Fantasy Football Week 13: Buying or Selling Top Injured Players

Injuries. Uhhh. What are they good for? Absolutely nothing!

OK, OK, so that isn't how the song goes. Whatever. It's how fantasy owners feel when one of their studs goes down due to injury. And often, by the time a player is set to return from an injury, it can be tricky to know whether he's worth starting.

Fear not, my brave fantasy addicts, for I'm here to help you determine just that. Make love, not injuries. Or something like that.
 

Buying

The moment Arian Foster returns from injury, you reinsert him into your lineup, no questions asked. Few players offer more upside on a weekly basis than the Houston Texans star. Just hope he returns this week—he faces a Tennessee Titans defense giving up the most fantasy points to opposing players per week in the NFL.

Julius Thomas is also a must-start when he returns. Tight end is a pretty big mess once you get past the top seven options, so a healthy Orange Julius will be just what your team needs for the playoff push. This advice also applies for Dwayne Allen, who has been one of the more consistent options at the position this season.

Speaking of tight ends, the lack of depth at the position makes the return of Jordan Reed enticing for fantasy owners. The Washington tight end might benefit from having Colt McCoy under center, as the veteran journeyman isn't going to scare anybody with his deep ball. If you don't have a top-five option at the position, consider nabbing Reed if he's available.

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Andre Ellington is a bit beat up, but as long as he suits up against an Atlanta Falcons defense giving up the second-most fantasy points to opposing backs per week, you start him.  

I'm all about Latavius Murray if he plays this week, mostly because I've seen Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew carry the ball, and it's ugly. Murray was electrifying against the Kansas City Chiefs, rushing four times for 112 yards and two touchdowns, and should be given a chance to show he can be the feature back for this team going forward. 

It remains to be seen if he'll be able to play this weekend, of course. SiriusXM NFL Radio offers the following update from Wednesday evening:

Raiders fans and fantasy owners alike are hoping he can give it a go.

Selling

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I'm not sold on Reggie Bush. The Detroit Lions already have Joique Bell in the backfield and are a much better passing team than running team. Or at least they should be with Matt Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate.

Bush's best days are behind him. So too is his fantasy value.

Given the way C.J. Anderson has played, I'm selling on both Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman. Of the two, Hillman seems like the more likely candidate to regain a significant role in Denver's offense, but Anderson sure has looked like the perfect fit for what the team wants to do. 

Ball, on the other hand, has never looked like a great fit. I can see holding onto Hillman, maybe, but ditch Ball if you haven't already.

Jordan Cameron is a tough one. He didn't really produce when he was healthy this season, but having Josh Gordon back in the swing of things might open up a few things for him when Cameron returns.

On the other hand, Cameron hasn't really been great since the first half of last season. Since Week 5 of last season, Cameron has scored eight or more fantasy points just four times. Perhaps the player who exploded at the beginning of last season was a bit of a mirage. 

I'm selling on Larry Fitzgerald with Drew Stanton under center. Heck, I'm selling on Arizona's passing game. You can do better. 

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 a catching drill with Odell Beckham Jr.