Maurice Jones Drew: Fantasy Replacements for Injured Jaguars RB

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew is the ultimate fantasy running back. You can build your roster around him and feel confident that you will be at or near the top of the standings when the regular season ends. 

Week 7 was a disaster for the Jaguars and their superstar running back. The team lost to Oakland in overtime, and Jones-Drew was forced to watch the second half from the sidelines with his foot in a protective boot and needing the assistance of crutches. 

Given the fast-paced nature of the NFL and fantasy football, there really is no rest for the weary. The Jaguars can't rest on their laurels, and neither can your fantasy team. 

Here are a few options to keep an eye on when scouring the waiver wire to replace Jones-Drew. 

Rashad Jennings, Jacksonville Jaguars

If you are going to look for a player's replacement, you might as well start by examining the backup who will take his spot. 

Jennings was handed the carries usually reserved for Jones-Drew in Oakland on Sunday. He did put forth a decent effort with 44 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. Obviously the yards per carry won't do, but if he can get that up to at least a respectable number, he can be serviceable. 

Despite having just 90 yards on 34 carries this season, there are reasons to be optimistic about Jennings' prospects. He has put together 751 on 157 carries with six touchdowns in his career. 

That 4.8 yards per carry average would make Jennings one of the most valuable fantasy assets in the league. He just has to figure out a way to get back to that level. 

The Jaguars do have to play the resurgent Packers next week, who have allowed just 104 combined yards to the leading rusher in their last two games. 

LaRod Stephens-Howling, Arizona Cardinals

If you thought the Jaguars had it bad losing Jones-Drew, the Cardinals have lost their top two running backs in Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams. 

None of that mattered on Sunday, as Stephens-Howling stepped up with 104 rushing yards, 45 receiving yards and a touchdown against a good Minnesota defense. 

Don't expect that kind of dominant rushing performance every week from Stephens-Howling, as the Cardinals' offensive line is still among the worst in the NFL, but it is comforting to see one of their running backs thrive against a defense that has been very good most of the season. 

Of course, next week he has to go up against the 49ers, who boast one of the best defensive lines in the NFL. They have been run on the last two weeks against the Giants and Seahawks, but the Cardinals aren't as physical up front as those teams. 

Stephens-Howling is still their best chance to win this game, so don't be shocked to see him carry the ball 20-25 times again. 

Jonathan Dwyer, Pittsburgh Steelers

Like the Cardinals, the Steelers were down to their third-string running back in Week 7. Also like the Cardinals, their running back came through with a huge game that no one saw coming. 

Against the Bengals, Dwyer went for 122 yards on 17 carries. He is a one-dimensional running back, as he will not catch a lot of passes out of the backfield, nor does he find the end zone, but if you are in a pinch and need yards, he is your man. 

Even with a banged up offensive line in front of him, Dwyer has averaged 4.7 yards per carry this season. He is the only running back on the roster averaging more than four yards whenever he touches the ball. 

A game against the Redskins, who do defend the run well, could prove to be the kryptonite that stops Dwyer, but when his number gets called, for the most part, at least, he has proven up to the task. 

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