Hurting For Heroes: Fantasy Football Injuries & Replacements For Week 4

A few key injuries will have owners scrambling for replacements this week... hell every week actually. Its just the nature of the game. If there wasn't injuries how would players like Brandon Jackson ever get a shot? Here's a few options to fill the void for Ray Rice, Steven Jackson, Jason Witten & Steve Breaston.

Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

CINCINNATI - SEPTEMBER 19: Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens carries the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on September 19, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals beat the Ravens 15-10. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Mr. Rice’s knee has a significant contusion.  And thus the curse of the running backs continue.

Rice’s status for Sunday’s game against the Steel Curtain is still up in the air.  The Rutgers running back’s tenuous status coupled with the Steelers suffocating run defense equals doom…or so it seems.  
Wise owners will pick up touchdown maven from day yore Willis McGahee. 

See more options with the next slide...

Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 26: Steven Jackson #39 of the St. Louis Rams scores a touchdown against LaRon Landry #30 of the Washington Redskins at the Edward Jones Dome on September 26, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the Redskins 30-16. (Photo by

Yes, it continues.  Another first round running back lingering on the fringe of the training room’s skid row. 

Jackson is famous for two things: causing owners to continually fear for their fantasy life because of injuries; and playing through his injuries like a beast. 

Last week Michael Turner proved that groin injuries aren’t always debilitating.  Rams doctors say Jackson’s injury is only a slight tear and not a major one.  However, like Rice, Jackson didn’t practice today. 

Jackson’s backup Kenneth Darby entered the game and scored a touchdown, but his per carry average wasn’t anything special.  Pick up Darby if you can, but also be on the lookout for C.J. Spiller (whom many owners dropped up until this week), Justin Forsett, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

Jason Witten, TE, Dallas Cowboys

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 19: Tight end Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on September 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Cowboys say Witten’s injury is an MCL sprain and that his x-rays came back negative. 

True, the Cowboys have a by next week.  Also true: Witten’s production has been downright abject.  
Peruse the waiver wire for the Jets’ Dustin Keller, the Lions’ Brandon Pettigrew, or the Bears’ Greg Olsen.

Steve Breaston, WR, Arizona Cardinals

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 02: Wide receiver Steve Breaston #15 of the Arizona Cardinals stands on the sidelines during the preseason NFL game against the Washington Redskins at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona.

Maybe the fantasy gods are striking back at Breaston for scoring nearly as many points this season as honey-handed teammate Larry Fitzgerald.  Maybe not.  Either way, Breaston will be out until week 7 (according to Espn.com).  This leaves owners searching for a flex WR to fill the hole that Breaston left. 

If you are looking for 6-8 points a week, consider St. Louis wideout Danny Amendola.  Amendola hasn’t scored a touchdown yet this season, but he is becoming Sam Bradford’s favorite third-down receivers.  Amendola has 16 catches, which increases his value in PPR leagues. 

Many fantasy owners kicked Demaryius Thomas to the curb last week after a poor performance and an apparent injury.  Broncos coach Josh McDaniels says the injury isn’t serious and Thomas is slated to play Sunday at Indianapolis.  Keep in mind that only Philip Rivers has thrown for more yards this season (1087) than Thomas’ quarterback, Kyle Orton (1078 yards).  A healthy Thomas will get enough looks to make him an interesting option at your flex position.

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Written by James Duren, exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com.

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