Fantasy Football 2011: 10 Players Whose Injury Concerns Should Scare You

Fantasy football is the most exciting part of the NFL season for many fans, and there's nothing worse than having one of your best fantasy players struggle with injuries.

With few offseason practices and workouts this summer due to the lockout situation, there is even more of a risk that players will get hurt this season than in years past.

Ofcourse, there are some players, like Darren McFadden, who always seem to be nicked up, but when they are on the field they produce great stats.

There are also top fantasy players, like Green Bay packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who face concussion issues, and if they get another one, their career could be in jeopardy.

Let's look at 10 players whose injury concerns should make you think twice before drafting them this year.

Nicholas Goss is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report, follow him on Twitter for NFL news and analysis. Follow @NicholasGoss35

Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders

Darren McFadden owners know what he can be like if healthy, but the problem for McFadden is it's hard for him to put together multiple games of injury free football.

Last week, injury concerns over McFadden became more severe after he fractured a bone in practice and is expected to miss a few weeks, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

McFadden is a solid running back for fantasy owners because of his running and pass catching abilities. He also has great speed.

With tight end Zach Miller going to Seattle via free agency, the Raiders may run the ball even more this season, which is good and bad news for McFadden owners.

Despite being plagued with injuries in 2010, McFadden carried the ball 223 times for 1,157 yards and seven touchdowns.

Austin Collie, Indianapolis Colts

If you drafted and started Austin Collie through the first month of last season, you looked like a genius, as he was one of the most productive fantasy players in all of football.

Collie did not slow down much as the season progressed, but multiple concussions ruined his ability to be a top receiver each week.

According to MSNBC, the Colts have listed Collie on the first team offense in training camp, and have been using him as a slot receiver.

It appears Collie is ready to fully play come Week 1, but his severe concussion history should make you look for a safer option.

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts

Peyton Manning has not been very noticable at Colts training camp, according to The Sporting News, and it's clear he's being very careful in his rehab from neck surgery he underwent in May.

In the same Sporting News article, Colts head coach Jim Cadlwell said the following about Manning:

“The thing about it is, it’s not like Peyton is gone forever,” Caldwell said. “That’s not the case. He will be back in due time.”

Manning will eventually return, but not being able to work hard this offseason and train as he normally would due to rehab and the NFL lockout should concern fantasy owners.

Manning will likely put up solid numbers again if healthy for the entire 2011 season, but on a team that relies so much on him to win games, it will be tough for him to stay fully healthy.

Drafting Philip Rivers or Drew Brees is a much safer option.

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers should be a top-five pick in your league, but his concussion struggles last season should be taken into consideration when deciding to draft him or not.

Rodgers missed time last season due to multiple concussions, and another could force him to miss even more time this season.

Drafting Rodgers, who commands one of the NFL's best offenses, is a choice that has massive rewards but a good amount of risk as well.

Out of all the players on this list, Rodgers probably has the least injury concern, but then again it would be foolish to overlook the risk.

Arian Foster, Houston Texans

Arian Foster got injured on the first day of camp this month, and this could be a sign of things to come for the NFL's breakout fantasy player last season.

Foster was the reason for many fantasy football titles last year, but after going from an unknown with hardly any reps, to carrying the ball an astounding 327 times last season, injuries could be inevitable.

Remember when Larry Johnson of the Chiefs a few years back had an amazing season carrying the ball over 400 times, then had a bad year filled with injuries the next season?

Foster could be another story like that in 2011.

Foster also has a history of leg injuries. While Foster ranks high on your draft board for running backs, he should not be taken in the first round. 

Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers

Ryan Mathews was taken high in many drafts last season since he was expected to excel in the already solid San Diego Chargers offense led by top fantasy quarterback Philip Rivers.

However, Mathews' rookie season was derailed by injury, and he is currently suffering a leg injury that will likely keep him out of the preseason opener against Seattle.

Mathews, who was the 12th overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft, failed a conditioning test at training camp this month and does not appear ready for meaningful playing time.

Mathews shouldn't be drafted in the first eight rounds of your draft because his injury risk is just way too high.

Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles is like pro football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk in that he can run the ball very well but is also a real threat in the passing game.

Charles had over 1,900 total yards last season and eight touchdowns last season, which is impressive considering he split some carries with veteran Thomas Jones.

But Charles is likely to take more carries away from Jones this season, and if the Chiefs have their way, he could eclipse the 300-carry mark.

Charles also does not run between the tackles as often as most backs, but he will likely do more of that this season, which could add risk of injury because he's not the biggest of backs.

There isn't too much concern with Charles, other than the fact his workload could be significantly increased this season.

Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles

Michael Vick is an obvious choice for this list due to his running style and use of his mobility as a quarterback.

Vick puts himself in danger more than any quarterback in the league, and by the end of last season, it was clear that injuries and the abuse of many hits had taken its toll on him.

Because of this physical pounding, Vick was unable to carry the Eagles deep into the playoffs.

Without a solid backup since Kevin Kolb was traded to Arizona this summer, the Eagles don't have a lot of options behind Vick should he need more rest than normal or gets hurt.

Vick is a good choice in fantasy leagues where two quarterbacks start, but he can't be trusted to last a full season in one-quarterback leagues.

Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

Matthew Stafford's 2010 season was riddled with injury, but with an improved offensive line, he could be productive if healthy this year.

After a poor rookie season when he threw 13 touchdown passes and 20 interceptions, Stafford had six touchdowns and only one interception in three games last season.

With an improved team and plenty of weapons around him, such as wide receiver Calvin Johnson, Stafford could be a breakout player in 2011.

The jury is still out on Stafford, but with little experience and injury concerns, he shouldn't be a quarterback you set you eyes on within the first five rounds of your draft.

Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams

Steven Jackson when healthy is a threat to reach 2,000 total yards, but he has trouble putting together full seasons of good health.

Jackson's physical style of play always makes injuries a possibility, and with the Rams finding a good young quarterback in Sam Bradford, Jackson's carries may go down to limit the wear on his body.

If healthy, Jackson can be one of the most productive backs in the NFL, but with his history of injuries he shouldn't be a first-round pick, and taking him in the second still is a risk.