Josh Freeman Injury Update: Should Injury, Dink & Dunk Passing Attack Scare You?

Projected to have a breakout year in 2011, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman was drafted to a number of fantasy rosters before the season even began. Leading Tampa Bay to a 10-win season last year after experiencing an awful 3-13 record during his 2009 rookie campaign, the third-year quarterback has shown promise and improvement while guiding his young team.

With that said, in the Week 1 season opener against the Lions, Detroit defeated Tampa Bay 27-20, while the Buccaneers offense was less than impressive. Aside from the running backs rushing for just a combined 30 yards, Freeman threw for 259 yards, totaling just one touchdown and matching it with one interception.

Not only that, but Freeman was forced to check down to running back Earnest Graham a total of nine times during the game, causing his longest completion of the game to be just 22 yards.

In the third quarter, Freeman left the field limping and was taken to the locker room to be treated for leg cramps. Missing four plays, he returned to play with the team for the final quarter. Having pulled off seven game-winners in his career, Freeman was unable to put his fourth-quarter heroics to use this time around, and the Buccaneers were defeated by the Lions.

The question to be answered is with Tampa Bay's offense being so unproductive and Freeman being forced to check down so many times, is he really worth the fantasy value, or should owners with Freeman start shopping for a new quarterback?

Right now a good backup might be a good idea, but answering this question this early in the year is hard to do. In the event that Tampa doesn’t pick it up by Week 2 or Week 3, Freeman is probably not worth keeping around on your fantasy roster.