Branch Suffers Serious Injury

January 15, 2008 @ 06:51:56

By Fraser Lovat
Edited by Cory J. Bonini

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Deion Branch (knee) will have surgery on his left knee to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Branch received a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews and is expected to be out at least nine months.

Branch suffered the knee injury against the Green Bay Packers in the team's Divisional Round playoff game Saturday, Jan. 12. After receiving a second opinion from Dr. Andrews, he was told that he will require surgery. He likely will miss at least nine months, which would not allow him to participate in spring minicamps and could also limit him once training camp started.

With Branch out for an extended period of time, receivers on the depth chart will move up and assume their new role at the position. Most likely to benefit will be wideout Bobby Engram. Although Engram recorded almost double the catches Branch had, he was not considered the team's No. 1 receiver. If Branch is unable to participate in minicamps and training camp, Engram would become the team's No. 1 receiver. Engram was targeted 144 times throughout the season (12.06 percent of the offense), including the playoffs.

Nate Burleson will also move up on the depth chart and possibly see an increased role next season. Burleson played in all 16 regular season games, catching 50 passes for 694 yards and led the team with nine receiving touchdowns. Burleson saw 110 targets (9.22 percent of the offense) during the season, including the playoffs.

D.J. Hackett, who suffered from an ankle injury throughout the 2007 season, could also see an increased role if he is able to stay healthy. Hackett participated in only six regular season games but managed to play in both playoff games. He recorded eight receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown in said contests. During the regular season, he was limited to 32 receptions for 384 yards and three touchdowns. Hackett was targeted 59 times in the season, including the playoffs.

Fantasy Outlook

As a fantasy owner you may want to take a wait-and-see approach with Branch. Branch suffered an injury that typically takes 18 months to fully recover from. Although his rehab period is only expected to be about nine months, he may not be fully recovered until months and months after that point. It is simply too early to tell what the future holds for Branch's fantasy value, especially considering the long road ahead of him, in terms of rehabilitation.

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Fraser Lovat
Fraser is a Hot off the Wire Analyst with KFFL and has been with the company since 2007.

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