Fantasy Football: Dallas Clark, Austin Collie Injured; 5 Ways to Fix Your Team

Any owner with Dallas Clark and/or Austin Collie received a major blow to his or her team this afternoon.

With the news that Collie has undergone hand surgery and will be out for two to six weeks, owners that found a legitimate WR2 on the waiver wire at the inception of the season will have to search for another option.

For those that burned an early round pick on the elite tight end, Clark is suffering from a very rare wrist injury that is very uncommon (according to Colts president Bill Polian) and is out of action indefinitely.

While neither should be dropped just yet in standard fantasy leagues, here are five ways to band-aid your injured squad.

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5. Jabar Gaffney, WR Denver Broncos

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 12: Jabar Gaffney #10 of the Denver Broncos practices prior to the NFL season opener game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on September 12, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Image

Despite much of the attention being on Gaffney's teammate Brandon Lloyd, the former has really established himself as a legitimate weapon at the position this season.

With at least five receptions and 50-plus yards in every week since Week 3, Gaffney has played his way onto the fantasy radar and remains readily available in far too many standard leagues.

With the news that Collie will be out for at least the next couple of contests, owners could do a lot worse than Gaffney and could even wind up receiving a benefit by rostering him on the squad.

4. Benjamin Watson, TE Cleveland Browns

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PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 17: Benjamin Watson #82 of the Cleveland Browns attempts to go up and over Ryan Clark #25 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on October 17, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Ima

Outside of RB Peyton Hillis, Watson has been the Browns' best fantasy player and has elevated himself to borderline TE1 status.

After coming off a 14-point effort, Watson is the only guy that rookie QB Colt McCoy can trust—literally. With injuries to both starting wide receivers following devastating hits from Steelers LB James Harrison, Watson is sure to see all of the targets he can handle this week.

With the Browns scheduled to take on the Saints, owners could do far worse, as New Orleans has allowed the eighth most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.

3. Kellen Winslow, TE Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 10: Kellen Winslow #82 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Some owners have dumped him out of frustration, but one man's trash is another man's treasure.

Despite failing to reach the end zone thus far this season, Winslow has reeled in 13 balls over the last two games and is beginning to see his role increase.

With the Bucs' lack of a ground game, it will be imperative to any future success the team has to get the big TE involved in the offense early and often.

Taking on the Rams this week, Winslow will look to use his size to take advantage of any defensive back that tries to cover him and his speed to move past any linebacker assigned to him.

While he's certainly not Dallas Clark, his talent is very real, and his potential for production is incredibly high.

2. Steve Johnson, WR Buffalo Bills

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 10: Steve Johnson #13 of the Buffalo Bills runs the sideline against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. The Jaguars won 36-26 (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Johnson may not be a household name, but he has four touchdowns in his last three contests.

It appears that there has been no bigger beneficiary from QB Ryan Fitzpatrick taking over at the helm than Johnson. Since Fitzpatrick's insertion into the starting lineup, Johnson has been Buffalo's most productive skill player.

In fact, he's the only player in Buffalo even worth consideration for fantasy purposes.

While he has a very unfavorable matchup against a tough Baltimore defense this week, if Deion Branch can shred that secondary for almost 100 yards and a TD, Johnson should remain productive enough to be warranted for a starting spot.

1. Davone Bess, WR Miami Dolphins

Marc Serota/Getty Images

MIAMI - OCTOBER 04: Receiver Davone Bess #15 of the Miami Dolphins scores a touchdown against James Sanders #36 and Devin McCorty #32 of the New England Patriots at Sun Life Stadium on October 4, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Image

WR Brian Hartline may start opposite Brandon Marshall, but Davone Bess is the real second option in this passing game.

An excellent possession receiver out of the slot, Bess has seen his role grow considerably since joining the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent out of Hawaii last season.

With two touchdowns in his last two games, Bess has become somewhat of a silent killer in fantasy circles and is beginning to gain the notoriety that is long overdue.

While he has a couple of very tough outings against Pittsburgh and Baltimore on the upcoming schedule, Bess will be fantasy gold by the time the fantasy football playoffs roll around with games against Buffalo and Detroit in Weeks 15 and 16.

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