Jamaal Charles Injury: 3 Fantasy Waiver Wire Replacements for the Chiefs Star

If you are an NFL fantasy football owner that has the Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles on your team, it’s time to start panicking.

Charles was carted out of Sunday's game when he came down awkwardly on the Lions sideline after a run, and no news regarding the situation has been good.

Reports are stating that Charles will miss the rest of the 2011 season. For a back that racked up nearly 1,500 rushing yards last year, that is horrible news for him and his team.

It’s also terrifying news for fantasy football owners, seeing as—if he is on your roster—the chances are you took him in the first round.

ESPN reports more on the injury:

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Kansas City running back Jamaal Charles will likely miss the rest of the 2011 season after an initial diagnosis revealed a torn ACL in his left knee following the Chiefs' 48-3 loss Sunday, a source familiar with the situation told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

The source said Charles will have an MRI on Monday to confirm the diagnosis, but the team believes the Pro Bowl running back will not return this year.

Coach Todd Haley said after the game the team was still awaiting a definitive word on his status.

'We'll probably know a lot more on him here in the next 12 hours or so,' Haley said.

"

This news is obviously devastating for more than one reason, but let’s focus on the fantasy aspect.

The chances are you have a running back that can fill in for Charles, but there is no way that you can replicate his production. Unless you make a trade or are an incredible drafter, you will have to look to the waiver wire to sort this mess out.

Here are three players that I would suggest taking a look at and picking up if available.

Darren Sproles, RB, New Orleans Saints

Believe it or not, Sproles is probably still available in most leagues.

He is not the running threat that he once was, but if you are in a PPR league, he is a must have.

The Saints and Drew Brees are going to go to him a lot out of the backfield, and he can make a lot of people miss in open space. Sproles can get you a lot of points as a pass catcher. 

John Kuhn, FB, Green Bay Packers

Kuhn is actually a pretty good pickup, considering the fact that he is a fullback for the Packers.

They go to him religiously down at the goal line and he’s bound to punch in a bunch more before the year is out. 

Steve Slaton, RB, Houston Texans

With Arian Foster having yet another episode with his hamstring, Slaton may be forced into seeing a bit more action.

He may just be a temporary fix, but I think he’ll be good for a start or two.