Fantasy Football

Hurting For Heroes: Fantasy Football Injuries & Replacements For Week 4

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Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens

Mr. Rice’s knee has a significant contusion.  And thus the curse of the running backs continue.

Rice’s status for Sunday’s game against the Steel Curtain is still up in the air.  The Rutgers running back’s tenuous status coupled with the Steelers suffocating run defense equals doom…or so it seems. 

Wise owners will pick up touchdown maven from days of yore Willis McGahee.  See below for more recommendations.

Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams

Yes, it continues.  Another first round running back lingering on the fringe of the training room’s skid row. 

Jackson is famous for two things: causing owners to continually fear for their fantasy life because of injuries; and playing through his injuries like a beast. 

Last week Michael Turner proved that groin injuries aren’t always debilitating.  Rams doctors say Jackson’s injury is only a slight tear and not a major one.  However, like Rice, Jackson didn’t practice today. 

Jackson’s backup Kenneth Darby entered the game and scored a touchdown, but his per carry average wasn’t anything special.  Pick up Darby if you can, but also be on the lookout for C.J. Spiller (whom many owners dropped up until this week), Justin Forsett, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

Jason Witten, TE, Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys say Witten’s injury is an MCL sprain and that his x-rays came back negative. 
True, the Cowboys have a by next week.  Also true: Witten’s production has been downright abject. 

Peruse the waiver wire for the Jets’ Dustin Keller, the Lions’ Brandon Pettigrew, or the Bears’ Greg Olsen.

Steve Breaston, WR, Arizona Cardinals

Maybe the fantasy gods are striking back at Breaston for scoring nearly as many points this season as honey-handed teammate Larry Fitzgerald.  Maybe not.  Either way, Breaston will be out until week 7 (according to Espn.com).  This leaves owners searching for a flex WR to fill the hole that Breaston left. 

If you are looking for 6-8 points a week, consider St. Louis wideout Danny Amendola.  Amendola hasn’t scored a touchdown yet this season, but he is becoming Sam Bradford’s favorite third-down receiver.  Amendola has 16 catches, which increases his value in PPR leagues.

Many fantasy owners kicked Demaryius Thomas to the curb last week after a poor performance and an apparent injury.  Broncos coach Josh McDaniels says the injury isn’t serious and Thomas is slated to play Sunday at Indianapolis.  Keep in mind that only Philip Rivers has thrown for more yards this season (1087) than Thomas’ quarterback, Kyle Orton (1078 yards).  A healthy Thomas will get enough looks to make him an interesting option at your flex position.

Written by James Duren, exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com.

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Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Advice, Injuries, Week Two, Week Three, Waiver Wire, NFL, Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens, Willis McGahee, Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams, Kenneth Darby, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Justin Forsett, Jason Witten, Dustin Keller, Brandon Pettigrew, Greg Olsen, New York Jets, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Steve Breaston, Arizona Cardinals, Danny Amendola, Sam Bradford, Demaryius Thomas, Philip Rivers, Kyle Orton
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