Brian Westbrook

In 2005 Westbrook was sidelined for the lisfranc injury. This is a fracture or dislocation of the mid foot. I’m willing to bet that continued repetitive stress put on this location after proper healing has caused scar tissue formation and bone spurs to form over the front of the foot. Over the top of the foot the extensor hallicus longus passes and attaches to the big toe. Usually an injury to the big toe (turf toe) is a big problem for RBs and WRs that have to make sudden stops, bursts and cuts. While this injury usually occurs more on the actual joint of the big toe, this is the same tendon that is involved.

Now, it’s a guessing game to determine if or when he will be back, and how the foot will respond. IF the tendon is inflamed, but does not have any tears or frayed he should make a decent recovery if the swelling can be controlled. With this think of the tendon as a rubber band being stretched out and rubbed against something mildly sharp. It’s only a matter of time before it pops. When it does, it takes major reconstruction to repair it.

IF the sharp object (bone fragments) is removed the rubber band should be able to function properly. If there is a tear that has occurred the rubber band can not have the same tensile strength as it did before and can not hold as much pressure or used with the same amount of force as it once did or it can still pop.

If I’m drafting, I can not take Westbrook as my #1 RB. There are just too many questions about his injury riding on it. Also, his history and age doesn’t help improve his speed of healing. However, if Westbrook continues to drop into the later 2nd rounds and you have a running back sleeper you like later on in the draft, Westbrook can be the guy that helps win championships if healthy.  Just expect him to miss several games during the season.

Marques Colston

To say Marques Colston is recovering from the dreaded Microfracture surgery is a little misleading.  Microfracture surgery has different categories. Colston’s surgery was not the most widely known microfracture procedure that ended the careers of Marshall Faulk and Terrell Davis where the articular surface is so worn down that the two main bones of the knee are basically rubbing together without much cushion causing pain. Colston underwent a microfracture surgical procedure on his left knee in January to repair a small hole he had worn behind his kneecap. The knee cap does not take the pounding that the joint itself takes. Thus, this type of microfracture is easier to recover from.

Although he has had arthroscopic procedures done to clean out the knee, he has not missed any significant time because of his knee. Last year Colston was out for a majority of the season with a torn a ligament in his thumb during Week 1 last year. He was not held out because of his knee. Latest was Colston has been running routes and he says it’s the best he has felt heading into training camp.

The cat may already be out of the bag that he will be ready to go for training camp, but if you find your league mates willing to let him slide for another wide receiver he represents good value.  In the Saints high powered offense, Colston should put up top 5 numbers if healthy.  The news of his injury may allow you to take two running backs in the first two rounds and then rely on Colston as your 1st wide receiver in the early 3rd round.