Week 12 Waiver Wire: Viable Replacements for Injured Running Backs

Nothing derails a fantasy team quite like an injured running back. They are great sources of points, and their production is not easily replaced.

There are two ways you can deal with an injured running back. The first is to drown your sorrows in beer and/or chocolate milk. The other thing you can do is sit down at your computer and pick up your injured star's backup.

Of the two, I recommend the second option. In Week 12, that means you need to target one or more of the guys listed below.

Donald Brown, Indianapolis Colts

The latest on Joseph Addai (per CBSSports.com) is that it's possible that he could return from an injured hamstring in Week 12. Meanwhile, rookie Delone Carter was benched for fumbling the football in the first quarter back in Week 10.

If Addai is still hurt and Jim Caldwell opts to keep Carter on the bench, it will be up to Donald Brown to move the football on the ground. This is something he's done well in recent weeks, so you can trust him to produce at least a few points if you pick him up.

Brown won't rack up too many yards, mind you, but you might get a cheap touchdown if you're lucky.

Toby Gerhart, Minnesota Vikings

On Monday, Pro Football Talk reported via Twitter that Adrian Peterson is likely to miss at least one game with a high left ankle sprain.

Regardless, Peterson is definitely going to be out in Week 12, and that means the rock will pass to Toby Gerhart, the second-year running back out of Stanford. He's been used sparingly in his time with the Vikings, but he's a giant of a man who can truck defenders with the best of them.

Don't expect the Vikings to use Gerhart any longer than they have to, but don't be surprised if he puts up good numbers on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers

Per Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy is "less certain" about James Starks playing on Thursday than he was before. Starks has a sprained knee, and the short week is not helping his playing status.

If Starks can't go, Ryan Grant will be the next man up. He rushed for over 1,200 yards in back-to-back seasons in 2008 and 2009, but he's been relegated to part-time duty in 2011. I wouldn't get your hopes up too high for Grant seeing as how the Packers have Aaron Rodgers to rely on, but just about every player on Green Bay's offense is worth starting.

Until further notice, that means Grant is worth starting.

Joe McKnight, New York Jets

The word from The Star-Ledger is that LaDainian Tomlinson is still sitting out of practice with a knee injury, but the good news for the Jets is that Shonn Greene was able to practice with injured ribs.

Even if these two are good to go in Week 12, I wonder if the Jets are better off going with Joe McKnight anyway. He lost a fumble last Thursday against the Denver Broncos, but he also racked up 121 total yards and was generally kept very busy in the Jets' offense.

At this point, the best thing the Jets can do at running back is play the hot hand, regardless of who's healthy. If that means playing McKnight over LT and Greene, so be it.

I trust the Jets will be able to figure this out on their own.

Kevin Smith, Detroit Lions

I would be very surprised if we saw Jahvid Best back out on the field any time soon. We certainly won't see him play against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, anyway.

Thankfully for the Lions, they found out on Sunday that they can rely on Kevin Smith. He exploded for 201 total yards and three touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers, piling up fantasy points that few owners were able to take advantage of.

Don't make the mistake of thinking Smith is going to do what he did on Sunday ever again. However, you can rest assured the Lions feel much more comfortable about giving him the ball now than they did before.

C.J. Spiller, Buffalo Bills

Fred Jackson has been a godsend for fantasy owners this season, but BuffaloBills.com reported on Monday that a leg bruise may keep him out of action against the New York Jets on Sunday.

If so, C.J. Spiller will get a chance to shine. My guess is that he's already owned in your league, but he's worth pouncing on if he's not. If you're the optimistic sort, you have to figure it's just a matter of time before Spiller, the No. 9 overall pick in 2010, breaks out.

Cross your fingers.