A couple of big injuries happened, like every season, that will affect the fantasy landscape.
Brian Urlacher, LB; Chicago Bears: Out for season. This injury might not be of huge importance in traditional leagues, but it will still have an effect. The Packers were able to get the running game going while Urlacher was on the sidelines during Sunday night’s game. The Bears will have to find a new identity in Lance Briggs and Hunter Hillenmeyer. I’m not expecting the defense to crumble now, but losing one of the best linebackers can’t help a team. Urlacher’s talent for reading offenses will be sorely missed for the remainder of the season.
In Individual Defense Player leagues this could have a huge impact on a team. Luckily the LB position is very deep, but chance are Urlacher was one of your first IDP’s taken. Briggs is most likely gone as well, but Hillenmeyer should provide a decent replacement if your league is particularly deep. Hillenmeyer was the first LB off the bench, but without Urlacher he will undoubtedly play a larger role. And he has experience from the Super Bowl run a few years back.
Anthony Gonzalez, WR; Indianapolis Colts: 2-6 weeks. Gonzalez is probably Manning’s third target (after Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark) so this isn’t a huge loss. But many thought this would be a breakout year for Gonzalez with the departure of Marvin Harrison. He will return with half the season left, but he may not return to 100% immediately. This opens the door for Austin Collie in the Colts offense as that extra receiver for Manning. Collie will most likely be the hot pick-up this week if wasn’t already drafted in the final rounds of your draft.
Donovan McNabb, QB; Philadelphia Eagles: Questionable. It’s being reported as a ‘fractured rib’ and I can’t imagine that would be fun to play with. Even if he feels good enough to play next Sunday, I don’t see the Eagles choosing to do so. The Eagles offense will have to be firing on all cylinders when the Saints come to town because points will be scored in bunches. The good news is Kevin Kolb could be a sleeper play next week. With how bad the Saints defense is, Kolb might be able to steer the Eagles to victory with the talented playmakers he will have around him.
