Breaking down the injuries

And we're back in business.

My apologies to those who may have scouring this blog over the last 10 days or so seeking some new information or insight. Tony and I and the rest of the NFL staff have been feverishly working over the past week on our in-depth season previews, which are now available for your viewing pleasure on our NFL page. Previews for the AFC North, South and West and the NFC East teams were posted on Monday, with the remainder of the divisions now available today.

As I'm sure you all already know, a lot has gone on around the league since our last entry. Injuries have been the most prevalent theme among the recent happenings, many of which will have lasting effects on a number of expected contenders. Here's a quick rundown on the current status of some of the star players who are hurting at the moment, and the possible impact their absences will have down the road.

Osi Umenyiora, Giants (knee): Ouch. There's little question that the Giants' improbable run to last year's Super Bowl victory wouldn't have been possible without the relentless pressure their defense placed on enemy quarterbacks throughout the season. With Michael Strahan retired (we think) and Umenyiora, who led the G-Men with 13 sacks en route to a Pro Bowl nod in 2007, done for the year after tearing his meniscus in Saturday's preseason battle with the Jets, New York's x-factor likely has been taken away. The Giants still have Justin Tuck at one end and will shift Mathias Kiwanuka from linebacker into Osi's right-side spot, so the cupboard certainly isn't bare. But depth along the line has now become a huge issue for Big Blue, which will be hard-pressed to duplicate last season's league-best 53-sack total.

Of course, a return to active duty by Strahan would help solve some of those woes. I initially poo-pooed this idea when it first became speculation, believing there's no way the future Hall of Famer would want to leave his forthcoming cushy studio job at Fox and sacrifice the ultimate desire of any athlete -- the chance to go out on top. But now it seems the possibility of a comeback by the Giants' all-time sack king is growing stronger by the minute. The New York Daily News reported on Monday that Strahan's agent confirmed that the Giants have expressed interest in bringing the soon-to-be 37-year-old back and that his client is considering the idea. New York will have to pony up to lure Strahan back into the wars, but there's also no pass-rusher of his caliber currently on the market.

Shawne Merriman, Chargers (knee): The All-Pro linebacker is in Miami today meeting with a fourth doctor regarding his damaged left knee, keeping his fingers that he'll receive a different diagnosis than that of the first three specialists that drew the same conclusion -- that Merriman should undergo season-ending surgery. The 24-year-old is determined to be a part of a Chargers season that has a legitimate shot of ending in a Super Bowl, even if it means jeopardizing his long-term health. It sounds like Merriman is going to try to put off the inevitable for as long as he can, but I give him zero chance of making it through the year without missing any time.

In the meantime, the Chargers are prepping intriguing second-year pro Jyles Tucker for an extended role in 2008. The undrafted free agent showed plenty of promise in spot duty last year, including a three-sack, two forced fumble performance in the regular-season finale against the Raiders. The organization has shown its faith in Tucker by rewarding him with a five-year extension on Monday. He's no Merriman, but San Diego looks to have enough talent to get by if its best defensive player is forced to sit out the season.

Chad Johnson, Bengals (shoulder): Ocho Cinco says he'll be able to play through a partially-torn labrum in his left shoulder, but there are plenty of indicators that the Bengals are greatly concerned of whether the attention-starved wideout will be able to hold up. Warning sign No. 1 was the team's re-signing of problem child Chris Henry last week, just four months after president Mike Brown steadfastly swore that talented but troubled receiver would never don the tiger stripes ever again. Then came Monday's ESPN report that Cincinnati is shopping running back Rudi Johnson with the hope of obtaining a wide receiver in return. Good luck with that one. I doubt teams will be lining up for a player in obvious decline, hasn't been healthy during training camp and is a good bet to be released this weekend with the preseason re-emergence of Chris Perry as a contributor to the Bengals' backfield mix.

Peyton Manning, Colts (knee): Manning's status for the September 7 regular-season opener against Chicago appeared to be in question following Indianapolis' star quarterback's summer surgery to remove an infected bursa sac from his knee, but those fears are beginning to be alleviated. The Colts activated the two-time league MVP from the active/physically able to perform list on Tuesday, and Manning is expected to begin practicing for the first time since the procedure today. That should leave him plenty of time to get ready for Week 1. Remember, Manning hasn't missed a game since joining the NFL in 1998, having started 160 consecutive contests.

Tom Brady, Patriots (foot): Come on. Brady's been listed on the Pats' injury report with a right shoulder problem three years running, and all he's done during that time is throw for nearly 12,500 yards and 100 touchdowns. New England had Randy Moss sit out practices for virtually all of last year's camp with an alleged hamstring problem, and we all remember how that worked out. The master of the cloak-and-dagger, Bill Belichick, is likely taking the same approach with Brady's mysterious foot injury. He won't need much practice time to take apart the Chiefs in Week 1.