Fantasy Football 2012: Players with Injury Concerns You Shouldn't Fear Drafting

Inevitably in your research for the fantasy football season, you come across the most maddening of all players—those players either with a history of injuries or the ones returning from a serious ailment the year before.

Will they be fully recovered and back in the form that made them intriguing as fantasy options in the first place? Will they get hurt again? And where should you draft them if you're willing to take the risk?

Chances are your league-mates are just as concerned as you are, meaning some nice values could slip through the cracks for your team. Let's take a look at a few players with injury concerns who you should gladly draft.

Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Are you afraid to select Charles after he tore his ACL last season? Because if you are, I understand. ACL's are scary.

But keep in mind that Charles missed just one game in his first three seasons in the NFL, and that he'll be sharing carries with Peyton Hillis, so he won't exactly be a workhorse.

I know, I know, you probably think that limits his fantasy value too. But Charles has never averaged less than 5.3 yards per carry in his career, and twice he has rushed for more than 1,000 yards and scored eight total touchdowns in a season despite conceding touches to Thomas Jones in 2010 and Larry Johnson in 2009.

In ESPN snake drafts, Charles has an ADP of 24.2, meaning you can land him in the third round. For a player who was a first-round value just a year ago, that's a steal. Don't be afraid to roll the dice on Charles.

Michael Vick, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

I know, I know, it seems like every time you turn your head, Vick is banged up. He was severely over-drafted in 2011 to begin with, and he ruined more than a few fantasy-football teams. 

Trust me, I should know.

But when Vick was totally healthy last year, he was effective. Yes, he missed three games and was banged up for large portions. But he still finished with 20 or more fantasy points in seven weeks, and he still threw for more than 3,000 yards and nearly rushed for 600 more despite making just 13 starts and battling numerous bumps and bruises.

Don't forget that the Eagles have one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL, meaning if Vick stays on the field, he'll put up big fantasy numbers. No, you won't get 10 rushing touchdowns like he offered in 2010, but you will get a great combination of passing production and rushing yards. 

His ADP in ESPN fantasy drafts is 33.7, and he burned enough owners last year that you could land a huge stud in the fourth or fifth round. He's risky, but he's the sort of value that could win you your league if you're willing to stock your lineup with running back and wide receivers early and take a risk with him late.

Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings

Despite tearing his ACL on Christmas Eve, Peterson still plans to be ready for this season's opener. Seriously.

Yes, the ACL injury is scary. And there's no guarantee he'll actually play in the opener. But consider this: Peterson would be a top-three pick if he was healthy. As of now, his ADP in ESPN snake drafts is 20.9, meaning you might be able to add him to your team for a second- or third-round pick.

That's league-winning value right there, folks. I don't even need to bother with numbers—if he's healthy, he's one of the best backs in football, hands down.

He's a beast, and he's largely stayed healthy during his career. If he's available in the second or, Lord have mercy, third round, you need to draft him. 

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