Fantasy Football: Injured Stars Not Worth the Risk and Week 4 Replacements

There is nothing worse than starting a player in fantasy who winds up seeing limited action due to an injury. 

NFL injury reports have a defined classification system, but a "questionable" is undoubtedly different for every team. 

Just to be safe, and to keep you sane from a fantasy perspective, here are four injured players and their Week 4 replacements. 

Replace Hakeem Nicks with Ramses Barden

Nicks hasn't officially been ruled out for the New York Giants' game against the Philadelphia Eagles. 

On Friday, the star wideout was officially listed as "doubtful."

As we saw last week, 6'6'' wideout Ramses Barden is more than capable of producing from the outside receiver position, and his huge frame allows him to shield defenders on passes across the middle. 

It doesn't look good for Nicks to play on Sunday, and Barden's a fine replacement. 

Be smart. 

Send Nicks to the bench and start Barden. 

Replace Kenny Britt with Kendall Wright

Kenny Britt didn't practice all week due to an ankle injury, but head coach Mike Munchak says he could still play on Sunday, according to Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. 

The menacing wideout has seven catches for 60 yards in two appearances this year, so he certainly hasn't lived up to expectations thus far. 

While Britt may see the field, you have to start rookie Kendall Wright in his place. 

The Baylor alum has 14 receptions for 102 yards and one touchdown in three game. While those statistics are undoubtedly far from impressive, he leads the team with 25 targets, and more should be coming his way when Jake Locker and the Titans take on the mighty Houston Texans. 

Replace Ahmad Bradshaw with Andre Brown

Ahmad Bradshaw will return to the action this week after missing Week 3 with a neck injury, and according to Giants' beat writer Jenny Vrentas, head coach Tom Coughlin said Bradshaw will reassume feature back duties against the Eagles on Sunday. 

However, don't expect Brown to be phased out of the offense. 

The Giants successfully utilized a two-back system in the past and love the powerful running style that the bigger Brown brings to the field as a complement to the smaller Bradshaw. 

Though Brown's carries will likely be cut into by Bradshaw, Brown is probably a more viable goal-line option at this point since he isn't dealing with any injury issues. 

Give Brown another shot this week. 

Replace Julian Edelman with Deion Branch

Julian Edelman injured his hand in the second quarter of Week 3's loss to the Baltimore Ravens and did not return for the second half. 

The slippery wideout didn't practice Wednesday and Thursday, and according to Shalise Manza Young of Boston.com, Edelman was not spotted at practice on Friday. 

If you have Edelman on your fantasy team, you're likely in a relatively deep league, and it looks like you may need a replacement. 

Take a look at Deion Branch this week against Buffalo. The Bills have a solid defensive front, which has been allowing just 3.4 yards per rush to starting running backs through three weeks. New England could also be without Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins who didn't practice all week, either. 

Therefore, expect Tom Brady to throw it often, and with Edelman out of the lineup, he could look Branch's way more frequently than usual.