Brian Westbrook - Injury Prone??

[Stelly]

I've seen this become a sub-topic in a couple threads, so I thought I'd open it up here.

Do you think Brian Westbrook is injury prone, or is is time missed overblown because the Eagles already had things locked up, and they gave him extra rest?

I'm in a position where I may have the option of drafting him, and am weighing my options (I have Gore as a keeper, and will like choose between S. Alexander, FWP, and Westy in a non-ppr).

[dream_017]

He has played in 40 out of 48 games over the last 3 years and started 38 of those 40. I not say that is considered injury prone

[eagles21]

He definitely is injury prone. He managed to stay relatively healthy last year, and only missed one game, but the two years before he missed a handful of games in both seasons. The way he runs, and since he is on the field almost every play, he will always be injury prone.

[thriftyrocker]

He was injured all last year but played through it. That said, I think he would have played through his 2005 injuries if they were in contention. I think it's pretty likely he'll get hurt again, but it's also very likely he'll play through it. And even if he gets 12-15 touches, he's still a solid start.

[Azrael]

2 of the games in 2004 he did not play in at the end of the year because they were resting guys. He also missed a game at the end of 2005 just because they held him out because they were done. So he's really only missed 5 games due to injury in the last 3 years. Does he get hurt? Yes, but they aren't debilitating injuries like everyone makes them out to be. He misses a game here or there. I'd take that.

[eaglesrule]

Probably, but not in the sense that some other guys are. Tough question, as he always seems to be on the injury report. I wonder how much of it is Reid keeping him out of practice etc. as well. In my opinion, while it stinks to have him miss games, when he does play, he gives you a great chance to win, and I'll worry about the playoffs when I get there. Of course, I wouldn't ever want to take him over Tomlinson, SA, Johnson, Steven Jackson and a couple of others (maybe). But I'd rather have him risk and all over some solid, but more limited guys in terms of upside.

And yes, of the games he has missed, I feel there are mitigating circumstances. He missed playoff games in 2003, missed the Steelers game (would have played if it were against an NFC team--Eagles were 8-0 at that point, the risk/reward ratio wasn't there) and two games (resting starters) in 2004. 2005 was hurt, but it was totally pointless to play him too--so the jury is out.

[chidoy]

He has played in 40 out of 48 games over the last 3 years and started 38 of those 40. I not say that is considered injury prone

Great post. I had westy the past 2 years and never hesitated to put him in. Yes, he'll be listed as questionable a lot but he'll play. And when he does, he's a beast in ppr. Good luck!

[mattb47]

There's always got to be concerns about a guy who is seemingly injured so often. There's not a huge jump between just being on the injury report every week and getting hurt just a little worse and being done for a season or at least a few games. I think he certainly is a sizable injury risk given how often he struggles with injuries regardless of whether he's played through them or not in the past and for that reason alone, I have him behind some other players on the same tier just because they don't carry that risk of injury quite as much. Just more of a personal preference than anything....just would rather not deal with all that on my team if I can help it.

[dgan]

I guess it depends on your definition of "injury prone". His problem, which finally went away last half of last year, is this chronic knee condition. He was listed on the injury report 13 out of 16 weeks last year. And while he played in most, there was ONE game where he was pulled right before game time.

So, is he injury prone in the manner that he will miss a lot of time? No. But almost every year he will cost you a game because he's pulled at the last minute or early in the game. Especially with all the primetime games the Eagles usually have, you almost never know the story on him when rosters are due in.

As I said, though, they seemed to get a handle on that knee condition last year. So this is probably the year you can feel comfortable taking him in the first round of ANY league. Not just PPR.

[mrblitz]

I certainly don't thin he's ,injury prone. He is probably just as seceptable to injuries as most other rbs. I would take him in a heartbeat.