Santana Moss Injury: What Is Fantasy Effect on John Beck, Ryan Torain?

According to a ProFootballTalk.com report, the Washington Redskins will be without their star wide receiver Santana Moss for three weeks due to a hand injury suffered in their Week 7 loss to the Carolina Panthers. 

The official Redskins Twitter account stated Moss will not return for five to seven weeks. 

This is a major blow to a team that has lost two straight games after starting the year 3-1. 

Jabar Gaffney has filled in well as the team's No. 2 aerial option, but as the report points out, no other wideout has more than 60 yards receiving this season. 

John was never considered a great fantasy quarterback, but when he was named the starter by Mike Shanahan he at least warranted an add as a backup. 

Actually, Beck puts up respectable fantasy numbers. 

He threw for 279 yards against the Panthers and added on his second rushing touchdown in as many weeks along with a passing touchdown. 

It's very likely that he'll start against the Bills in Toronto this week. 

Without Santana Moss, the team's most targeted receiver, any fantasy value Beck had is just about gone. 

Sure, guys will be asked to step in to fill the void left by Moss, but none of their backups are proven commodities, which means there's too much risk with Beck until No. 89 returns. 

As for Ryan Torain, the injury to Moss helps, as he'll be called upon to shoulder more of the offensive load on the ground, but Tim Hightower's ACL tear is what really boosts Torain's fantasy stock. 

It's a tough break for Hightower who acclimated himself to the Redskins zone blocking scheme and provided a good spark when Torain was injured early in the season.

Now, Mike Shanahan doesn't have the luxury of going with the running back with the "hot-hand." Torain is the unquestioned feature back in Washington and should only lose a handful of carries a game to rookie Roy Helu Jr.

He plays the Bills 30th ranked rush defense this week and could be in for a season-high in touches. 

Torain is a must-start every week from here on out with the recent unfortunate events.