Fantasy Football Rankings 2011: 5 Players Who Are Too Fragile to Draft

Football is a physical sport, we all know that.

That's why it's always surprising when people draft injury-prone players in a game where even the biggest, baddest athletes can get knocked around.

If you draft an injury-prone or fragile player, you are only asking for trouble. Some of these players are ranked accordingly in fantasy football leagues, and some of them are worth drafting way down the board, but others are ranked way too high given you probably won't have them by the time fantasy football playoffs come around.

And for the record, no one can ever complain for losing a matchup because they were without their injury-prone player. Such fantasy football whiners should be denounced instantly league-wide and given an unbecoming nickname.

Here are five players too fragile to draft that are high risks at their current ranking (all rankings are for Yahoo! Sports leagues).

5. Plaxico Burress, WR, New York Jets

Yes, I know Plaxico Burress didn't have injury concerns before his prison term, but that was then and this is now.

Burress is 34 years old and has already been hampered with multiple tweaks and strains this preseason and in training camp.

I love Burress when he's on the field (I still think he can produce given his talent level), but to think that he's going to be on the field for all 16 games this season is hoping for a miracle. Generally hoping for a miracle doesn't give you the league title.

Given his low ranking (No. 106), he's worth a shot as someone who can randomly step in and produce, but to rely on him is setting yourself up for disaster down the road.

4. Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans

Sorry to bring this up again, Arian, but that MRI you tweeted of your left hamstring not only was a good way to expose your inadequacies to opposing defenses, it also looked pretty bad.

Described as "anti-awesomeness" by Foster, ESPN sports medicine expert Dr. Michael Kaplan confirmed that it was indeed "anti-awesome," saying, via the NY Daily News, "A return to the field would not be expected before three to four weeks."

FYI, Foster is ranked the No. 2 player in all of fantasy football this season, behind only Adrian Peterson. Do you really want to spend the No. 2 pick on a player who will not only miss at least two weeks, but be at risk of reaggravating it again?

And yes, we care about you as a human being too, Arian.

3. Michael Vick, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

It's hard not to be thrilled about an athlete and quarterback of Michael Vick's caliber, but not only did he start to tail off at the end of last season, there are so many chances he could get hurt.

For one, scrambling out of the pocket alone could lead to a devastating hit by an incoming defender, no matter how elusive Vick is.

Two, his offensive line gave up 50 sacks last season, and it hasn't gotten much better. Rookie guard Danny Watkins could improve the line, but he'll need time to adjust and the Eagles still haven't addressed Vick's blindside yet.

Sure, if Vick survives 16 games, he'll probably be a great quarterback for your team. Then again, that's like lightning striking twice.

Be wary...for ye has been forewarned...do not be tempted by Vick's blinding speed...

2. Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts

Colts star quarterback Peyton Manning is coming off two neck surgeries in the offseason, and, like Vick, his offensive line hasn't gotten any better and is actually more inexperienced with offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo and guard Ben Ijalana.

On top of that, Manning is now 35 years old.

Yes, I know Manning has a consecutive games streak of his own going right now, but there are just too many warning signs this season for him to be ranked 39th overall. I would be shocked if he didn't miss a few games, and he very well could miss Week 1.

1. Sidney Rice, WR, Seattle Seahawks

First off, I don't know why anyone would draft Sidney Rice regardless of his injury history.

He's going to a team in the Seattle Seahawks that is immersed in a quarterback battle of Tarvaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst. Enough said right there, no matter how talented Rice is.

But on top of that, Rice had hip surgery last season, playing in only six games, and now a shoulder injury is bothering him leading up to the first week of the regular season.

Rice's 2009 numbers will entice a lot of fantasy football freaks, racking up 83 catches for over 1,300 yards and eight touchdowns.

But it's just not worth it, folks. Hip surgeries and shoulder injuries have a way of limiting receivers. Stay away, or you'll regret drafting him at No. 88 overall.