Many teams that suffered a serious injury to a star player still managed to win, thanks to the emergence of a capable backup (Photo: Getty Images/AP Photo).
Sunday, September 14th, 2014. A day that brought about serious injuries for NFL stars A.J. Green, Jamaal Charles and Robert Griffin III. Additionally, players like Knowshon Moreno, Mark Ingram and Ryan Mathews who got off to great starts to the season, will also miss considerable time. All this lead to an extremely low scoring week in Fantasy Football, but luckily for many of their teams and fantasy owners alike, there are more than capable replacements waiting in the wings. These are the players to target in your Race to the Waiver Wire Week 2.
Quarterback
Having recently turned 50, it will be interesting to see which team is willing to give Shane Falco that one final chance (Photo: The Replacements)
Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins, Next Up: @ Eagles, vs Giants, vs Seahawks, Y! Owned: 8%
The Redskins management and coaches were made to look pretty smart Sunday when number one quarterback Robert Griffin III went down with yet another injury, this time his ankle. During the summer offseason, management decided to hang onto backup Kirk Cousins, despite several trade rumors. RG3 is now out indefinitely with a sprained ankle sustained during a scramble outside early on in Sunday’s blowout victory over the Jaguars. Cousins filled in admirably going 22-for-33, with 250 yards, two TD and 0 INT. He projects to be starting for a while and has two relatively easy match-ups to start off against the Eagles and Giants before facing the Seahawks (in Washington). For owners of Griffin, or for those who bit too hard on the Jake Locker hype last week (sorry), Cousins will be the best available option, at least for two weeks.
Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota Vikings, Next Up: NA, Y! Owned: 3%
In his revenge game against the Patriots, starting QB Matt Cassel failed to accomplish much after an early 25-yard passing touchdown to Matt Asiata. His four (!!!) interceptions made the Patriots D/ST the highest scoring fantasy unit of the week as they racked up 26.00 points in standard Y! leagues (!!!). The team remains adamant that Cassel will continue to start ahead of the rookie (!!!), but it’s highly unlikely they can hold such a stance for the entire season the way Cassel’s playing. If given the chance, Cordarrelle Patterson, Kyle Rudolph and Greg Jennings represent extremely good receiving options for Bridgewater, regardless of what the situation will be regarding the Vike’s run game at that inevitable point.
Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars, Next Up: NA, Y! Owned: 4%
Similarly to Bridgewater, if the Jags want to appear as though they are trying to win a game in 2014 (they don’t), Bortles will get a chance. Through three quarters of Sunday’s loss to the Redskins, Jacksonville hadn’t run a single offensive play in the Washington half of the field. The ineptitude of Chad Henne at quarterback is also infuriating Toby Gerhart owners, as defenses are loading up against the run, limiting the free agent acquisition to just eight yards on seven carries. Allen Hurns followed up his big
week
first quarter against the Eagles with just two receptions for 13 yards. It’s highly unlikely the only thing this team needs is the return of Cecil Shorts III, although that, accompanied with a quarterback change could certainly improve things in Jacksonville…at least from a fantasy persepective.
Johnny Manziel, Cleveland Browns
Brian Hoyer‘s response to Johnny Football’s lone pass attempt Sunday vs New Orleans:
Running Back
Ahmad Bradshaw, Indianapolis Colts, Next Up: @ Jaguars, vs Titans, vs Ravens, Y! Owned: 42%
Even though he’s in a time share with Trent Richardson, Bradshaw is the most worthy running back addition at his current ownership percentage. Why? Because T-Rich is awful. Sure, he had 95 total yards Monday night, but he ran for fewer than four yards per carry, failed to
find
locate the end zone, and threw two balls on the ground (recovered one). Bradshaw is the far more reliable scoring option in the Colts’ offense. After an 0-2 start to 2014 the coaching staff will be forced to realize this, give up on Richardson and make Bradshaw the workhorse. Judging by the upcoming schedule, this won’t be his only two score game in the weeks to come, if healthy.
Knile Davis, Kansas City Chiefs, Next Up: @ Dolphins, vs Patriots, @ 49ers, Y! Owned: 18%
Davis is the best of the many injury replacements. Charles is out for an unknown amount of time, but the prognosis of “high ankle sprain” leads one to believe his return will be the extended side of sooner or later. Widely undrafted as a handcuff, Davis will be the top target of Charles owners, and their competitors. In his first game as the replacement, Davis totaled 22.50 standard fantasy points and projects to maintain the team’s heavy workload on the ground with Alex Smith at quarterback.
Donald Brown, San Diego Chargers, Next Up: @ Bills, vs Jaguars, vs Jets, Y! Owned: 8%
Following a healthy 2013, Ryan Mathews returns to the injury report ahead of Week 3. He left early Sunday vs the Seahawks with a reported MCL sprain, with the early prediction being a return in 4-6 weeks. In the meantime, Brown will be first in line for early down work, with Danny Woodhead remaining the passing down back. Brown closed out the Week 2 win against Seattle with a meagre 21 yards on seven carries, but more work against lesser run defenses will lead to production, especially with the passing offense producing so well. Two of the next three match-ups are less than favorable with the Bills and Jets on hand, but the veteran has proven to be far more than capable of handling a steady workload in the past.
Khiry Robinson, New Orleans Saints, Next Up: vs Vikings, @ Cowboys, vs Buccaneers, Y! Owned: 17%
The impressive start Mark Ingram was having to 2014 came to a screeching halt with his hand injury sustained during Sunday’s loss to the Browns. The breakout candidate now finds himself out at least a month, and with Pierre Thomas being used strictly in the passing game, the number one job is the rookie’s to run with. Robinson’s been running for over four yards per carry and already has his first NFL touchdown. Although starting 0-2, the Saints remain the favorites in most match-ups, and should be heavily favored in their next three. Ingram should return after the team’s Week 6 bye, but Robinson will have three excellent opportunities prior to then to increase his workload beyond that point.
Bobby Rainey, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Next Up: Falcons, @ Steelers, @ Saints, Y! Owned: 21%
A late inactive Sunday against the Rams, Doug Martin‘s status for Week 3 will likely be up in the air right up until game time Thursday vs Atlanta. Rainey sure did impress in his place in Week 2’s loss, racking up 144 yards and 22.40 STD points. That said, although HC Lovie Smith wants to use an RB by committee, Martin won’t lose his job due to injury and will lead that committee upon his eventual return. If you have the roster room, go and grab Rainey in the event of Martin being unable to go on Thursday, but don’t expect this “statement game” to mean much in the coaching staff’s eyes. We saw a couple big games from Rainey last year, and they were usually followed up by a dud.
Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati Bengals, Next Up: vs Titans, BYE, @ Patriots, Y! Owned: 49%
The Bengals coaching staff held true to their word about getting Hill more involved in the offense. Luckily for them, the Falcons ineptitude on Sunday made the task an easy one as he was able to pile up all sorts of garbage time points. The rookie was able to total 15.60 STD points against the Falcons clueless run defense, on just 15 carries. With a scheduled win against the Titans coming up at home, Hill should be in line for a repeat. He’ll be worth holding onto until the next favorable match up.
Dexter McCluster, Tennessee Titans, Next Up: @ Bengals, @ Colts, vs Browns, Y! Owned: 5%
While he would look more favorable if he were still a member of the Chiefs in Jamaal Charles‘ absence, McCluster is looking better and better in the Titans backfield. In Week 2’s loss to Dallas, he was the most used Titans RB, despite being #3 on the depth chart behind Shonn Greene and Bishop Sankey. He’s the right combination of Greene’s reliability and Sankey’s talent. Expect him to continue to draw work as long as the former remains unable to accomplish much of value, and the coaches don’t trust the latter.
Jerick McKinnon, Minnesota Vikings, Next Up: @ Saints, vs Falcons, @ Packers, Y! Owned: 12%
Matt Asiata didn’t accomplish
much
anything after an early 25-yard receiving TD in Adrian Peterson‘s Week 2 de-activation against New England. AP’s legal issues will remain at hand although the team has come out and said he will play until they’re told he can’t. In the event of him being in the lineup, neither Asiata nor McKinnon hold any value, but if he’s handed a 4-6 week suspension as many suspect, McKinnon projects to be the most valuable and represents even greater value in keeper/dynasty leagues. He’s worth stashing until an official ruling is passed along.
Damian Williams, Miami Dolphins, Next Up: vs Chiefs, @ Raiders, BYE, Y! Owned: 0%
There’s not a whole lot to base this add on other than the fact that Lamar Miller is the only one standing between Williams and an NFL starting job. Knowshon Moreno firmly established himself as the team’s #1 RB in Week 1’s victory over the Patriots, but is now out 4-8 weeks with a dislocated elbow. Williams could be worthwhile scooping up in the event of Miller running his way out of a job…again.
Wide Receiver
Mohamed Sanu, Cincinnati Bengals, Next Up: vs Titans, BYE, @ Patriots, Y! Owned: 8%
Sanu is next in line to be the Bengals WR1 in A.J. Green‘s potential absence. The team received good news Monday that the early prognosis of “turf toe” doesn’t appear to be the case, meaning they could have their star wideout re-join the team potentially next week. If not though, it leaves them without their top two receiving options as Tyler Eifert remains out of the lineup for the foreseeable future, and Jermaine Gresham isn’t much of a threat in the passing game. If Green misses time, the focus will shift much more heavily to the run game, but it will also leave Sanu as the only viable option through the air.
Andrew Hawkins, Cleveland Browns, Next Up: vs Ravens, BYE, @ Titans, Y! Owned: 32%
A former Bengal, Hawkins finds himself in a similar situation to Sanu. With Josh Gordon likely out until week 12, and Jordan Cameron battling a shoulder injury, he’s fighting off only Miles Austin for targets. He’s been unable to find the end zone, but has received heavy doses of targets and has racked up over 150 receiving yards through two weeks. Even if Cameron can return in Week 3, he’ll remain the top WR option, and is a must own in PPR leagues.
Brian Quick, St. Louis Rams, Next Up: vs Cowboys, BYE, @ Eagles, Y! Owned: 16%
Another PPR monster, Quick has been the favorite target for both Shaun Hill and Austin Davis through two weeks. Tavon Austin continues to struggle in his second year, and the run game hasn’t featured as heavily as we were led to believe. Someone in the Rams offense has to gain yards, and so far, Quick has been the one to answer the bell.
James Jones, Oakland Raiders, Next Up: @ Patriots, vs Dolphins, BYE, Y! Owned: 20%
Jones usurped Rod Streater as rookie Derek Carr‘s favorite option in Week 2. Despite losing a fumble (and recovering another one…on the same play), he gained over 100 yards, and scored a touchdown. The team will likely try everything they can to have their top free agent signing produce, and Sunday was a good sign of what’s possible for a team that will likely turn to the passing game regularly.
Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers, Next Up: @ Lions, @ Bears, vs Vikings, Y! Owned: 1%
The rookie was targeted twice in the red zone during Sunday’s comeback win over the Jets and received more playing time than closest competition Jarrett Boykin. The Packers’ WR1 and WR2 jobs are firmly spoken for, but Aaron Rodgers has regularly produced three viable fantasy options in the past, and there is always a risk of injury for both Jordy Nelson and Alex Cobb. The time may have come to stash Adams in your keeper league.
Tight End
Larry Donnell, New York Giants, Next Up: vs Texans, @ Redskins, vs Falcons, Y! Owned: 21%
It’s possible that Donnell’s two best weeks are behind him, with his “Who the heck’s this guy?!” game against the Lions in Week 1, and Week 2’s date with the Cardinals’ defense that is about as weak against tight ends as Derek Jeter. Still, he’s caught nearly everything thrown to him en route to 137 receiving yards through two weeks, and runs the only routes Eli Manning can reach through the air (short ones). It doesn’t get markedly tougher against the next three defenses he’ll face, and is worth a look with injuries piling up at the position.
Niles Paul, Washington Redskins, Next Up: @ Eagles, vs Giants, vs Seahawks, Y! Owned: 4%
Although number two on the Redskins’ depth chart, Paul could receive plenty of starts whilst playing behind the oft-injured Jordan Reed. He looked very good working with number two quarterback Kirk Cousins after posting impressive Week 1 totals, and if RG3 and Reed continue to miss time, could become a reliable play.
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs, Next Up: @ Dolphins, vs Patriots, @ 49ers, Y! Owned: 37%
Kelce saw his workload double from Week 1 to Week 2, and came through with four receptions for 81 yards against the Broncos. The Jamaal Charles injury will likely lead to consistently more passing plays for HC Andy Reid‘s offense, and with the young TE showing early growth, he could become the greatest benefactor.
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