Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
This is the eighth in a series of divisional reports examining pivotal injuries that could impact each NFL team heading into training camp and the regular season. ESPN.com fantasy sports expert Christopher Harris provides a "fantasy spin" on each player. We finish this series by focusing on a key injury affecting each team in the NFC West.
Team: ARIZONA CARDINALS
Player, position, injury:Matt Leinart, QB, broken left collarbone.
Rehab status: Leinart is participating fully in offseason workouts and practices after missing most of last season. The Cardinals have been pleased with Leinart's approach to rehab (party photos notwithstanding). Leinart spent much of last season providing scouting reports to coaches based on what he gleaned from watching opponents on video. Coach Ken Whisenhunt has praised Leinart for putting in extra work at the facility this offseason.
Next step: Leinert hasn't taken a hit since Rams linebacker Will Witherspoon inflicted the injury while sacking the quarterback during an Oct. 7 game in St. Louis. Teams make their quarterbacks off-limits to contact during offseason workouts, so Leinart probably won't get that first hit out of the way until the exhibition season.
Fantasy spin: Leinart is healthy, for now, and he has worked with the first-team offense in organized team activities. The larger question is whether the Heisman winner can stay healthy. If he can, he has the keys to a slick passing game, highlighted by Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. If he can't, Kurt Warner is chomping at the bit. Remember, too, that even before Leinart broke his collarbone in '07, he and Warner were sometimes splitting playing time in the same game. When it comes to the Cardinals' quarterback situation in '08, we expect some kind of time-share.
Team: ST. LOUIS RAMS
Player, position, injury: Orlando Pace, LT, torn labrum and rotator cuff in left shoulder.
Rehab status: Pace is continuing his rehabilitation in the weight room and training room, but not on the field. The Rams are holding him out of minicamp practices. Pace should be well-rested after missing the final 15 games following his injury last season.
Next step: The team expects Pace to be ready for the first training-camp practice July 25. Pace has missed most of the last two seasons. His injuries were unrelated, giving the Rams hope that he'll bounce back without incident in 2008.
Fantasy spin: Pace is only 32 years old, and is reportedly in "svelte" shape this summer. Provided he's ready to go by training camp, he'll add fantasy value to all the Rams' skill players, including Marc Bulger (whose blind side he'll protect), Steven Jackson and Torry Holt. Without Pace (and several other offensive line members) for most of '07, the Rams allowed 48 sacks, sixth-most in the NFL. If Pace, Richie Incognito and Mark Setterstrom all get healthy, the Rams could be a huge offensive turnaround story in '08.
Team: SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Player, position, injury: Alex Smith, QB, separated throwing shoulder.
Rehab status: Smith began throwing on a limited basis earlier this offseason. He has progressed while participating in minicamp practices with virtually no limitations. The 49ers have talked about limiting Smith's deep passes to protect the shoulder, but Smith has been able to throw long.
Next step: Smith, who underwent surgery in December, is the favorite to win the starting job. The team could limit his deep throws at training camp, but only as a precaution.
Fantasy spin: Smith might be recovering from shoulder surgery, but his competition, Shaun Hill, had offseason hand surgery. Whoever earns the starting job in a Mike Martz offense has the potential to enjoy a breakout season statistically, so this is one of the summer's key positional battles. However, we worry that the Niners' offensive line won't withstand Martz's play calling, and that these quarterbacks will get crunched. As in Arizona, a time-share feels likely here, though if one of these guys plays 16 games, the sky is the fantasy limit.
Team: SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Player, position, injury: Deion Branch, WR, torn anterior-cruciate ligament in left knee.
Rehab status: Branch remains in the middle stages of rehabilitation after suffering the injury during a playoff game. The injury's timing will prevent Branch from joining his teammates on the field for offseason practices. That almost certainly includes training camp.
Next step: Branch will likely remain in the background until sometime in September. The Seahawks expect him to play this season, but they aren't sure exactly when. Players coming off ACL injuries often aren't right until the second season following the injury. Branch's long-term prognosis is good. Teammate Bobby Engram remained effective after undergoing ACL surgery while with the Bears years ago.
Fantasy spin: We'll be surprised if Branch is ready to go by Week 1. He seems more likely to be on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list for the first six weeks of the regular season. If he makes good progress between now and then, though, Branch could be an intriguing fantasy sleeper, because many of your league mates will have forgotten about him. Take him in the last round of a deep draft, stash him away, and hope. In his absence, Bobby Engram will be the Seahawks' No. 1 receiver, with Nate Burleson on the other side and guys like Logan Payne, Ben Obomanu and Courtney Taylor competing for playing time.
