Watch Those Injury Reports

All good fantasy players watch injury reports like a hawk. But be sure you know that some injuries are more trouble than they appear.

Take turf toe. Doesn't sound that bad. But when you get turf toe is means you have jammed your toe badly, and makes it impossible to push off. Turf toe ruins a running back's chances to be successful. Even if he plays with turf toe, he won't be effective.

The high ankle sprain is another one. Doesn't sound bad, but it is. I had one in college and it took me almost two months to recover! Again, you have to be able to push off to be effective. With a high ankle sprain, you can't.

I tell you, sometimes it's better to have a broken leg from the player's point of view. At least then, you know you can't play, and you are less likely to push things too hard as you recover.

On the other hand, quarterbacks can play even with serious dings like bad shoulders and bruised ribs. Game management is so important to QBs, they can get by if they're not in the best shape. But give a QB a thumb injury, and he's going to be terrible.

So when you look at injury reports, don't look at just how "serious" they are. Look to see how they will directly affect a player's performance.