Week 10 Start Em Sit Em: DeMarco Murray and Emerging Stars Who Will Be Undercut

Health is a precious thing in the NFL, though the return of star players to a team's lineup can have interestingly unintended consequences in the wild and wacky world of fantasy football.

For those of you who've been active on the waiver wire, picking up and dropping backups of late, be sure to pay close attention to the injury report, which may not be so kind to these fill-ins in Week 10.

DeMarco Murray, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Felix Jones hasn't practiced in more than a week-and-a-half, but may yet find his way onto the field on Sunday against the Bills. If Jones plays, he won't likely consume all or even most of DeMarco Murray's carries, though he will still siphon off some of the rookie's fantasy productivity.

Even if Jones plays, Murray is still a solid fantasy play this week, as he'll have the privilege of running against a Bills defense that's surrendered 120.8 rushing yards per game and 10 touchdowns on the ground this season.

Brandon Jacobs, RB, New York Giants

Brandon Jacobs isn't exactly a new or "surprising" name in the NFL or the fantasy football world, but he is one to keep an eye on.

The big fella was pleasantly productive in Ahmad Bradshaw's place against the Patriots, piling up 100 total yards and a touchdown in the Giants' 24-20 victory.

Unfortunately for those of you who added Jacobs to your roster, he may not have that same opportunity this weekend against the 49ers, as Bradshaw may well be back in time to resume his previous role.

And even if he's not, the Niners' defense has been anything but friendly to opposing running backs this season, even (and perhaps especially) ones as monstrously massive as Jacobs.

Victor Cruz, WR, New York Giants

The improving health of the Giants' offense also figures to affect the fantasy productivity of Victor Cruz. The speedster from UMass has been a pleasant surprise this season, with four touchdowns and five games with at least 90 yards receiving amidst a myriad of injuries to Big Blue's receiving corps.

Hakeem Nicks, the receiver for whom Cruz has most often substituted, is expected back on Sunday after nursing a sore hamstring that forced him out of last week's win over the Pats. Cruz should still be worse than New York's third receiver though, and the sensitivity of hamstring injuries among wide receivers leaves Nicks vulnerable to further absence.

Hence, don't drop Cruz just yet, unless you really need to clear room on your roster.