Torry Holt has been one of the most productive and consistent wide receivers in the NFL and fantasy football over the past seven seasons. But reports about his problematic knee have some owners concerned.
Holt, who had an arthroscopic procedure to repair torn cartilage in his right knee in the offseason, will not be at full strength when the Rams face the Carolina Panthers in Week 1 at the Edward Jones Dome. In fact, chances are pretty good that he could be at less than 100 percent for the entire regular season.
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"It's just one of those deals where I'm not recovering as quick as I used to," Holt told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "I have to get used to that and stay patient. … I don't know if I'll ever heal all the way, but I think it will heal enough where it will allow me to go out and play."
A six-time Pro Bowler, Holt did participate in the team's first two preseason contests and has been on the field for all of training camp. However, he was held out of last Friday night's battle in Oakland. While the move was considered a precaution, it has still raised some major questions about his overall draft value.
"It feels good some days, and some days it doesn't feel as good," Holt said. "I'm getting somewhat used to that and getting to the point where I can manage it pretty well."
Holt, who believes his knee is currently at "about 70-80 percent," decided to have surgery when the discomfort increased last season. He was still able to record an impressive 93 receptions for 1,188 yards and 10 touchdowns, but it was clear that the ailment was an issue at times.
The All-Pro wideout failed to record at least 1,300 yards for the first time since 2000. He also didn't have a 100-yard performance in the entire month of November. After a 115-yard, one-touchdown explosion on Dec. 3 vs. the Arizona Cardinals, Holt was held to under 80 yards in three of his final four starts.
On a positive note, head coach Scott Linehan told the Post-Dispatch that he has seen flashes of the old Holt in recent practices.
"The last two days I've seen more like the Torry Holt we've all grown accustomed to," Linehan said. "It's becoming more and more encouraging every day."
The fact that Holt has an incredible track record and has been able to find statistical success in the past at less than 100 percent -- albeit on a less consistent basis -- makes it easier for owners to continue to select him as a No. 1 fantasy receiver. However, it should also be noted that wideouts such as Steve Smith, Chad Johnson, Marvin Harrison and Terrell Owens are better options and should be taken ahead of him.
PORTIS TO PRACTICE TUESDAY
One of the biggest question marks in fantasy football continues to be Clinton Portis. The stud back out of the "U" has missed the entire preseason due to knee tendonitis, and he's recovering from surgeries on his shoulder and hand as well. But in the first bit of good news on him, Portis expects to practice on Tuesday.
"He is going to take a lot more work this week," head coach Joe Gibbs told the Redskins official Web site. "The medical team feels like that is the right thing to do at this point. We are going to up his workload."
Portis, who is considered a game-time decision for Washington's preseason finale in Jacksonville, will participate in only one full practice this week. He has kept up his conditioning with cardiovascular exercise and riding stationary bikes, but even Gibbs questions whether or not Portis is in true football shape.
"It depends on his conditioning and when we get him practicing," Gibbs said. "It will depend on what he looks like. We have been hard-headed on Clinton using the bikes for his cardio. It is different than football, when you are carrying the pads. We will have a better feel for it once we get him on the field."
The Redskins have been extra cautious with Portis, so it wouldn't be a shock if he was held out against the Jaguars or limited to a series or two at most. As a result, it will be difficult to gauge when he'll be in the kind of shape required to take the sort of pounding and punishment a runner endures at the NFL level.
Regardless of his past successes - he rushed for 1,300-plus yards in four consecutive seasons before 2006 - Portis seems destined to be limited in the first couple of weeks and share at least some of the workload with Ladell Betts, who was an absolute hero for countless fantasy football owners late last season.
Betts rushed for 1,154 yards (nine starts) and scored a total of five touchdowns for Gibbs, who has a ton of confidence in him as a prominent component in the offensive attack. It makes sense for the Skins not to overburden Portis in the early portion of the season either, so he could have a slow or inconsistent start.
Still, it's not out of the question for Portis, 25, to rush for 1,000-plus yards with seven-plus touchdowns even if he does miss a game or two or shares carries with Betts. Numbers like those would be fine from a No. 2 fantasy runner -- which is exactly what Portis should be labeled in the final week of fantasy drafts.
NEWS & NOTES
-- Travis Henry, who sprained his knee in a preseason loss to the Dallas Cowboys, took part in limited work with the Broncos scout team on Monday. He also wore a brace as a precaution, but the veteran back is expected to be fine for the regular-season opener in Buffalo and remains a borderline No. 1 or 2 fantasy runner. Mike Bell also returned to action after missing some time due to an injured knee. Barring setbacks, Bell should remain second on the depth chart and the best handcuff option for owners who land Henry.
-- Reports out of the Boston area indicate that Randy Moss is close to returning to practice. He has been dealing with an injured hamstring and has been held out of all of the Patriots' preseason games. It appears that head coach Bill Belichick is playing it safe with the veteran wideout in an effort to have him at 100 percent when his team opens the regular season in the Meadowlands against the Jets. Moss is still a viable No. 2 fantasy wideout, but owners shouldn't expect him to post monster and consistent numbers.
-- The New York Daily News reports that Thomas Jones, who is recovering from a calf ailment, has been moving around "much better" and remains on track to return in time for the Jets' Week 1 battle against the Patriots. Jones, who has been limited since mid-August, has been much more involved in practice and has seen his workload increase as a result. Barring setbacks, the veteran should be considered a viable No. 2 fantasy back and is well worth a second- or third-round selection in most drafts.
-- To say that Drew Brees has been hotter than a summer day in New Orleans would be quite an understatement. The veteran has completed 35 of his 39 passes in the preseason, and he's done it in part without his two top wide receivers, Marques Colston and Devery Henderson. Brees has a serious arsenal with Colston, Henderson, David Patten, Terrance Copper and Eric Johnson, not to mention Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister, so expect him to remain one of the top three fantasy quarterbacks in 2007.
-- Tatum Bell, who hurt his shin in Detroit's last preseason contest, took part in part of Monday's practice and is expected to be available for Thursday's exhibition finale against Buffalo. With the status of Kevin Jones still in question, Bell remains the top fantasy back on the Lions roster. Jones, who continues to recover from foot surgery, will visit a specialist later in the week to help determine whether he will be available for Week 1 or remain on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list headed into the season.
