C.J. Spiller Injury: 4 Short-Term Fantasy Football Replacements

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Buffalo Bills RB C.J. Spiller went down with a bad shoulder injury last week. While losing Spiller is a huge blow for his fantasy football owners in Week 4, there are many solid free agent replacements out there.

In all likelihood, Mikel Leshoure and Ryan Williams were picked off waivers this week and are no longer available in your league.

While they were the best two options to replace Spiller, odds are your free agent pool is still loaded with solid RBs set to perform in Week 4.

If your team is craving a short-term producer at RB, these players deserve an add.

Bilal Powell

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Shonn Greene is becoming a huge annoyance to both the New York Jets and his fantasy owners. Backup RB Bilal Powell could be ready to take over the starting job.

Powell has earned an increased workload each week. He recorded a career high 10 carries and 45 yards in Week 3, and looked far superior to the non-factor Greene.

His 4.1 yards per carry also drastically outperforms Greene's 2.1, so it's possible that a discrete depth chart repositioning is in the works at RB. 

Expect around 12 carries from Powell in Week 4. Although the Jets play the 49ers, anyone who is in line for double-digit carries and a possible start is worth a free agent addition.

Tashard Choice

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Tashard Choice will take over for Spiller this week in Buffalo, and should also take his place on your fantasy team.

Although it looks like Fred Jackson will play, he's coming off a bad injury and likely won't carry the ball more than 10 times.

Choice, therefore, will probably be Buffalo's No. 1 back heading into Sunday.

The odds-makers are predicting a close game against the Patriots. If the Bills manage to grab the lead, Choice will rack up the yards.

Make the smart choice—add Choice.

Lance Ball

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Willis McGahee is coming off a bad injury and won't be on the field much on Sunday. Backup RB Lance Ball is next in line for the carries.

If McGahee sits or John Fox drastically limits his carries, Ball will likely have a solid game.

The Raiders rushing defense is nothing outstanding. If Peyton Manning leads the Broncos to an early lead, Denver would undoubtedly run the ball a lot, allowing Ball to rack up the yards and even a score or two. 

Keep in mind that adding Ball is purely a play on McGahee's health. If we find out before Sunday's game that McGahee is starting at 100 percent, pass on Ball. 

Daniel Thomas

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Daniel Thomas was a popular waiver add this week following Reggie Bush's knee injury and could be in line for a big game on Sunday in Arizona. 

However, many owners are giving up on Thomas this week because Bush will probably fight through his injury and play in Week 4.

Yet, Thomas remains a solid play in deeper leagues.

Even if Bush plays, he'll have his carries and effectiveness limited. This leaves the door open for Thomas to rack up carries and yardage.

If there's any dampener on Thomas' Week 4 value, it's Arizona's tough rush defense. Yet, Thomas will still get double-digit carries and 50-plus yards, warranting a play deeper leagues.