This week’s Hurting for Heroes lists feature three running backs and a quarterback:

If Bush was your no. 1 running back, then you were in trouble in to begin with.  Assuming that most of you had Bush as a #2 or a flex is a safe bet.  If you want a versatile back to take his place, take Darren Sproles if he’s available.  The Lightning Bug can score on the ground, through the air, or on kick returns.  Plus, he put in an honest four years at Kansas State.  If Sproles is gone (he was drafted in many leagues) you could reach for Buffalo Bills jack-of-all-trades Fred Jackson.  Jackson had a terrible week against a good defense, but he could bounce back for 80 all-purpose yards.

Another option for Bush owners is Willis McGahee.  McGahee’s goal line prowess makes him a threat to score a touchdown every week.  Throw in thirty or forty yards and McGahee’s numbers are very comparable to an average Reggie Bush week.

Also keep an eye out for Marshawn Lynch.  The former Cal standout ran the ball 17 times against the Packers on Sunday.  He’ll split carries with Fred Jackson, but his uptick in carries make him a possible flex play.

Michael Turner | RB | Atlanta Falcons

Turner, despite predictions that he would bounce back from an off year, is already ailing.  Falcons Coach Mike Smith says Turner won’t miss time from the groin injury he sustained and was only pulled from the game because it was a blowout.  Don’t be so sure, though.  Turner may very well be healthy enough to start next week.  However, groin injuries are, for lack of a better term, delicate.  Clearing a roster spot for a Jason Snelling handcuff would be a very smart idea.  

Ryan Mathews | RB | San Diego Chargers

Maybe it was the pressure of being the top-ranked rookie running back.  Maybe it was the burden of filling LaDainian Tomlinson’s shoes.   All we know is that Ryan Mathews fumbles too much, and now he’s dealing with a minor ankle injury.  NFL.com reports that Mathews was seen in a protective boot during the second half of the Chargers’ bludgeoning of the Jaguars.  That’s not a good sign, even if Norv Turner says the boot measure was only precautionary.  Like Turner, feel free to handcuff Mathews with backup beast Mike Tolbert.  Tolbert is available in 99 percent of leagues.

Dennis Dixon | QB | Pittsburgh Steelers

Dixon’s knee injury requires surgery and there’s a good chance that the Oregon grad won’t play in another game this season.  Like Bush, if you were starting Dennis Dixon you were already in trouble.  With Dixon down and out for the season, comb the waiver wire for Josh Freeman.  The Bucs’ field general has thrown four touchdowns in two games.  He is looking poised in the pocket and his receivers are slowly creeping into the conscience of fantasy football gurus.  Freeman is available in 97% of leagues.

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

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