Peyton Manning Out After Neck Surgery

The Indianapolis Colts announced today that quarterback Peyton Manning will likely miss significant time this season after having neck surgery on Thursday. The Colts decided to keep Manning on the active roster, hoping he can return later in the season.

Manning, 35, is a four-time NFL MVP and hasn't missed a game in 14 NFL seasons, with 227 consecutive starts, including postseason.

Manning, who signed a five-year, $90 million contract in July, also had neck surgery in May of this year and February 2010.

Fantasy impact: The fantasy impact is huge. Manning is considered a top 5 quarterback and losing him is a big blow to teams that drafted him. The fantasy impact will also be felt by owners who drafted Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie and Dallas Clark. Having Kerry Collins throwing to them devalues the trio immensely. Possible replacements for Manning: Colt McCoy (8 or 9 favorable match-ups), David Garrard (he'll land somewhere) and Donovan McNabb (wild card with a couple favorable match-ups).

2011 NFL Predictions



Fantasy Football Player Rankings: Week 1

Quarterbacks (Full list here)
1) Philip Rivers vs. MIN - 305 yards/3 TDs/0 INTs
2) Aaron Rodgers vs. NO - 295 yards/3 TDs/1 INT (25 rushing yards/0 TDs)
3) Michael Vick @STL - 225 yards/2 TDs/2 INTs (50 rushing yards/0 TDs)

Running backs (Full list here)
1) Darren McFadden @DEN - 100 ru. yards/5 Rec./40 rec. yards/1 TD
2) Jamaal Charles vs. BUF - 95 ru. yards/4 Rec./35 rec. yards/1 TD
3) Peyton Hillis vs. CIN - 95 ru. yards/3 Rec./20 rec. yards/1 TD

Wide receivers (Full list here)
1) Larry Fitzgerald vs. CAR - 8 rec./100 rec. yards/1 TD
2) Vincent Jackson vs. MN - 5 rec. 95 rec. yards/1 TD
3) Andre Johnson vs. IND - 7 rec./90 rec. yards/1 TD

Tight ends (Full list here)

1) Antonio Gates vs. MN - 6 rec. 75 rec. yards/1 TD
2) Jason Witten @NYJ - 6 rec. 70 rec. yards/1 TD
3) Jimmy Graham @GB - 6 rec. 70 rec. yards/1 TD

The Fantasy Football Source Podcast -- 9/6/11

As week one of the NFL season approaches, it's time to get on the record with The Source's predictions for upcoming fantasy football season. On this week's podcast, I chat with John Vomhof, sports business writer with the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. We discussed the players we think are going to go boom and bust this year.

Click here to listen to The Fantasy Football Source Podcast.