NFL Injury Report: 3 Stars Who Will Suffer with Wounds in Week 1

The 2011 season is barely underway and injuries have already emerged as the biggest story in the NFL. From Peyton Manning's neck to Osi Umenyiora's knee, key ailments will keep would-be playoff teams far from the ranks of the contenders, especially in the early going.

Then, there are those star players who are simply hurt, still able to participate for their teams but perhaps not at the high level that most would typically expect. The impact of their issues may be more insidious but will be no less important to the outcomes of their teams' games on opening weekend.

Arian Foster, Houston Texans (hamstring)

Manning's Colts will face Arian Foster's Texans on Sunday, though both Pro Bowlers could very well end up sitting this one out.

Okay, so Manning's recovery from a third neck surgery is considerably more serious than Foster's tight hamstring, for which he is listed as day-to-day, though it figures to play a part in whether or not Houston opens with a win over Indy for the second consecutive season.

Gary Kubiak's club will certainly miss Foster, the reigning NFL rushing champ, though their offense is already powerful enough, with the potent combo of Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson, and the Colts defense weak enough for the Texans to prevail even with their best back hampered by a bum hammy.

Matt Cassel, Kansas City Chiefs (ribs)

The Chiefs already had plenty of reasons to worry about a drop-off from last season's AFC West championship before Matt Cassel's ribs went bust.

Of course, Cassel claims the injury won't be an issue on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, and frankly, it shouldn't be—the Bills are that bad. 

But really, Cassel should be fine. If he's not, KC will have to put its trust in Tyler Palko who has thrown for (wait for it...) 35 yards in his NFL career. To be fair, this will only be Palko's second NFL season, though even he should be able to beat the Bills.

Sorry I'm not sorry, Buffalo.

Justin Tuck, New York Giants (neck)

Manning's neck seems to be the only one getting any publicity these days, and rightfully so; his neck pain, like Cassel's ribs, has thrown even the trusty oddsmakers in Las Vegas out of whack.

Let's not forget about another troublesome neck, though—that of Justin Tuck.

The New York Giants defensive captain and Pro Bowl end had been expected to play in the team's season opener against the Washington Redskins, but now appears more likely to sit out most, if not all of the game to recover.

The G-Men are already squeezed for healthy bodies on defense, especially along the line, where they've already lost Osi Umenyiora for the first game or two and won't see Marvin Austin, their second-round pick from the 2011 NFL draft, until next year.

Now, the Redskins aren't exactly an offensive juggernaut with "Sexy Rexy" under center, but they should be able to move the ball effectively against a Big Blue unit that's got enough guys down to fill an infirmary these days. 

Follow @J0shMart1n