Fantasy Football Week 8: Buying or Selling Top Injured Players

Quarterback

Kirk Cousins is losing his starting gig to Colt McCoy. Any quarterback controversy in Washington is officially dead—when Robert Griffin III returns, he's the clear starter. In other words, if you've been holding on to him for this long, do not bail now!

It remains to be seen how well RG3 will play upon his return, but if nothing else, keeping him around will give you one of the best QB2 options in your league. 

Running Backs

A few running backs should be returning in the coming weeks, which will leave owners with some interesting fantasy decisions.

Of course, some decisions will be easier than others. Keeping Rashad Jennings on your squad is a no-brainer after Andre Williams underwhelmed in two games as the starter, rushing for just 110 yards on 35 carries and offering the team absolutely nothing in the passing game. Jennings' job is safe. 

What about players like Ryan Mathews or Montee Ball, however? Both Branden Oliver and Ronnie Hillman have been excellent in relief duty. I'm more inclined to buy on Mathews, as the Chargers like to use more than one back and Oliver would be excellent in the Danny Woodhead role. I think Mathews will retain his RB2 status when he returns. 

I'm a bit more worried about Ball, however, as Hillman has simply looked like a better fit for this offense. When Ball left, he was the main man in this backfield. Now, I'm worried he'll be returning to a timeshare. I don't think you should be cutting Ball from your team, no, but I wouldn't begrudge you for trying to trade him either.

Don't sell on Fred Jackson just yet. We don't know when he'll be back in action, but we do have a pretty good idea that he'll be a workhorse for Buffalo when he does return with C.J. Spiller more than likely shelved for the rest of the season.

I'm less inclined to buy on Reggie Bush. I simply think Joique Bell is the better player at this point and the guy more likely to get the bigger portion of touches in Detroit's offense. I don't love any players in this offense outside of Golden Tate—until Calvin Johnson returns, of course.

Wide Receivers

Al Behrman/Associated Press

I'm buying on A.J. Green and the aforementioned Megatron. Have you seen these guys play before? At 75 percent, they're better than 90 percent of the league's receivers. I'm less inclined to worry about Green, who has already produced this season with his toe injury. He acknowledged as much, per Kevin Patra of NFL.com:

"

Speaking on NFL Network's NFL AM on Tuesday, the wideout corroborated that he's getting better, but his status for this week is still unknown.

'It's still up in the air,' Green said. 'But it definitely feels better. We'll see about this week.'

Green admitted he probably wouldn't be fully healthy the rest of this year.

'It's probably not gonna be 100 percent, but I hope it's just manageable,' Green said. 'I can get through the season and be fine and still play at a high level.'

"

Megatron is a bit more of a worry, but if he can get anywhere close to being healthy, he'll explode.

I'm selling on Reggie Wayne, likely with or without an injury. He's averaging just 6.4 fantasy points per game and has hit double digits in points just once. This passing offense is now reliant on T.Y. Hilton, the tight ends and Ahmad Bradshaw slipping out of the backfield. Wayne's days as a must-start player are over.

Tight Ends

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

You ride or die with Jimmy Graham. It's really that simple (though not that dire). Graham battled knocks for all of last season and still posted historic numbers. He seemed to escape Week 7's clash without worsening any injuries and another week to rest and recuperate should do him wonders.

I'm not just buying him this week in a likely shootout with Green Bay, I'm buying him to return to his status as one of the top weapons in football. Give up on him at your own risk.

Vernon Davis is playing, but it's pretty clear he's playing hurt. Hopefully, the bye week will do wonders for him. If Davis returns from the bye and continues to struggle, then I'll advise cutting him loose or looking to trade him. Until then, you have to stick it out with a player who has top-five potential at his position. 

All point totals and points-against statistics via ESPN standard-scoring leagues. Hit me up on Twitter—I'll answer your fantasy questions and make some corny jokes, too. It's more fun than trying to keep a straight face while offering Percy Harvin for Julius Thomas in a trade.