Fantasy Football Week 7: Buying or Selling Top Injured Players

Injuries in fantasy football are the worst. One injury to a superstar can derail your lineup. It can completely alter your waiver strategy. It can completely put the hashtag #FirstWorldProblems into perspective.

But sometimes injuries are opportunities. Sometimes injuries can test another player's impatience. Sometimes they can affect a player's perceived value enough to help you snag that player for a discount. Sometimes talented but injured players will magically appear on the waiver wire, just waiting to save your season.

Below, we'll take a look at the injured stars you should consider buying and those you should think about selling. Let's get to it.
 

Buying

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Right now, I'm waging a full-on misinformation campaign when it comes to Robert Griffin III. I'm saying things like, "Man, I think Kirk Cousins is really the better fit for Washington's offense" around the Griffin owner in my league. I'll send him texts asking him how he's still rostering the player. Publicly, I'm full Team Cousins.

Why? Because I read things, that's why.

Like this, for example, from Rich Tandler of CSN Washington:

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'I think he’s going to start individual drills this week,' said coach Jay Gruden. 'As far as actually taking practice reps I think that will be at least another week. We’ll get him out there, do some individual drills, throw some balls to balls to the wideouts. That will be the first step. Then next week we’ll try to get him maybe in some practice situations and see where he is.'

Last week Griffin started doing some agility drills and before Sunday’s game in Arizona he was doing what appeared to be full-speed sprints form sideline to sideline.

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Per that report, Griffin could be back in action as soon as Oct. 27. OK, fine, but what about that quarterback controversy that was supposed to be brewing when Griffin was hurt?

Forget about that, folks. Mike Jones of The Washington Post helped to clear up any controversy with one tweet:

I know Griffin struggled early this season, but if you can steal a QB2 with his potential upside—especially in keeper leagues—you should absolutely do it. Go get Griffin now!

There might be a few fantasy owners out there wavering on Calvin Johnson (lingering injuries, disappointing output this season), A.J. Green (likely to miss another week of action) or Jimmy Graham (potentially out for a few weeks). If that's the case, go get those players now while the price is low. 

Come playoff time, you'll be laughing your way straight to the title.

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Finally, Rashad Jennings won't see the field for another two weeks due to his injury and the bye, but when he returns he'll once again be a safe RB2. Andre Williams was steady in a deputizing role before Jennings was injured, but as the full-time starter he went for just 59 yards on 17 carries against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Worse, the Giants think so little of his ability in the passing game that they often used Peyton Hillis in passing situations. That's like putting your bicycle inside when it rains and riding a moped to work instead. Suffice to say, Jennings' job seems pretty darn safe upon his return. If a struggling owner needs help right now, see if you can't pry Jennings away from them on the cheap.

Selling

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I've been holding on to Ryan Mathews in one league, if only because somewhat reliable running backs are hard to come by, no matter how long they are out. But the more I see of Branden Oliver, the less convinced I am that Mathews will be an RB2 upon his return.

Quite frankly, Oliver has been spectacular the past two weeks, with 215 rushing yards and three total touchdowns in that time. Initially, I though Oliver would simply play the Danny Woodhead role alongside of Mathews. Now, I'm starting to wonder if the San Diego Chargers can afford to keep Oliver off the field at all. 

I'm not saying the Chargers are going to ditch Mathews. I just think that, even when he returns, the Chargers are probably going to give Oliver a lot of touches. Maybe half of the touches in the backfield. Maybe more. If Oliver continues to produce, Mathews' hold on the starting spot when he's healthy will start to slip. 

So yes, I'm not against selling on Mathews now. Not in the least.

I'm already pretty much done with Zac Stacy. He just hasn't been impressive this season, compounded by the fact that he's on a poor offense. But now, it appears he's also injured, per Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

Stacy isn't the type of player you should cut. But you might want to trade him while he has any value remaining. 

I think you can potentially cut Toby Gerhart as well. He was always a middle-of-the-road fantasy option, but given how inept Jacksonville's offensive line is—and really, offense in general—he's never going to be a viable starting option this season.

See if you can deal him to a running back-needy team, but don't feel the need to hold on to him yourself.

Hit me up on Twitter—I'll answer your fantasy questions and make some corny jokes, too. It's more fun than math class with Jason Pierre-Paul.