Hines Ward Injury: Last Minute Fantasy Fixes for Steelers WR

The injury bug continues to be a pest for wide receivers and the fantasy owners that depend on them every week. Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward is the latest addition to that list as he has been declared out for Week 8 against the New England Patriots. 

Even though Ward was not having a banner year—26 receptions, 258 yards and two touchdowns—he was getting better in the last three weeks with half of his catches and both touchdowns coming within that span.

Fantasy owners are left scrambling trying to figure out who they can pick up in order to make up for Ward's absence. 

Here are three names to keep in mind as you scour the waiver wire:

Jabar Gaffney, Washington Redskins

Picking up any Redskins receiver is a risky proposition thanks to their quarterback situation, but John Beck has to complete passes to someone. With Santana Moss out for the next month, Gaffney is going to be the team's No. 1 receiver. 

Gaffney has been a solid producer this season, with at least 60 receiving yards in four of the team's six games.

He does only have one touchdown catch, though that number will surely go up now that he is the featured pass catcher in this offense. 

Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers

If you are looking for a replacement for Hines Ward, why not look to a receiver on his own team?

Antonio Brown had his first 100-yard receiving game of the season last week against the Arizona Cardinals, and he has a favorable matchup against a soft New England pass defense. There are going to be a lot of points scored in this game, as the Steelers are going to have to throw the ball often to keep up. 

Brown is not a red-zone threat for the Steelers, but he is going to have plenty of passes thrown his way between the 20-yard lines. He is a valuable addition in a PPR league, and a solid contributor in standard leagues. 

Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos

Tim Tebow did not have a great 2011 starting debut last week against Miami, despite what Tebow-holics would have you believe. But the one thing that was obvious in that game is that he will be looking to Demaryius Thomas a lot when he drops back. 

Thomas only had three catches for 27 yards against the Dolphins, but he did have a touchdown reception and was targeted 10 times. 

Don't pick up Thomas if you are expecting him to be a No. 2 receiver; but as a one-week replacement, he is a perfectly acceptable player.