Week 8 Waiver Wire: Get Em or Don't Sweat Em?

Plaxico Burress went out in Week 7 and reminded us that he can still play football.

The only question now is, do you trust him enough to do it again?

This a problem plaguing a number of players on the waiver wire this week.

LaRod Stephens-Howling?

Michael Jenkins?

Antonio Brown?

It doesn't end there, either.

As we get set for one more night of football, here are the waiver wire decisions you should and shouldn't worry about.

LaRod Stephens-Howling, RB, Cardinals

LaRod Stephens-Howling has always been a big play threat.

Every once in a while, we'll see his name scroll across the bottom line, as he either took a screen pass or kickoff to the house. 

The problem: consistency.

He has six career touchdowns (three returns, two receiving and one rushing), and there is no telling when he'll breakout again.

Even if Beanie Wells is out, Alfonso Smith will see consistent carries over Stephens-Howling.

Verdict: Don't Sweat Em

Michael Jenkins, WR, Vikings

Michael Jenkins did majority of his damage yardage-wise on rookie quarterback Christian Ponder's first pass, but there is more to be said than that.

Jenkins leads the Vikings with 27 catches, 336 yards and three touchdowns for the season.

Although Percy Harvin is a superior talent, the Vikings, and more specifically Ponder, will get the most out of Jenkins.

He's an experienced player who knows how to get open and should be a reliable possession target for a young quarterback.

If Adrian Peterson continues to dominate defenses, things are bound to open up even more in the secondary.

Jenkins will see consistent targets.

Verdict: Get Em

DeMarco Murray, RB, Cowboys

Seeing isn't believing; believing is seeing.

And believe me when I say that the Dallas Cowboys are best-suited as a running back by committee.

A big part of that committee is going to be rookie running back DeMarco Murray (as long as he can stay healthy).

Much of the same goes for starter Felix Jones (who can't stay healthy). Hopefully, the two of them can work as cohesive unit and spare each from taking a beating.

The best part about Murray is that he has hands like a receiver.

If the Cowboys want to win football games, they'll need their best players on the field as often as possible. Murray will quickly prove he belongs.

Verdict: Get Em

Plaxico Burress, WR, Jets

Four catches, 25 yards and three touchdowns.

This performance is one of the more intriguing in all the league.

Burress will always be a great red zone target, but will he always get this many opportunities?

This is only the second three-touchdown day in his career, and he caught all of them from five yards or less.

He's still being targeted often by Mark Sanchez, but he's catching less than 50 percent of those opportunities.

It is not Burress' or Sanchez's fault explicitly, but it is a combination of both.

This duo cannot be trusted

The Jets are also on a bye week, and there are other players that can help immediately instead.

Verdict: Don't Sweat Em

Montario Hardesty, RB, Browns

The Cleveland Browns haven't been running the ball well all year and would explain why Montario Hardesty is still available in over 60 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

That will change this week, and if you are in need of a running back, you should be involved too.

Even when Peyton Hillis returns, Hardesty will get touches, if not more touches than the Madden-cursed star.

Hillis' injury issues are a concern, and the Browns can also implement a two-running back set when he's healthy.

He's not a guaranteed home run hitter for points, but he'll get his touches.

Verdict: Get Em

Ben Tate, RB, Texans

Every time Ben Tate is given the opportunity to make plays, he delivers.

Unfortunately, when Andre Johnson returns to the field, those touches will diminish.

Arian Foster is still this team's go-to back, and that will not change.

The two backs carried the ball a combined 40 times yesterday, and they both went over 100 yards.

Foster, though, as he tends to do, made a huge impact out of the backfield.

Tate has talent, but the Texans are going to ride with Foster as often as possible, and there won't be many other games where they carry a 20-plus lead the entire game.

Verdict: Don't Sweat Em

Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers

Veteran wide receiver Hines Ward left the Steelers' Week 7 game, and Antonio Brown took advantage of the additional opportunity.

Emmanuel Sanders may have replaced the veteran in the lineup, but it was Brown who burst out with added reps.

The playmaking receiver is coming on at just the right time, as Ben Roethlisberger finally looks like he's settled in this season.

The Steelers will host New England next week, and Brown should see more favorable opportunities against a secondary that has trouble with speed.

Verdict: Get Em