Danny Amendola: Fantasy Replacements for Injured Rams Star

For the fantasy owners who fell deeply in love with St. Louis Rams star wide receiver Danny Amendola’s performance this year, the shoulder injury he sustained Thursday night against the Arizona Cardinals is devastating.

ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter is reporting on Amendola’s status:

"

Rams believe WR Danny Amendola suffered a sternoclavicular joint separation, which could sideline him about six weeks, though could be less.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 5, 2012"

While the choice to cut the star loose or sit him on the bench until the fantasy playoffs is tough, the roster spot won't fill itself, so it’s time to man-up (or woman-up)!

Fantasy owners must move past Amendola to other receivers for the next few weeks, and these are your best waiver-wire options. Good luck!

Domenik Hixon, New York Giants

With serious injury concerns surrounding Hakeem Nicks and his ailing knee and ankle, the New York Giants will lean on journeyman receiver Domenik Hixon Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.

Cleveland has a tough secondary, but No. 2 receivers have been playing well against the unit this season. That’s where Hixon comes in.

At 6’2”, the Giants WR is the perfect height to go up over the smaller Browns cornerbacks and get the ball when Eli Manning heaves it down the field.

There may be nothing to help a fantasy owner get over the loss of Amendola again this year, but Hixon’s six catches for 114 yards last week would look really nice this time around on your roster.

Donnie Avery, Indianapolis Colts

For fantasy owners who were stung by the injury to Amendola, salvation may come in the form of Indianapolis Colts No. 2 wide receiver Donnie Avery. Despite the rookie under center, Avery is having a surprisingly good season.

The Colts are coming off a bye and are playing the tough Green Bay Packers, but that’s not bad news for fantasy owners. With Aaron Rodgers showing his old skills last week, this will turn into a shootout and Avery owners will benefit.

Green Bay will focus heavily on Reggie Wayne, so look for rookie Andrew Luck to go through his progression chain and find Avery down the sidelines wide open.

If Indianapolis goes down early, expect a huge game from Avery in the same vein as his nine-catch, 111-yard performance in Week 2.

James Jones, Green Bay Packers

Star wide receiver Greg Jennings is out this week, and the Green Bay Packers' commitment to getting him healthy should have Amendola owners falling over themselves to acquire James Jones.

The hardest part of suggesting a Packer as a waiver-wire pickup is trying to predict where the team’s offense will go each week. With so many weapon, predicting offensive output from a Packers wideout isn’t easy.

Double coverage will now shift to Jordy Nelson as the No. 1 wide receiver, though, leaving the talented Jones on the edge, likely in man coverage.

While Jones may not be the long-term solution to the Amendola problem, he will be a solid fantasy start.

Check back for more on the National Football League as it comes, and don’t miss Bleacher Report’s NFL page to get your fill of all things football.

Follow @Donald_Wood