Clinton Portis on the back of a utility cart, his right leg being pretzled back and forth by a trainer?  Fox commentators recounting Portis’ history of 325+ carries like they were talking about a high-mileage sedan that’s seen one too many trips to the mechanic?  

Yep, that’s what Portis owners faced on Sunday.  To a lesser extent, Knowshon Moreno owners felt the same pain.  Moreno is a second-year back that is slowly becoming the Bronco’s version of the oft-nicked Steven Jackson.  Pierre Thomas is also dealing with injuries.

So what do you do?

Portis backup Ryan Torian turned in a strong showing against the Eagles, running the ball 18 times for 70 yards.  Torian was out of football last year, but the year previous he did some spot rushing for the Broncos backfield.  

Here’s the problem.  The Eagles’ run defense gets torched nearly every week, so Torian’s numbers are somewhat misleading.  However, the Redskins face two of the league’s ten worst rush defenses, yardage-wise, in the next three weeks: Indianapolis and Green Bay.  

Torian may not get touchdowns, but he’ll probably get enough touches to produce 8-10 points in those matchups.  Keep him on the bench against the stingy Bears.

Also consider the Charger’s Mike Tolbert if he’s available.  Tolbert put in a 100-yard, one TD performance this week.  Next week he faces the purse-wielding, skirt-wearing Raiders run defense. 

McCoy owners endured manic moments on Sunday.  The former Pitt Panther tallied a season high in yards-from-scrimmage, but he also cracked a rib. On Monday, two important things happened. Eagles’ coach Andy Reid said that McCoy would play against the 49ers this week if the running back could handle the pain, and the Eagles contacted the Bills about trade bait Marshawn Lynch. Today though Lynch signed with the Seahawks, thus leaving the Eagles still searching.

Keep tabs on McCoy’s status throughout the week.  If his injury is more severe than first thought, backup Mike Bell has a nose for the end zone and could help you.  Also with Marshawn Lynch out of Buffalo, you should jump at the chance to take Bills running back Fred Jackson. 

Andre Johnson

Let’s face it.  This one hurts. Many owners drafted the burly Texan in the first round, foregoing Frank Gore and company to cash in on what was supposed to be a thunderous season for the receiver from the U.  

Now Johnson is hobbled with an ankle sprain.  He didn’t play Sunday and his status for next week is up in the air.  You aren’t going to find a #1 WR to fill his spot.  You need to scramble for someone that will steady your sinking ship (unless you are one of those guys that sold high on Jahvid Best to pick up Miles Austin or the like).

The options, my friend, are thin.  Backup WRs Jacoby Jones and Kevin Walter (a lauded sleeper two years ago) played second-fiddle to backup TE Joel Dressen against the Raiders Saturday.  It’s hard to say which receiver will go off, but know this: when Arian Foster plays a weak run defense (i.e. the Giants next week) the Houston WRs will suffer.  Pick up Walter and play him against the aerially-challenged Chiefs defense.  

If you are looking for insurance for next week, consider T.J. Houshmandzadeh.  He’s available in 68% of Yahoo leagues.  Next week he’s up against a middle-of-the-pack Broncos pass defense.  

Jay Cutler/Michael Vick

One guy came into the season hated by everyone outside of Chicago.  One guy came in once-hated by everyone, period.  Now both of them are dealing with injuries.  Cutler suffered a concussion and did not return to the Bears’ game against New York.  Vick took a shot to the ribs/chest and didn’t return to the Eagles’ game against the Redskins. Both QBs were racking up nice numbers to start the season.  

If you need to fill their spot, take a crack at Detroit’s Shaun Hill.  True, Hill posted some great numbers against Green Bay (34-of-54 for 331 yards, 2 TD and 2 INT).  What stands out more than numbers is that the former Maryland quarterback connected twice with fantasy heartbreaker Calvin Johnson.  If the Hill/Johnson duo keeps clicking, picking up Hill and playing him against the Rams and the Redskins could lead to two 250+ yard, 2 TD performances.

Owen Daniels

Daniels proves that ESPN’s Madden Predictions (90+ receptions, 1000+ yards) shouldn’t dictate your draft strategy, among other things.  Daniels was a popular sleeper pick–heck, I drafted him prior to the season.  Unfortunately, now he’s just asleep.  His knee isn’t the same.  Neither is his production: 68 yards on the season.

Daniels didn’t suffer an injury, per se, on Sunday.  However, it’s obvious that his off-season knee surgery is still an issue.  

If you are an Owen owner, then it’s time to move on.  Daniels’ backup Joel Dressen put in an impressive performance Sunday, catching five passes for 73 yards and a touchdown.  He’s available in 100% of Yahoo leagues.  New England’s TE Aaron Hernandez is available in 45% of Yahoo leagues and he’s averaging 70 yards per game.

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

Who are you picking up?
Leave a comment and let us know, or reply to us on twitter @TheFantasyFix