JAX WR Porter Out 6-8 Weeks: Who’ll be #1 WR Now?
The infamous phrase “nagging hamstring injury” had haunted Jerry Porter throughout spring workouts, and on Friday, July 18th the “nagging” injury became a reason for surgery. Porter is expected to be out 6-8 weeks due to the procedure, which repaired a torn hamstring tendon in his leg. On Saturday the 19th, coach Jack Del Rio asserted “Jerry had a successful surgical repair to a hamstring tendon that had continued to bother him. We expect a complete recovery in time for the regular season.”
However, expecting a complete physical recovery for Porter is not the same thing as expecting him to contribute as the team’s #1 WR. Porter has been trying to build rapport with his new QB, David Garrard, and learn a new offensive system/nomenclature, but the nagging hamstring injury limited his repetitions during spring workouts. With the entire training camp now out of reach for Porter, fantasy owners have to revise their expectations for Porter with his new team.
The bottom line here is that Porter has not had a chance to get fully up to speed in the Jacksonville offense, and now he won’t get that chance during training camp. He may not be comfortable with his assignments until mid-season, if then - in my opinion, 2008 may be a “lost season” for Porter due to this combination of relocation and injury.
However, there may be a silver lining to this cloud for astute fantasy owners. Now that Porter is sidelined (and Matt Jones apparently headed out the door due to his drug arrest), Reggie Williams, Mike Williamson, Dennis Northcutt and Mike Walker all have a shot at headlining the passing attack, with Williams sporting an early edge as he was already penciled in as a starter. Marcedes Lewis may see more action at the TE position, as well. As training camp progresses, it may be possible to uncover a true “sleeper” WR among the Jacksonville wideouts - the situation is very fluid now, and somebody figures to benefit from Porter’s misfortune. Pay attention to the story as it unfolds, as you could snag a featured wide receiver on the cheap in your 2008 fantasy draft.
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I am kinda thinking it’s Reggie by default here. I am also curious as to why Mercedes isn’t doing better? I haven’t watched many of their games, admittedly. Are they not using him correctly, or is he just more of a blocker?
Comment by JEB — July 21, 2008 @ 11:37 am