Ranking the NFL's Top 10 Injury Replacements of 2011

Every team in the NFL is going to have injuries. The teams that have the players step up and still get the job done are the ones who end up with successful seasons. Last year's Green Bay team was a great example of a players stepping up to overcome injuries to get the job done. 

This year, there have been an inordinate amount of injuries to key players. We can only speculate as to whether this is a direct result of the lockout, but, in turn, we have seen a lot of players step into big roles and produce. 

Here are the top injury replacements of 2011.

(Note: The ranking goes from 10-1, the first slide being No. 10).

Marcus Dixon

The Jets have been able to survive stretches without their underrated defensive end Mike DeVito largely because of the play of Marcus Dixon. The Jets put a lot of pressure on their front three to stop the run, and they have not missed a beat with Dixon in the lineup. 

With DeVito back in the fold, the Jets are now reassured that they can survive another injury to their front and can rotate Dixon in when needed. 

Victor Cruz

Cruz started as the third receiver on the Giants' roster, but since Mario Manningham's injury, Cruz has essentially taken his job as a regular starter and has been an effective downfield threat opposite Hakeem Nicks. 

Is just a few weeks, Cruz has become one of the most electric downfield receivers in football. 

Jackie Battle

Battle may not be the dynamic payer than they guy he replaced in Jamaal Charles, but he has been a physical presence at a key position for the Chiefs. 

With all of the quarterback issues in Kansas City, Battle's contributions have become more important as the season has progressed. 

Fred Davis

With Chris Cooley out for the season with an injury, Fred Davis has shown that not only can he replace Cooley, but he is probably the better player than Cooley, especially as a receiver. 

Unfortunately, he is missing more time with a suspension, but Davis is one of the few players on the Redskins offense that threatens a defense. 

DeMarco Murray

I think Murray is a bit overrated in terms of running ability, but you can't deny his production after taking over for Felix Jones. He shattered Cowboys franchise records in his first few starts and was good enough to get Tashard Choice cut from the team. 

Murray's season is likely to be over because of his own injury, but it is difficult to see the Cowboys in their playoff contention without his contributions. 

Jared Gaither

I'll admit it: I thought Gaither was just about finished after the Chiefs cut him. But after the desperate Chargers picked him up and put him at Rivers' blindside, he has been fantastic. 

Perhaps the biggest reason for Rivers' return to form and the furious late-season Chargers run has been because of Gaiter's play at left tackle. 

Sam Acho

Since taking over in the outside linebacker spot left void from Joey Porter's injury, Sam Acho has been a very effective player in the improving Cardinals defense.

Acho has five sacks in just as many games and is one of the biggest reasons for the Cardinals defense going from being a liability to one of the better units in the NFL. 

Pat Angerer

The Colts defense has been lousy all season, but don't blame it on their injury to their star linebacker Gary Brackett. Since Brackett's injury, Angerer has come in and has been a force at middle linebacker for the Colts. 

In just his second year as a pro, Angerer has already notched almost 140 tackles. The Colts defense has been exposed this year, but Angerer has been a silver lining. 

Carson Palmer

There have been a lot of ups and downs in Carson Palmer's stint as a Raider, but he has largely been an upgrade over Jason Campbell. 

Palmer gives the Raiders offense another dimension with his ability to make rare throws. They may have given up a bit much for him, but Carson has clearly been an upgrade over Campbell. 

Matt Moore

Dolphins fans may have groaned when Moore was signed instead of Kyle Orton in the offseason, but Moore has been more effective than anyone could have expected. He has taken command of the Dolphins offense and has looked like the better quarterback than the guy he replaced, Chad Henne.

Moore has probably played well enough to earn himself a starting job somewhere. Whether or not that is in Miami remains to be seen.