Fantasy Football 2013: Need-to-Know Injury Red Flags for Upcoming Season

Injuries are every fantasy owner's nightmare, and with the assortment of tweaks, pulls and tears we've witnessed this summer, it's absolutely critical to know all the red flags of the top-tier fantasy players heading into the 2013 season. 

The stock, average draft position and general value of fantasy centerpieces are continually fluctuating, with dynamos like Robert Griffin III and Rob Gronkowski coming off serious injuries. 

Here are the need-to-know injury red flags you must consider before your draft this year. 

Arian Foster, RB

Injury Red Flag: Groin

Fantasy Stock: Foster remains an elite fantasy running back. Although his general efficiency has decreased over the past two seasons, the Houston Texans offensive focal point led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in 2010 and 2012.

He probably won't log 391 touches like he did a season ago, but if healthy, Foster will receive the lion's share of the carries, especially in the red zone. 

The former undrafted free agent has dealt with some nagging injuries in the past; however, it's important to keep in mind that he's missed only three games over the past three years. 

If injuries continue to bug him, backup Ben Tate could see an increased role.

Don't overthink it with Foster. He isn't the back he once was and will be spelled by Tate more often this year than last. Then again, No. 23 will score plenty of touchdowns in 2013. 

Maurice Jones-Drew, RB

Injury Red Flag: Foot

Fantasy Stock: It seems like ages ago, but Maurice Jones-Drew led the NFL in rushing in 2011. He was averaging a hefty 4.8 yards per carry in 2012 before suffering a foot injury that would end his season and lead to a late December surgery. 

There aren't any established running backs behind MJD; however, Denard Robinson could ultimately steal some touches away. 

A first-round staple in many fantasy drafts over the past three-to-five years, Jones-Drew has the best value a few rounds later as a RB No. 2 with upside in 2013. 

While he's only scored 14 rushing touchdowns in 36 games since 2010, he'll shoulder the majority of the load in Jacksonville. 

Jamaal Charles, RB

Injury Red Flag: Foot

Fantasy Stock: If you want an established, new-age running back who can run between the tackles but possesses home-run hitting pop, Jamaal Charles is your guy. 

The 26-year-old burner has never averaged less than 5.3 yards per carry in a given season since turning pro, and after tearing his ACL in 2011, he racked up 1,509 yards on the ground in 2012. 

His foot injury is concerning, but it appears the Kansas City Chiefs dodged a bullet. 

Don't be worried about new head coach Andy Reid's love for the passing game. LeSean McCoy never averaged fewer than 19 touches per game in any of the last three seasons.

If Adrian Peterson is gone, Charles can't be selected early enough.

A.J. Green, Wide Receiver

Injury Red Flag: Knee

Fantasy Stock: A.J. Green is a prolific fantasy wide receiver in the prestigious group with Calvin Johnson, Brandon Marshall, Dez Bryant and Julio Jones.

Hyperextended knees are no joke, but the former first-round pick has shown the tendency to land awkwardly on occasion and avoid major injury. 

Green should still be one of the first wideouts taken in your fantasy draft, even though the Cincinnati Bengals have more pass-catching options on the roster in 2013. 

Marques Colston, WR

Injury Red Flag: Knee

Fantasy Stock: Marques Colston is the NFL's most underrated receiver. He's averaged 76 receptions, 1,056 yards and more than eight touchdowns per season in his seven-year NFL career but has never made a Pro Bowl. Imagine that. 

Anyway, the wily 30-year-old will be a go-to option for Drew Brees in 2013, although Jimmy Graham is the more explosive primary target. 

If you're in a PPR league, Colston represents fantastic value, especially if you can get him a little later than the "elite" wideouts. 

Rob Gronkowski, TE

Injury Red Flag: Back

Fantasy Stock: No skill-position fantasy stud carries more injury concern into the 2013 season than Rob Gronkowski. 

When healthy, he's a touchdown-scoring factory, and with an assortment of new pass-catching options in New England this season, the towering tight end could be primed for the most targets per game in his young NFL career. 

While Gronkowski could be ready for the season opener in Buffalo against the Bills, he's more likely to return later. At this stage, after multiple surgeries on his arm and a procedure on his back, the Patriots must proceed with extreme caution in regard to when their franchise playmaker returns to game action. 

Fantasy wise, Gronk's not as valuable as he once was, but he'll make some owner happy if he's drafted in the early to middle rounds.

Robert Griffin III, QB

Injury Red Flag: Knee

Fantasy Stock: The Washington Redskins are being extremely cautious with their franchise cornerstone, as they should. 

Robert Griffin III will likely be ready for Week 1. Although he won't run the football as often as he did as a rookie, his athleticism is a fantastic bonus in fantasy yet it represents the risk in drafting him. 

His fantasy value lies anywhere from the sixth round to the ninth round.

Jordy Nelson, WR

Injury Red Flag: Knee

Fantasy Stock: Jordy Nelson had minor knee surgery on August 5 and is expected to miss four-to-six weeks, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. It doesn't appear to be a major injury for Nelson—just one worth monitoring early in the season. 

With Greg Jennings in Minnesota, Nelson has tremendous upside in Green Bay's offense. He's two years removed from catching 15 touchdowns, and while he won't reach that benchmark again, reaching double-digit scores isn't a crazy prediction. 

Nelson averaged a shade over six targets per game in 2012, and that number could increase this season, but he must stay healthy. 

Using a mid-round flier on him wouldn't be a bad idea. 

Steve Johnson, WR

Injury Red Flag: Hamstring

Fantasy Stock: Steve Johnson has labored through preseason injuries in the past and has finished the last three years with more than 1,000 yards receiving.

Also, it's important to remember he produced those milestone campaigns with Ryan Fitzpatrick the quarterback throwing him the football.

Johnson will likely get rest during the week on occasion but will be ready on Sundays. He hasn't missed a game in two years despite intermittently nagging groin pain. 

The eccentric, unorthodox route-running wideout is one of the better WR No. 3's headed into the season, and if EJ Manuel develops quickly, Johnson could put up WR No. 2 statistics. 

Hakeem Nicks, WR

Injury Red Flag: Groin, Knee

Fantasy Stock: Hakeem Nicks is one of the more underrated wideouts in the game. Unfortunately, frustrating injuries hindered his production in 2012. 

He had knee surgery in the offseason and now is dealing with a groin tweak, but the former North Carolina Tar Heel should be ready to go, at the very latest, when the games actually count. 

Nicks has shown he can be a decent WR No. 1 in the past. However, grabbing him during the wave of WR No. 2's is probably smarter than using an early pick on him.