Eric Decker's Instant Fantasy Reaction After Wes Welker's Injury

Things have been difficult to figure out in Denver this season as far as fantasy production goes.

Week 12 may be a bit easier to discern for owners after Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker went down with a concussion against Kansas City on Sunday night. As Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post illustrates, this means Welker could miss at least a week:

Time for Eric Decker to step up.

Decker did so against the Chiefs, but it was a ho-hum fantasy output. He caught five passes for 71 yards, but it still translated to under 10 fantasy points.

That's been the story of the season for Decker. He has scored over 10 fantasy points in just three games and has a touchdown in each.

But that's the problem—Decker has only been effective when he scores. Touchdown-based production is a horrible way to live in fantasy. With weapons such as Welker, Julius Thomas and Demaryius Thomas, Decker has been of little value to owners in a spread-it-around offense.

That changes a bit with Welker potentially out of the picture. Decker should see a slight uptick in work, but to expect a major day is like playing the fantasy lottery.

Peyton Manning clearly doesn't care who produces and who doesn't in his offense—and if he did, Decker surely isn't on his fantasy team.

Decker's next three games come against defenses currently ranked No. 12 or better against the pass, and he's not the main target. He is at best a low-end No. 2 receiver in standard leagues.

Note: All scoring info based on ESPN standard leagues.