Matt Forte Injury: What It Means for His Fantasy Football Owners

Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte has been more than just the offensive leader of his real-life team—he's probably been one of the top-performing starters on your fantasy roster as well.

Through 13 weeks, Forte notched the most yards from scrimmage of any offensive player (1,487) and was averaging 123.9 yards per game. But now that he's out for two to four weeks with a grade two MCL sprain with the fantasy playoffs about to start, his owners have reason to panic.

However, with a few smart decisions and perhaps a waiver-wire add or two, you might be able to salvage your playoff run and manage to win.

The first order of business is to find an adequate replacement for Forte, which is far easier said than done now that we're heading into Week 14 of the season. If you've been smart, or perhaps just a hoarder, then hopefully you have someone worth giving the starting nod to on your bench.

If not, then it's the waiver wire for you. Your best option would be fellow Bears running back Marion Barber, who is clearly going to get all of Forte's carries and then some as the lead rusher in the team's struggling offense, which can't rely on the passing game now that Caleb Hanie is under center.

Barber rushed 14 times for 44 yards in his team's 10-3 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 13, taking over for Forte once he was injured. On the year, Barber has 76 carries for 281 yards and five touchdowns and has caught three passes for 18 yards.

That means you're out of luck if you're in a PPR league and need Barber to match Forte's receiving totals. If that's the case, clearly Barber won't be a good fit for your team.

However, the Detroit Lions' Maurice Morris might be more useful to you. Back in the starting role after Kevin Smith re-aggravated his ankle injury, Morris rushed 12 times for 28 yards and caught five passes for 47 more and a score in Week 13.

Morris will be more involved in the Lions' passing game than Barber will be for the Bears, so if you're looking for receiving points, grab Morris over Barber this week.

Other waiver wire options include the Green Bay Packers' Ryan Grant or Brandon Saine, with the latter having more upside and the former having the benefit of knowing pretty much what you'll be getting should you start him.

You could also consider adding the Dallas Cowboys' Felix Jones, who has seen his touches and production increase while starter DeMarco Murray's numbers have dipped with his blocking fullback, Tony Fiammetta, sidelined with an illness.

Whatever you do, steer clear from adding one of the Indianapolis Colts' three running backs, Donald Brown, Joseph Addai and Delone Carter, especially if you need a Week 14 starter. The team faces the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday, guaranteeing that their individual performances won't be enough to help you on your way to a win.

At the very least, if the rest of your fantasy roster is solid, you should suffer less from losing Forte than if he were the only true stud in your starting lineup.

Further, the NFL is both changeable and unpredictable, just as much as the fantasy game is. Even without Forte, a number of fortuitous circumstances could line up to assist your playoff run. While losing him is a major blow, you can mitigate that loss and find a way to win without him.

Much as the Bears have to move on to plan B, so must you. But it's not impossible, just hard. Put in the work this week and the impact of Forte's loss should affect you less.