Fred Jackson Injury: 5 Fantasy Replacements for Fast Freddy

Forget the fact that the loss of Fred Jackson for the season will destroy the Buffalo Bills' playoff hopes.

All us fantasy football fanatics who have depended on him all season long are only wondering: what the heck do we do now?

Well, fortunately for you, we here at Bleacher Report have you covered.

Now, keep in mind these are waiver-wire additions, meaning you can't expect to find another Fred Jackson anytime soon.

However, these pickups will still keep you in contention, and as the game of football has proven, anything can happen when the playoff come around.

Here are five fantasy replacements for "Fast Freddy" to assist you down the stretch.

5. Roy Helu, Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins offense isn't as bad now with quarterback Rex Grossman under center instead of the deplorable John Beck.

In fact, the Redskins scored 24 points against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 11.

Ryan Torain is still the starter on this team, but, like Beck, head coach Mike Shanahan will soon realize he's starting the wrong guy.

Roy Helu, a rookie out of Nebraska, has made the most of his opportunities this season, rushing for 248 yards on 51 carries (4.9 yards per carry) and adding 213 receiving yards.

When given the chance, Torain can rack up fantasy points, evidenced by his 12-point performance against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 9.

Right now, he's still on a leash, but soon Coach Shanahan will have no choice but to set him free.

4. Dexter McCluster, Kansas City Chiefs

It's hard to advise starting anyone on the Kansas City Chiefs now, given they've been underwhelming across the board.

But the fact of the matter is Dexter McCluster has shown some upside in recent weeks with Jamaal Charles lost for the season.

After averaging 3.9 yards per carry in his rookie season, McCluster is averaging 4.6 yards per carry this year and he's also shown he can be a receiving threat, with six catches for 45 yards against the Denver Broncos in Week 10.

My prediction is that Jackie Battle will be overtaken by McCluster down the stretch.

3. C.J. Spiller, Buffalo Bills

With Fred Jackson now lost for the season, we finally get the opportunity to see what C.J. Spiller can do in his second year in the NFL.

Spiller, who was drafted No. 9 overall in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Bills, hasn't gotten many opportunities behind Jackson, but he's slated as the starter against the New York Jets in Week 12.

We really don't know what Spiller can do yet in the league, but he's worth a shot if you're short-handed. Plus, you never know—he could start realizing his potential in his second season.

2. Kevin Smith, Detroit Lions

If Kevin Smith completes his comeback story this season, it will be one of the great stories in the NFL.

Smith, who has battled through injuries throughout his four-year career, was given the opportunity to start for the Detroit Lions in Week 11 with starter Jahvid Best out with a concussion.

All he did was rack up over 200 total yards and three total touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers, earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.

Best will probably be back in action in a couple weeks, which will stunt Smith's value a bit, but it's hard to ignore a player who scored nearly 40 fantasy points in only his second game back from exile.

Keep in mind, Smith is still only 24 years old and his first two seasons in the NFL were impressive.

1. Chris Ogbonnaya, Cleveland Browns

If anyone can think of a pun using this guy's last name, I'll give you a "like" in the comments section below.

Chris Ogbonnaya, a seventh-round pick from '09, has made the most of his opportunities with Peyton Hillis M.I.A. and Montario Hardesty nursing a calf injury.

In Week 10, Ogbonnaya rushed for 90 yards on 19 carries and caught two balls for 19 yards. In Week 11, he rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries and had two catches for 19 yards.

Hardesty may start in Week 12 if he's able to go, per head coach Pat Shurmur, but it's not like he's done much this season.

Ogbonnaya has proven to be the more productive player and should still be a solid fantasy player even with the return of Hardesty.

Now, about that pun...