Joseph Addai Injury: 5 Wavier Wire Pickups To Replace Colts Star

It's as if there weren't enough problems with the Indianapolis Colts this season.

Down goes Peyton Manning, and then shortly after down goes Joseph Addai. Addai has posted solid numbers this season for the Colts, going for 230 yards and a touchdown through the first four games of the season. To put these numbers perspective, these are better numbers than Tennessee Titans starting RB Chris Johnson.

Now with Addai sidelined with a hamstring injury that he suffered against the Kansas City Chiefs, as fantasy owners are now in a hurry to pick up other running backs on waivers in numerous leagues, most especially the deeper ones.

These are the five best running backs to replace Addai on the fantasy squad.

No. 5: Stevan Ridley, New England Patriots

Rookie running back out of LSU, Stevan Ridley, has been putting on a clinic since head coach Bill Belichick decided to give him some carries.

In his most recent outing in the victory over the Oakland Raiders, the New England Patriots running back went for 97 yards on just 10 carries and managed to score a touchdown. The numbers are impressive, and all the more impressive considering his biggest run of the day was 33 yards.

They might have other backs like Woodhead and Green-Ellis, but there is no question that the team gives him more carries in the coming weeks after his performance at Oakland.

No. 4: Daniel Thomas, Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins rookie running back Daniel Thomas has posted 202 yards in two games after missing the last two games due to injury.

According to ESPN.com, Thomas has announced that he will be ready to for the Week 6 matchup against the New York Jets. Thomas is a guy who will put up big numbers and has the potential to put up major fantasy numbers.

In those two games totaling for 202 yards, Thomas also had 37 yards and a receiving touchdown, making him a threat in the receiving game as well. There is no question Thomas is a guy to pick up if Addai is on the squad.

No. 3: BenJarvus Green-Ellis, New England Patriots

Yes, another New England Patriots running back.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis has put up 197 yards and three touchdowns on the season, still the most efficient Patriots running back when it comes to putting the ball in the end zone.

In some of the deeper leagues, a guy like Green-Ellis may not be available, yet there is certainly a good chance he may be, as the Patriots have several backs that get carries. Woodhead has also emerged big time for the Pats this season, making Green-Ellis that much less of an attractive pickup.

Yet at the end of the day his numbers are better than Addai's, and he is a consistent back that will get a good eight to 10 points a week.

No. 2: Ryan Torrain, Washington Redskins

If he hasn't already been picked up since his return against the St. Louis Rams, fantasy owners must pick up Washington Redskins starting running back Ryan Torrain.

In his first game this season last week, Torrain posted a whopping 135 yards and a touchdown, averaging 7.1 yards per carry. Granted these numbers came against the Rams, one of the weaker defenses in the NFL, it is still more than enough reason to pick him up in any fantasy league.

A healthy Torrain is plenty more productive of a fantasy player than is a healthy Joseph Addai, as one who makes this move may consider keeping Torrain regardless of Addai's status.

No. 1: Delonte Carter, Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts back-up running back Delonte Carter will likely be the running back to get the majority of the carries in the absence of Joseph Addai.

He is also the one running back of these five who is most likely to be available.

With Addai leaving the game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Carter stepped in and carried the ball 12 times for 22 yards and a touchdown. Granted the yards per carry were anything but impressive, it is evident that Carter was the go-to guy for the Colts on Sunday.

Expect Carter to get anywhere from 12-15 carries a game with Addai out of the lineup. He will more than likely split carries with Donald Brown as well.