GORE BREAKS HAND
San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore broke a bone in his hand during training camp and is expected to miss the majority of the preseason. In just his second season Gore led the NFC with 1,695 yards and is considered a top-five running back in the League. The team expects Gore to be ready for week one. It is possible, however, that he receives fewer touches to begin the season. Coach Mike Nolan has said that Gore will be held out of practice till the end of preseason: monitor his recovery closely.
RAIDERS SIGN CULPEPPER
Free agent quarterback Daunte Culpepper signed a one-year contract with the Oakland Raiders on Tuesday, giving the team a veteran backup for rookie JaMarcus Russell. Culpepper began 2006 as the Miami Dolphins starting quarterback, but was sidelined in order in favor of continued rehab after being sacked 21 times in his first four games. While Culpepper lacks any real value to start the season, his worth could become more apparent if Russell has trouble transitioning to the NFL. And if Russell's current holdout continues, then Culpepper will likely begin the season as a starter. While he does have injury issues, he is not so far removed from his spectacular 2004 campaign that he can't earn a permanent starting spot. As it stands, Culpepper should be a backup and occasional starter for the Raiders, who can only benefit from the presence of a veteran leader on the sidelines.
REDSKINS INJURY PILE
Add Clinton Portis to the growing list of injured Arizona Cardinals. Portis sat out training camp for consecutive days after suffering swelling and soreness due knee tendonitis. Portis joins starters Chris Samuels, Marcus Washington, Santana Moss and Randy Thomas on the sidelines. A myriad of injuries have limited the effectiveness of the Cardinals training camp this week, and it remains to be seen whether any of the beleaguered players will participate in the first preseason game this weekend. The Cardinals stock is down to start the season; no matter what the position, injuries hurt the whole teams production.
GIANTS CAREER DONE?
Michael Strahan is considering retirement after 14 seasons in the NFL. He is reportedly seeking a renegotiation of his $4 million contract. The seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end and active NFL leader in sacks (132.5) recently lost a colossal divorce case against his wife and reportedly owes $15.3 million in child support and other damages. Holdout or retirement by Strahan would be a huge blow to the Giants, who already lost Tiki Barber during the off-season. Although fellow defensive end Osi Umenyiora guessed that Strahan still has a 50-50 chance of coming back, any thought of starting the Giants defense should be abandoned.
VIKINGS SIGN PETERSON
Adrian Peterson ended a brief holdout on Monday by signing $40.5 million contact with the Minnesota Vikings. The No. 7 overall draft pick will join with Chester Taylor to form what is expected to be an exciting backfield tandem. Peterson joined the team on the first day of public workouts. The Vikings made few moves during the off-season to help aid their lackluster offense, so Peterson should be an immediate impact player. As a second or third running back, no fantasy owner could go wrong.
Lamberti is UPDATE! Editor in Chief.
