11 NFL Players Whose Fantasy Value Has Already Been Derailed by Injury

Every fantasy football manager has to deal with player injuries. They're unavoidable. 

As were seeing with Peyton Manning, even those thought to be immortal can suffer from injuries. While Colts fans are crossing their fingers, hoping he will be ready for Week 1, his fantasy stock is taking a hit.

However, he is far from the only one in that boat.

Here are 11 players who have seen their fantasy value be derailed by injury.  

Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning and injury risk are two phrases that rarely go together. In his illustrious 13 year career, No.18 has yet to miss a game. 

However, that is a real possibility this season. Manning was just activated last week from the PUP list and is still recovering from offseason neck surgery. The Colts are clearly worried, as they signed Kerry Collins for insurance incase Manning isn't ready. 

Fantasy owners are worried, as well. Usually, Manning is one of the first five quarterbacks taken, but I have seen him go behind the likes of Tony Romo, Matt Schaub and Ben Roethlsiberger in drafts. 

Arian Foster

Arian Foster's hamstring has been the most talked about body part in fantasy circles. The panic started after he pulled his hamstring on the first day of training camp.

The panic calmed after Foster ran for two touchdowns in the Houston Texans' second preseason game. It rose again after he reaggravated his injury in the third preseason game.

It reached a crescendo yesterday as Foster tweeted a picture of his MRI and an ESPN medical expert claimed he had a hamstring tear and wouldn't be ready for Week 1.

A preseason consensus top three pick, Foster can be had in the latter part of round one and even round two in some drafts now.  

Ryan Mathews

Ryan Mathews was the slam dunk pick for offensive rookie of the year last season. He was a trendy fantasy pick and went in first five rounds of nearly all drafts. 

Injuries and inconstancy went on to define Matthews rookie season, much to the chagrin of fantasy owners. The emergence of Mike Tolbert didn't help either.

Heading into his sophomore campaign, Matthews hasn't gotten off to a great start, now battling a toe injury. He has played in all preseason games, but the durability concerns definitely still remain.

Jeremy Maclin

One of the mysteries of the NFL Preseason has been what's wrong with Jeremy Maclin. The talented receiver was absent from practice until last weekend due to an undisclosed illness. 

Although it hasn't been disclosed what was wrong with Malcin, many suspect that it was mono-like virus that caused Maclin to lose a significant amount of weight. The signing of Steve Smith also raised some eyebrows about the health of Maclin.

As of now it appears Maclin will be ready to go for the start of the season, but fantasy owners are concerned he will get off to a slow start and his draft position reflects that. 

Jahvid Best

When Mikel Leshoure went down for the season in the opening days of training camp, the arrow was pointing way up for Jahvid Best. 

That arrow has flattened out for now after Best suffered a concussion during a preseason game. Best battled injuries all year long during his rookie season and although the concussion was considered minor, Best is close to acquiring the injury-prone label.  

Michael Crabtree

Michael Crabtree has shown he has the potential to be a great receiver, but hasn't quite put it all together in his first two seasons in the NFL.

Entering his third year, Crabtree was a prime candidate for a breakout season. However, that breakout season may have to wait a year.

Crabtree missed all of training camp (his third consecutive) due to surgery on his foot. Crabtree previously had a screw inserted in that foot and has yet to practice fully. 

With the addition of Braylon Edwards, don't expect the 49ers to rush Crabtree back or for him to have much of an early season impact. 

Plaxico Burress

Plaxico Burress brought back memories of his glory days with his three catch, 66 yard performance against the Cincinnati Bengals in the preseason. Don't let that performance trick you though. 

Buress struggled to stay on the field early in camp with an ankle injury and is now dealing with some soreness. Buress was never a picture of perfect health earlier in his career, so this is nothing new.

Buress spent the last two years in a prison cell. His body is still adjusting to being on the playing field again so expect a few of these little injuries as the season progresses. 

Ryan Torain

Heading into training camp, Ryan Torain was penciled in as the team's lead back after running for 742 yards on 164 carries (4.5 YPC) a year ago. 

Torain injured his hand on one of the first days of camp and didn't return to practice until last Sunday. While he was injured Tim Hightower and Roy Helu have combined for 343 yards on 70 carries (4.9 YPC). 

Torain likely finds himself third on the depth chart now. A big fall from just a few weeks ago.  

Emmanuel Sanders

On the early fantasy lists in late July, Emmanuel Sanders was listed as a "sleeper" on nearly all of them, with some expecting him to make a similar leap that Mike Wallace made a season ago. 

However, Sanders had to have minor surgery on his left foot, the third procedure he had on the foot since the Super Bowl. Sanders returned to practice this week, but a lot has happened in the time since he was sidelined. 

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Jerricho Cotchery and Sanders' absence allowed Anotnio Brown to shine. Sanders has gone from a solid late round pick to draftable only in deeper leagues. 

Chris Cooley

Chris Cooley has been experiencing problems with his knee throughout training camp after undergoing surgery in January. He even visited Dr. James Andrews to get his opinion. 

Cooley is insisting that he'll play all 16 games, but will have to play through pain in his knee. Take that with a grain of salt though. He remains a shaky bet to make it through the entire season. 

With the amount of depth at tight end this season, it would be wise to pass on Cooley for now. You can find players just as good without the risk. 

Shane Vereen

Shane Vereen entered training camp as an intriguing name to watch for fantasy football. The New England Patriots have a dynamic offense that any running back can be productive in and they didn't draft Verneen in the second round to sit on the bench.

However, a hamstring injury has sidelined Vereen for much of camp. Also, fellow rookie Stevan Ridley has flourished in the preseason knocking Vereen down to fourth on the depth chart. There has even been speculation that he could be placed on injured reserve.  

Until Vereen shows something, he is undraftable.