Out – These players won’t play in Week 1.
Deion Branch, Seattle Seahawks
Kevin Curtis, Philadelphia Eagles
Bobby Engram, Seattle Seahawks
Jerry Porter, Jacksonville Jaguars
Ryan Torain, Denver Broncos

Doubt – These players likely won’t play in Week 1.
Reggie Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
Benjamin Watson, New England Patriots

Questionable – These players are 50/50 to play in Week 1.
Joey Galloway, Tampa Bay Bucanners
Jamal Lewis, Cleveland Browns
Javon Walker, Oakland Raiders

Probable – These players will likely play in Week 1.
Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers
DJ Hackett – Carolina, Panthers
Willis McGahee, Baltimore Ravens

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Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Tom Brady has been suffering from an unspecified leg injury for much of training camp and preseason. While the Patriots are being secretive of his health status, expect him to be ready to go when the games begin to count.

Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
Perhaps the most mysterious injury of them all, Antonio Gates still hasn’t played after undergoing offseason toe surgery. While many expect him to play in Week 1, there is growing speculation that the Chargers may sit him until he’s 100%.

Jerry Porter, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jerry Porter has a hamstring injury that is being slow to heal. Although he should be able to come back pretty soon, it is looking doubtful that he’ll be ready to roll in Week 1.

Reggie Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are reportedly concerned about Reggie Brown’s status for their opening week game. Brown is dealing with a hamstring injury that doesn’t appear to be healing quickly enough.

Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans Saints
Although Jeremy Shockey didn’t play at all in preseason, he’s very likely to play in Week 1. Shockey is still recovering from the leg injury he suffered last year with the New York Giants.

Bernard Berrian, Minnesota Vikings
Dealing with a condition that has been described as something close to turf toe, Bernard Berrian has missed a few preseason games. The good news is it appears he’ll be ready for opening weekend.

TJ Houshmandzadeh, Cincinnati Bengals
Although TJ Houshmandzadeh has a sore hamstring that has hampered him lately, expect him to be close to 100% by NFL opening weekend.

DJ Hackett, Carolina Panthers
Suffering from a toe injury, DJ Hackett has been limited in preseason action. That said, sources close to the team expect Hackett to play in Week 1.

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The good news is that Delhomme is already practicing and the team expects him to be able to go once training camp starts. Delhomme will get a few extra days of rest along the way but the Panthers are confident he’ll make a full recovery.

If Delhomme can return to 100%, he could be a sleeper fantasy football quarterback. He got off to a very good start last year before hurting his elbow. His wide receiving corps is strong and his running back duo is explosive.

At wide receiver, the Panthers bring back Steve Smith to go along with the additions of DJ Hackett and Muhsin Muhammad. Smith is a superstar and Hackett and Muhammad both have the skillset to succeed near the endzone. At running back, DeAngelo Williams will be joined by rookie running back Jonathan Stewart.

Matt Moore is currently the backup quarterback and would start if Delhomme re-injures his elbow. Moore is a much, much less desirable fantasy quarterback.

Photo: Newscom

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In 2007, Hackett had 32 catches, 384 yards and three touchdowns in only six games. Extended over a season, that extrapolates to 86 catches, 1035 yards and eight touchdowns. If the Panthers get anything close to that level of production, they will be ecstatic.

Hackett fits the mold of players who have done well next to Smith. He’s big, he’s strong and he’s a threat in the red zone. Since Smith gets so much attention, Hackett should find himself open a lot more than he’s used to. If he can take advantage of that, he’s definitely a 2008 fantasy football sleeper.

Right now, DJ Hackett projects out to about 65 catches, 900 yards and six touchdowns. Those numbers would make him a solid fantasy football option.

More Football News

• Squib Kick
• Every Morning Quarterback
• BCS Frenzy

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QB JP Losman, Buffalo Bills – Losman is up against the Cincinnati Bengals this week in what looks to be a great matchup. While Losman isn’t a very good quarterback usually, he could put in extra effort to try to win back his job from Trent Edwards. Two touchdowns and 250 yards passing isn’t too unrealistic given this matchup.

RB Justin Fargas, Oakland Raiders – With LaMont Jordan struggling and Dominic Rhodes seemingly out of the picture, Fargas could be the running back who is featured most on Sunday against the Texans. Fargas is averaging 5.7 yards per rush attempt and could conceivably become the full-time back sometime soon.

WR DJ Hackett, Seattle Seahawks – Remember Hackett? He returns this week after recovering from a high ankle sprain. Against the Browns, expect Hackett to see a number of balls go his way. He’s expected to start and with the offense struggling as it has over the last couple weeks, he could become a big part of the offense quickly.

TE Owen Daniels, Houston Texans – Earlier in the week, it appeared that Daniels could miss a significant amount of time with what was reported to be a high ankle sprain. However, Daniels is back at practice and is probable to start the game on Sunday against the Raiders. If he starts, he’s a good option for a fantasy team in need of a tight end.

Photo credit: NFL.com

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