SOURCE: www.heraldnet.com

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The only information teams are required to disclose on Wednesday and Thursday is who doesn't practice with little specifics as to why.

For example, Wednesday's injury report for the Seahawks' opponent, Tampa Bay, had three players listed. Defensive end Patrick Chukwurah was missing because of a knee injury which could conceivably mean anything from a bruise to a torn ACL. Tight end Jerramy Stevens was missing because of something known as a "player decision," which was official NFL-ese for having to go to court (guess there was a bad "player decision" somewhere along the way). And wide receiver Joey Galloway was out because of a "team decision."

Not until today does any of that start getting translated into information we can actually use.

When it comes to fantasy football, the new policy seems to be the hardest to take. For example, a fantasy team that is weighing whether to start a hobbled Marc Bulger on a Sunday or a healthy Damon Huard on a Thursday will have to rely mostly on blind faith.

"The biggest thing it's going to affect it the waiver wire," said Waldman, the fantasy football expert. "Do you pick up a free agent if you have another player who's hurt and you're not sure if he's going to start?"

Sportsmemo.com's Trushel said that in his field, handicapping, the injury reports aren't all that valuable at all. He said he relies more on local newspapers to get information on who and who will not play in games.

"I don't think it affects when you're going to make your (bets)," Trushel said of the new policy. "Injury reports aren't legal documents it's not like the coach or player is going to be held legally accountable so it's all speculative anyway."

To its credit, the NFL has been somewhat forthcoming with injuries over the years at least in theory. There were plenty of coaches who violated the policy, and now they'll get a couple more days to keep their team's health problems to themselves.

But as of today, we all get to know if Joey Porter has a probable groin, whether Warren Sapp's stomach is questionable or whether Joey Harrington's arm is doubtful. Oh, the things that pique our curious minds.

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