Hines Ward Injury: Updates on Steelers Star's Week 9 Status and Fantasy Value

The Pittsburgh Steelers have no shortage of wide receiver talent running around on the field.

The one player who has been doing it the longest, Hines Ward, wasn't available for the big win yesterday over the New England Patriots.

He was injured in the victory over the Arizona Cardinals and watched from the sideline as Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders ran wild on the New England defense.

UPDATE: Sunday, Nov. 6 at 12:55 p.m. EDT - Alex Kay

Hines Ward is going to be playing today in limited capacity according to Dov Kleiman.

Even though Hines will be active against the worst passing defense in the league, he isn't worth a play in fantasy. Antonio Brown has emerged as a true threat and Ben Roethlisberger will look his way much more than Ward, especially with the injury limiting his ability.

UPDATE: Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 1:25 p.m. EDT

Scott Brown over at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has some great news for Hines Ward fans and fantasy owners. He tweeted, 

This is going to limit the fantasy viability of Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders this week against the Baltimore Ravens. Ward is an excellent blocker despite now being the fourth-best receiver on the team. Sanders also has a knee injury that will limit him.

The 14-year veteran has only 26 catches on the season and could become even more of a risk to play in fantasy the way this team is evolving without him.

Mike Wallace is the Steelers' top receiver, but it is Antonio Brown who is the most targeted receiver on the team.

Emmanuel Sanders, who was given the start over Brown, has only four fewer targets than the veteran receiver.

Ward was seen on the sideline excited about everything going on on the field, but he likely knows that his run as the Steelers' go-to receiver.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has two new top targets in Wallace and Brown.

Ward has the potential to explode on any given week like he did against the Tennessee Titans, but it is the three younger receivers who have more to offer this team right now.

The Steelers certainly owe Hines Ward their respect in this situation, but it is without question that this team is moving forward without him.

Don't count on him as a fantasy play this season.