NFL Week 7 Injury Report: Forecasting Impact on Fantasy Football

Not sure what to do if Jimmy Graham can't play this weekend?

Still having trouble finding a wide receiver to replace Danny Amendola?

With several big-name players getting injured this past week, fantasy football owners must know what they need to do in order to replace those studs. 

Whether you are looking to add a player in the waiver wire or not sure if a certain backup running back is going to get many carries this week, you don't have to worry. The answers are here.

With the Week 7 games getting underway Thursday night, here is the forecast for the impact that this week's injury report will have on fantasy football.

DeMarco Murray's Replacements

With DeMarco Murray out this week with a foot injury, Felix Jones is going to get another shot.

Jones has been a major letdown his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys. Entering the 2011 season, many fantasy football owners thought Jones was going to have a breakout year in his first year as the lone starting running back for the Cowboys. Instead, he continued to produce very little and was plagued with injuries.

Last week against the Baltimore Ravens, Jones looked great, but then again every running back has done well against the Ravens the last couple weeks. 

Jones showed last week that he is capable of producing and should make a decent No. 2 fantasy running back against the Carolina Panthers in Week 7.

Phillip Tanner, another Cowboys running back who should see more playing time this week, should only be in your fantasy football starting lineup if you are absolutely desperate for a "flex." I don't see him touching the ball more than 10 times this week.

Trent Richardson's Injury

After getting banged up last week, it appears that Trent Richardson will be ready to go in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts.

Though he is ready to go, I would still keep your eye on his backup running back, Montario Hardesty. Richardson is still going to be feeling some effects from his injury, and after Hardesty's impressive outing last week, where he ran for 56 yards and a touchdown, I would expect him to get some more carries.

Richardson is a must start every week, but if you are in need of some depth at the running back position, Hardesty is definitely worth adding.

The Rise of Brandon Gibson

When Danny Amendola went down with an injury, immediately every fantasy football owner was trying to figure out who was going to step up for the St. Louis Rams and fill in for him.

Was it going to be Steve Smith? Or possibly their second-round draft pick Brian Quick?

Turns out that Sam Bradford's new go-to target is going to be Brandon Gibson. 

In Week 6, Gibson led all Rams receivers with seven receptions, while also being targeted a team-high nine times. Since Amendola is expected to be out for a while, you have to add Gibson. He has the potential to pick up right where Amendola left off and become a legit fantasy football wide receiver.

With the Rams set to play the Green Bay Packers in Week 7, Gibson is definitely worth considering to start at the "flex" position.

Jimmy Graham's Possible Replacement

After not practicing Wednesday, it is uncertain what Jimmy Graham's playing status is for the New Orleans Saints' matchup this weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

If Graham is not able to go, then anyone who needs a replacement tight end should add his backup, David Thomas.

No way Thomas will put up the numbers like Graham does, but being the starting tight end in the Saints offense means he should see some targets.

Also, if Graham is not able to play, then Marques Colston and Lance Moore are must starts. These two will see significantly more looks from Drew Brees.

Green Bay Packers Receiving Corps

With Greg Jennings out with an injury, it appears that James Jones is on the verge of becoming a fantasy football stud.

In each of his last three games, Jones has scored twice and has seven touchdowns on the season. Going up against the St. Louis Rams this week, Jones should find the end zone once again.

Not only is Jones a must start, but so are Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb.

Nelson had a huge breakout game in Week 6, catching three touchdown passes for over 120 receiving yards. After struggling in the beginning of the season, it appears that the Nelson we remember from last year is finally back.

Cobb will make a great "flex" play this week. With Jennings out, Cobb is getting on the field more, and Aaron Rodgers looks to him often. Last week against the Houston Texans, Cobb caught seven passes for over 100 yards, while being targeted 10 times.