This weekend’s slew of injuries raised more questions than it did answers as there are very few time-specific diagnoses with clear handcuffs. This week, we’ve got RBs and WRs only, and I’m not especially excited about any one of them. But hey, I gotta write something! So if you’re getting desperate, consider these gents. The RBs are especially valuable if you own the guy in front of them for peace of mind, because it’s not clear how long they’ll have a shot at the starting gig.
Michael Bush (Owned in 52% of Yahoo Leagues)
Darren McFadden injured his ankle in the beginning of the game, which let George W. Bush’s brother from another mother carry the load for 99 yards. The Raiders are on a bye in Week 8 and there’s a possibility that McFadden returns in Week 9. DMC was on crutches today so I expect Bush to get at least one start. And even when McFadden is active, Bush often produces enough to make him flex-worthy.
Antonio Brown (31%)
Antonio Brown is coming off a career game.
Hines Ward suffered an injury and I don’t expect him to play this week, which is precisely the opportunity my boy A-Brown needed. Emmanuel Sanders is also enticing in deeper leagues but I like Brown more. His 9 targets once again led the team in Week 7. Ward’s 35 yards or so per week are nothing spectacular, but if you add those to Brown’s already decent yardage, you have a fine WR3. Brown is yet to score this season, but I tend to think TDs are more flukey than yards so if 2 WRs have the same fantasy points, I’ll take the guy who got those points through yards, and assume some TDs will come. Brown had 7 catches for 102 yards this weekend, and he could put up similar numbers going forward.
Knowshon Moreno (48%)
Moreno was justifiably dropped in a ton of leagues after Willis McGahee took a firm grip on the starting job in Denver. But McGahee injured his hand on Sunday, so Moreno could be relevant once again. We have to assume that McGahee will take the starting gig back in a few weeks though, and it was disturbing to see Moreno split touches with Lance Ball when McGahee left. Kno-Show Moreno managed 28 yards on the ground and caught 2 balls for 10 yards. He’s a solid add on the chance that he gets a few starts, and possibly carves a little into McGahee’s load upon his return.
Demaryius Thomas (10%)
We mentioned Thomas last week, and he delivered 3 catches for 27 yards a score in Tebow’s heroic comeback effort. What’s key here however, is that Thomas saw 10 targets to Eric Decker’s 3 and Eddie Royal’s 4. I may be over-reacting to one game, but if I have to own one receiver on the Broncos going forward, it would be Demaryius.
Alfonso Smith (2%)
Beanie Wells left the game with a knee injury and Smith responded with 17 yards and a score. LaRod Stephens-Howling will be involved in the passing game, but Smith should see the majority of carries next week against… uh-oh, the Ravens. Still, if Wells misses more time than his initial 1-2 week timetable, Smith will have some value.
Jabar Gaffney (20%)
Gaffney was already putting up consistently mediocre production, and with Santana Moss out for 5-7 weeks, say hello to your new #1 WR! I think Fred Davis is the only Redskin receiver worth starting, but Gaffney could prove me wrong.
Steve Breaston (29%)
Breaston has also been putting up some consistent, albeit unspectacular production. He caught 5 balls for 64 yards against the Raiders, and his 9 targets were second only to Dwayne Bowe’s 10. With
Leon Washington saw his play increase after the injury to Marshawn Lynch.
Bowe seeing plenty of defensive attention, Breaston will benefit from plenty of single coverage and should be a solid PPR asset.
Leon Washington (4%)
Marshawn Lynch’s absence was a surprise to all of fantasyland, but apparently it was not a total surprise to the Seahawks staff, who mentioned that Lynch probably should have been on last week’s injury report after the game. Washington rushed for 39 yards and caught 4 balls for 10 yards. He’ll have to contend with Justin Forsett for touches, but should get the majority of touches if and when Lynch is gone. Mum’s the word on Lynch’s injury, but add Washington if you’re desperate for some help in the coming weeks.
Delone Carter (20%)
Carter created some separation between himself and Donald Brown by putting up 89 yards and a TD on the ground, some of which came in the first 10 minutes of this game that were not garbage time. Joseph Addai did start this game but pulled an “Addai” and immediately re-aggravated his injury. Who knows if and when Addai will be back, but it’s clear that Carter’s the Colt back to own if you insist on torturing yourself thusly.
Kregg Lumpkin (2%)
The Bucs are on a bye this week and then I’m betting LeGarrette Blount returns because he was able to make the flight to England. Earnest Graham is done for the year, so this backfield will be Lumpkin’s if Blount is unable to return against the Saints in Week 9. The Lumpster, as no one is calling him, managed 15 rushing yard and 37 receiving yards on 6 catches as the Bucs played catchup all game.