Chad Henne: Updated Fantasy Outlook, Analysis After Blaine Gabbert Injury

Chad Henne carved up the vaunted Houston Texans defense like a Thanksgiving turkey in Week 11 when Blaine Gabbert left the game with an injured elbow, so what can fantasy owners expect going forward?

Via the Jaguars:

"

Blaine Gabbert has elbow contusion on right arm and is probable to return.#Jaguars

— Jacksonville Jaguars (@jaguars) November 18, 2012"

Eugene Frenette of The Florida Times-Union had this update not long after the Jaguars' report:

"

Gabbert downgraded to questionable, wonder if the TD drive had anything to do with it.

— Eugene Frenette (@GeneFrenette) November 18, 2012"

The Texans defense was ranked No. 3 in the NFL before this game, allowing just 196 yards per game and 13 total touchdowns on the season (six of which were thrown by Aaron Rodgers in Week 6). 

Henne played better than anyone could have expected—especially considering that Gabbert gets most of the first-team reps in practice—and made the most of his opportunities. For the game, he completed 16 of 33 passes for 354 yards with four touchdowns and zero interceptions.

Even more impressive is the way Henne got rookie wide receiver Justin Blackmon involved in the offense. Before this game, Blackmon totaled 26 receptions for 250 yards and one touchdown all year long. 

With Henne behind center, Blackmon caught seven passes for 236 yards and a touchdown.

Remember, this isn't the first time Henne has entered the starting lineup this year and jump-started the Jaguars offense. He was pressed into duty in Week 10 against the Indianapolis Colts when Gabbert injured his shoulder and promptly led the team on its only touchdown drive of the game.

With this in mind, it seems safe to say that Gabbert won't be getting the call to come back into the starting lineup any time soon. 

That means that Henne should be the starting quarterback the rest of the way for the Jaguars in 2012, and if Sunday's impressive outing is any indication of what we can expect from him, he is a viable fantasy quarterback for frustrated fantasy owners in need of help. 

Looking ahead at the schedule, Henne and the Jags have some extremely favorable matchups. Here's a quick look at the team's remaining games:

• Week 12: Tennessee Titans (No. 27-ranked pass defense).
• Week 13: @ Buffalo Bills (No. 17-ranked pass defense).
• Week 14: New York Jets (No. 6-ranked pass defense). 
• Week 15: @ Miami Dolphins (No. 28-ranked pass defense).
• Week 16: New England Patriots (No. 29-ranked pass defense).
• Week 17: @ Tennessee Titans (No. 27-ranked pass defense).

Given the way Henne was able to shred the Texans secondary, he's bound to have a few big games against his upcoming opponents—most of which are ranked in the bottom half of the NFL. 

Henne should be a hot waiver-wire addition for Week 12 and beyond for any fantasy owners needing help at the quarterback position (that means anyone who owns/owned Michael Vick, Jay Cutler, Christian Ponder, etc.). 

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78 and check out my weekly NFL picks at Pickfactor.com