Fantasy Football Week 8 Waiver Wire: Roy Helu and Replacements for Injured RBs

Week 7 was a bad week for NFL running backs, as an unusually high number of them went down with injuries. Any and all running backs who made it out of Week 7 without an injury should consider themselves lucky.

The same goes for their fantasy owners. There are a lot of owners who lost a running back (or two) to an injury, and they probably went on to lose as a result.

These owners have plenty of work to do. If you have an injured running back you need to replace, you need to see if you can't pick up one or more of the guys listed below.

Ryan Torain, Washington Redskins

Per the Washington Post, it was revealed on Monday that Redskins leading rusher Tim Hightower is out for the season with a torn ACL.

With Hightower out, Ryan Torain promises to get plenty of work in Washington's offense. His ownership percentage got a spike after he torched the St. Louis Rams a couple weeks ago, but he might just be available in your league after posting -5 yards on two carries in Week 7.

Hopefully, Torain will remember how to run forward in the coming weeks.

Roy Helu, Washington Redskins

If you don't want to trust Torain to turn it around, you can go for Roy Helu. Touches for him have been few and far between in the last couple of weeks, but Mike Shanahan has spoken Helu's praises in the past. Maybe Helu is his ace in the hole.

Truth be told, though, you never know what Shanahan is thinking when it comes to his running backs. Pick up Torain and/or Helu at your own peril.

Michael Bush, Oakland Raiders

The good news for the Raiders is that star running back Darren McFadden has a mere foot sprain. In addition, he'll have an extra week to heal thanks to Oakland's Week 8 bye.

However, the word from the USA Today is that Hue Jackson does not have a timetable for McFadden's recovery, which you have to take as an indication that the team is going to proceed with extreme caution.

Thankfully, Michael Bush is a pretty capable backup. He had 99 yards rushing against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, and he will face a soft Denver Broncos defense when the Raiders return in Week 9.

Be warned that McFadden could be back sooner rather than later, but Bush is a good contingency plan for the time being.

Alfonso Smith, Arizona Cardinals

Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic passed along word on Monday that Beanie Wells will not have to have surgery on his ailing right knee, but it sounds like he is iffy for Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens.

If Wells can't go, Alfonso Smith will likely take over as Arizona's starting running back. You'll definitely be rolling the dice if you pick him up, but you're certainly free to go get him if you're desperate enough.

Just know that Smith has gained just 89 yards on 25 carries this year.

Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints

Saints rookie running back Mark Ingram left Sunday night's game with a bruised heel, but the word from Pro Football Talk is that he is day-to-day. 

Nevertheless, PFT says there's a "chance" Ingram will have to take a seat for Sunday's game against the St. Louis Rams. Odds are Darren Sproles can't be had on the waiver wire in your league, but you should be able to get Pierre Thomas. Don't be surprised if he does the heavy lifting if Ingram misses the game.

By the way, the Rams are allowing over 180 rushing yards per game. Take that as an invitation to start any Saints running back. Even if they decide to use your humble narrator.

Delone Carter, Indianapolis Colts

Joseph Addai had to leave Sunday night's game against the Saints with a nagging hamstring issue, and you obviously have to have your doubts about his status going forward.

On the bright side, Colts rookie running back Delone Carter had his best game yet against the Saints, rushing for 89 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. If Addai has to miss time, expect Carter to get the bulk of the carries for Indy.