Week 4 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: 5 Players to Replace Injured Stars

It's been a hard start to the season for many fantasy owners, with plenty of big-name players landing on the bench due to injury.

It started with Peyton Manning and Jamaal Charles, and now the injury bug has claimed the likes of Michael Vick and any worthy fantasy option on the Dallas Cowboys.

Here are five waiver wire pickups that could help injury stricken owners stay competitive regardless of which star they lost.

Curtis Painter

Let me start off by saying I hope you're not relying on Kerry Collins every week to help win you games.

That being said, I know that many of you probably play in two-quarterback leagues (and if you haven't before, you should give it a try) where perhaps Kerry Collins is your bye week fill-in.

I know that's the case for myself in one of my leagues, and I've had to highly consider adding Curtis Painter to my roster based on Collins' awful start to the season and now his concussion.

Painter looked at least to the level of Collins' ability last night, and with the age-old veteran dinged up, the Colts have mentioned there could be a switch at starting QB as early as Week 4.

Kevin Ogletree

As painful as it is to hear for both Dallas fans and Miles Austin fantasy owners, No. 19 isn't walking through that door until at least Week 6 when the Cowboys travel to New England to take on the Patriots.

Kevin Ogletree will be at the very least the Cowboys' second option at wide receiver until then, barring any free agent signings (Terrell Owens still needs a job right?). He could even be the No.1 option tonight against the Washington Redskins if Dez Bryant doesn't suit up.

Whether you own Austin or Bryant or another banged up receiver, it might be smart to grab Ogletree as a rental for a few weeks because Dallas isn't going to stop throwing, and Tony Romo can't throw to Bryant and Jason Witten every time.

Dexter McCluster

Perhaps this slide is a little to late to the party, but here's hoping that your leaguemates picked up Thomas Jones instead of Dexter McCluster to replace Jamaal Charles.

McCluster is simply the better athlete and football player when it comes down to it, and while it may be a timeshare in Kansas City, I could see the younger back take a hold of this job before the end of the season.

In many leagues McCluster also qualifies at wide receiver, which adds to his value because then you can play him at either running back, receiver or even the flex position, which is incredibly helpful.

The Chiefs look to be one of the new entrants into the "Suck for Luck" sweepstakes, so there will be plenty of garbage time for the young running back to earn some valuable fantasy points for his owners.

Eric Decker

His Week 3 numbers may not have wowed you, but seven receptions is still something to be happy about if you're keeping your eye on the Denver Broncos' Eric Decker.

Eddie Royal sat out Sunday with an injury, allowing Decker to see time as the second option for Kyle Orton, and the Denver quarterback did look for him often.

The touchdowns and eye-popping yards weren't there like his Week 2 performance against Cincinnati, but Decker has played well when given a chance for his team.

There should continue to be plenty of targets for this wide receiver regardless of Royal's status next week.

Vince Young

Michael Vick has a right hand contusion, and his status is now day-to-day. 

That leaves head coach Andy Reid with the option of trying out Mike Kafka, or putting in veteran Vince Young who was signed for this specific scenario.

Kafka threw two interceptions in relief of Vick yesterday, and has been inconsistent during his time on the field this year. VY has been recovering from his own injury, but it would make sense that he could be named the starter later this week.

Whoever Reid names his starter, Vick owners should pick up off the free agent pool if there are no better options available.