnesota in the week 2 preseason game. He went 3/52/1 in the week 3 thrashing of Cincinnati.



• 73. Larry Fitzgerald, WR Arizona - Fitzgerald's sprained ankle put him into a walking cast and he has missed one week of practice. How many more practices Fitzgerald will miss is not immediately apparent. He did not play in the week 2 or week 3 preseason games, and is questionable for the preseason finale on Thursday.



• 93. Joey Galloway, WR TB - Galloway has a sore groin, and is considered day-to-day as a result of this injury. He missed practices all last week, and didn't play in the week 3 preseason game.



• 102. Eddie Kennison, WR KC - Kennison is participating in only ½ of the Chiefs' practices while he tries to heal a nagging wrist injury. He missed the MNF game vs. St. Louis on 8/23/04. In the game vs. Cleveland, Kennison caught 2/28/0.



• 119. Anquan Boldin, WR Arizona - Boldin is expected to miss 8-12 weeks after knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus.



• 120. Drew Bennett, WR Tennessee - Bennett missed the week 3 preseason game with sore ribs. He is considered day-to-day due to this injury.



• 137. Tyrone Calico, WR Tennessee - Calico sprained both his knees in the preseason game week 3 against Dallas. He enjoyed a fine outing with 2/41/0 prior to the injury According to the team's official web site, MRI results on Tyrone Calico's knees Monday (8/30) revealed an MCL and PCL sprain in his right knee and a mild MCL sprain and a lateral meniscus tear in his left knee. Calico's left knee will be scoped on Wednesday (9/1) and he will likely miss 2 to 3 weeks while recovering. That is music to the ears of head coach Jeff Fisher, who feared his deep-threat receiver may have suffered ACL damage Monday at Dallas. "It's not going to set him back, although he will miss some time," Fisher said. "He is not going to lose everything he has gained thus far. He will be okay. ..."



• 138. Peter Warrick, WR Cincinnati - Warrick has missed 3 preseason games with a knee injury, and the injury (which was inflicted last December) is being treated gingerly by the coaching staff. His absence from the lineup is giving T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Kelley Washington their chance to shine. On the positive side, Warrick practiced at full speed on Monday 8/30.



• 147. Marty Booker, WR Miami - Booker missed the first week of Chicago's training camp and, more recently, practice on 8/17, due to a sore hamstring. He then exited Chicago to Miami as part of the Adewale Ogunleye swap.



• 161. Travis Taylor, WR Baltimore - Taylor has a sore groin which has him listed as questionable to play Thursday. He also missed the game vs. Detroit due to this groin injury.



• 183. Robert Ferguson, WR Green Bay - Ferguson missed the first preseason game due to a knee injury, but his condition is improving and he is expected back soon. He caught 3/83/1 in the preseason game vs. Jacksonville in week 3.

Other players of note outside the top 200

• 205. Johnnie Morton, WR KC - Morton is out for the time being with an Achilles tendon injury. Marc Boerigter is out indefinitely thanks to a knee injury suffered vs. Cleveland, so Morton is needed back in the lineup. However, Achilles injuries have to be treated cautiously as they are unpredictable and hard to heal properly.



• Marcus Robinson, WR Minnesota - Robinson has a perennially sore hamstring that has limited his playing time and practices - as a result, he's now the #3 WR on the Vikings, behind Nate Burleson.



• Wayne Chrebet, WR NYJ - Chrebet has a sore groin that has limited him in preseason - he's listed as day-to-day at this point.



• Marc Boerigter, WR KC - Boerigter caught 4 balls for 50 yards vs. Cleveland, and then injured his knee. He is out indefinitely due to this injury.



• Kelly Washington, WR Cincinnati - Washington has a sore ankle which is keeping him limited - he's considered day-to-day at this point.



• Joe Jurevicius, WR TB - Jurevicius has missed training camp and preseason games with knee and back troubles, but is looking to be more active in practice this week.



• Bryant Johnson, WR Arizona, has missed weeks with a stress fracture in his foot. He is listed as questionable for the preseason finale on Thursday. On a positive note, Johnson returned to practice Monday 8/30.



• Rashaun Woods, WR San Francisco, has missed most of training camp and preseason games to date with a strained left hamstring. Woods returned to practice this week.



• Tim Dwight, WR San Diego - a sore hamstring is bothering Dwight, who is considered day-to-day at this point.



• David Boston, WR Miami, out for the season with a torn patellar tendon in his left knee.

Tight Ends

• 33. Tony Gonzalez, TE KC - Gonzalez has a painful stress fracture in a foot, and has been limited to one practice a day by the coaching staff in an attempt to help him manage the pain. Gonzalez played through the injury for most of 2003 and looks like he'll do the same this year. No reason to think he won't be just as effective.



• 53. Todd Heap, TE Baltimore - Heap has a shoulder injury that kept him out of the last preseason game, and he is questionable to play in the preseason finale. The injury is characterized as a "bruised shoulder" and isn't considered serious at this time.



• 65. Jeremy Shockey, TE NYG - Shockey, recovered from the surgery on his fractured foot and (briefly) practicing half-time, has now injured his right hamstring in practice on Sunday 8/22/04 and is currently missing practices once again. The injury is characterized as a strain and he is "day-to-day".



• 84. Alge Crumpler, TE Atlanta - Crumpler returned to practice 8/17 after bruising a knee on 8/5 and sitting out practices in order to heal the injury. He caught one pass for 11 yards vs. Minnesota on Friday, August 20th.



• 105. Antonio Gates, TE San Diego - Gates injured his right ankle in the game vs. Arizona on Saturday, and did not return to action. He did play despite a nagging thumb problem, though. The ankle has him listed as day-to-day heading into the preseason finale on Thursday. Gates returned to practice on Monday 8/30.



• 121. Dallas Clark, TE Indianapolis - Clark "rolled" his right ankle during last Thursdays' practice, and was held out of the game vs. the NYJ. The injury is minor, and he is expected to recover with no complications.



• 158. Desmond Clark, TE Chicago - Clark has a severe hamstring pull and was limited earlier this year. He returned to practice Sunday 8/29 and had his first full pads workout Monday 8/30.



• 167. Jim Kleinsasser, TE Minnesota - Kleinsasser returned to practice 8/17 after missing several days due to a groin strain.

Other players of note outside the top 200

• Billy Miller, TE Houston, has struggled with a bad back throughout training camp.



• Reggie Kelly, TE Cincinnati, has struggled with a bad thumb during training camp. He has missed the preseason games to date, and isn't expected back until mid-September at this point.



• Kyle Brady, TE Jacksonville, has a finger injury that may keep him sidelined until mid-September.

Place Kickers

• 148. David Akers, PK Philadelphia - Akers missed practice on 8/17 due to quadriceps spasms. He also missed the second preseason game vs. Baltimore - Tim Duncan handled the kicking duties that night but Duncan was released Monday.