Sure, fantasy owners are thankful to have bye weeks in the rearview mirrors, but instead of filling holes left by idle players, fantasy owners are scrambling to find replacements for injured stars .

Perhaps Week 10 was an aberration of what had been a mostly injury-free season to date. Or maybe it was a sign of things to come.

With the fantasy playoffs in sight, fantasy owners have to hope—nay, pray—that last weekend's injury epidemic was an isolated outbreak.

 

A few injury updates before this week’s start and sit advice:

RB Cedric Benson, Bengals

Benson missed practice yesterday, and it is looking highly doubtful he will play this Sunday at Oakland. Rookie Bernard Scott should see a lot of touches, and Larry Johnson may be active for his first game with the Bengals.

 

RB Brian Westbrook, Eagles

Westy already has been ruled out for this weekend’s game. Fantasy owners can rule him out for the near future, as well. However, doctors do expect Westbrook to make a full recovery given the proper rest.

 

RB Ronnie Brown, Dolphins

Brown has been placed on injured reserve, ending his 2009 season. Ricky Williams took over as the main ball carrier in Miami last night and scored three times. Brown, meanwhile, is set to have surgery today on a reported Lisfranc injury to his foot.

 

RB Michael Turner, Falcons

The Burner has not yet been officially ruled out for this Sunday’s game against the Giants, but it is looking doubtful he will play. There is no timetable for his return as of yet. Jason Snelling will get the start in his stead this weekend and could be a decent flex play.

 

Start ‘Em

QB Matt Ryan @ Giants 

Ryan has been a disappointment this season from a fantasy standpoint, but he could have a nice weekend against a poor pass defense.

 

QB Jay Cutler vs. Eagles 

Despite throwing five interceptions last weekend, Cutler throws the ball too much to bench him at this point.

 

RB Kevin Smith vs. Browns

Smith should run over, through and around, the Browns’ defense, just like everyone else has this season.

 

RB Bernard Scott @ Raiders

If Benson is out—very likely—Scott is going to get a high volume of touches this weekend. A great start off the waiver wire for Benson owners.

 

WR Donald Driver vs. 49ers

Greg Jennings gets all the fantasy love, but Driver continues to do work. He and Hines Ward are playing like young men again.

 

WR Sidney Rice vs. Seahawks

With Brett Favre at quarterback, Rice has become one of the league’s best young wide receivers.

 

TE Fred Davis @ Cowboys

Another good opportunity for Davis, especially with the Redskins’ offense playing a little better these days.

 

Sit ‘Em

QB Kyle Orton vs. Chargers

He is not completely healthy and these teams appear to be going in opposite directions.

 

QB Alex Smith @ Packers

Smith disappointed owners with a single-digit fantasy performance against the Bears last week. It is hard to trust him again.

 

RB Jamaal Charles vs. Steelers

A popular waiver wire add a few weeks ago, but Charles draws a very tough matchup this weekend.

 

RB Justin Forsett @ Vikings

As a popular waiver wire add this week, Forsett has to go on the road against one of the league’s best defenses.

 

WR Miles Austin vs. Redskins

Now that Austin has become a starting receiver, defenses are paying much more attention to him. That has opened things up for Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton.

 

WR Michael Crabtree @ Packers

The Green Bay defense played inspired football at home last weekend against a potent Dallas offense.

 

TE Jason Witten vs. Redskins

Still hard to bench this guy given all the potential, but the numbers are severely lacking this season.

 

For more great fantasy roster advice this week, including a plethora of "Start & Sit" links and consensus rankings, head over to the Fantasy Football Librarian. Don’t forget to grab your library card.