Calvin Johnson's Injury Gives New Life to Reggie Bush's Fantasy Football Value

It is difficult to name two more disappointing fantasy football stars this year than Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush.

The two were supposed to propel the Detroit Lions to new heights this year, but instead the defense has done the heavy lifting while Johnson and Bush have battled injuries and downright ineffectiveness, much to the distress of fantasy owners.

Bush is on his way back from an injury, while Johnson sounds as if he will miss Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints—and possibly longer.

Lions coach Jim Caldwell recently told the media that a "miracle" would allow Megatron to suit up for the heavyweight NFC bout. 

"I've been surprised before because he's an unusual guy," Caldwell said, per Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. "And just talking to him [Thursday] after practice, he's feeling good and coming along, so miracles have happened."

Remember, this comes on the heels of rumblings that Johnson could miss the team's next two games and remain out through the bye week.

As far as the short term goes, Bush is in for a major bump in fantasy relevancy. Owners are right to be skeptical, though, as his output this year has been discouraging, to say the least:

WK	OPP	ATT	YDS	TD	PTS
1	NYG	9	15	0	5
2	@Car	6	26	0	2
3	GB	12	61	1	15
4	@NYJ	12	46	0	5
5	Buf	6	13	0	4
6	@Min	0	0	0	0

But we are talking about a back who has a minimum of 986 rushing yards and a 4.3 per-carry average in each of his past three seasons prior to 2014. A guy who has a minimum of 40 catches in six of his eight years as a pro entering this season.

Surely that production and usage trends will continue, and what better time than the present with the team's best player on the shelf?

Or, on a more personal note for those owners who put stock into such a thing, what better time than against Bush's former team?

That former team allows the 23rd-most points to backs this season, as even Atlanta's plodding Steven Jackson looked great with 12 totes for 52 yards, while Cleveland's Terrance West found 58 yards and a score.

Marc Serota/Associated Press

One has to think that the team will look to pound the rock plenty against the Saints to keep Drew Brees off the field. With that in mind, though, it is important to note that Joique Bell has looked great in an increased role with Bush out of the picture, most recently rolling for 74 yards and a touchdown against Minnesota.

But there is certainly room for two in the backfield with Johnson out of the picture. Bush will be used to help stretch defenses underneath in the passing game, and as most are surely aware as one of the main reasons they acquired him in the first place, Bush simply needs his hands on the ball to produce—the delivery method is secondary to the production itself.

This next part cannot be stressed enough—buy low on Bush if at all possible.

Not only will he have a critical role against his former team, if Johnson truly does remain sidelined until after the bye, that sets him up with a date against Atlanta in Week 8.

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

Atlanta, the absolute worst team in the NFL against backs this season. Atlanta, the team that has managed to give up outbursts of 28, 34, 37 and 41 points this season to running backs.

Any way sliced, Bush is a superb value and high-upside RB2 with Johnson on the sideline. Owners might just get two consecutive weeks of superb production out of him, as long as he can stay on the field.

A marriage of increased opportunity and great matchups has aligned at the right time for Bush. It is the job of owners everywhere to capitalize.

All scoring info courtesy of ESPN standard leagues, as is points-against info and ownership stats. Statistics courtesy of ESPN. Philadelphia, Tampa Bay on bye.