Fantasy football: Injury edition
Written by Hannah Ulm, Sep 19, 2011, 0 Comments
We are two weeks into the fantasy season and already players are dropping like flies—or like balls thrown to WR Stevie Johnson on the days God hates him. Injured players are piling up, making fantasy owners scour the free agent lists. If you’re lucky you’ll only need to replace a player or two.
In my case, I sadly dropped the wonderfully accurate Nate Kaeding for the almost-as-accurate Robbie Gould. Replacing a kicker isn’t a huge issue in the fantasy world. However, replacing more prominent injured players can pose quite a problem.
The biggest injury story coming into the season was Colts QB Peyton Manning. Week one showed his absence was a bigger deal than some thought. Obviously it affected Manning’s fantasy owners. But a Kerry Collins offense affects every player of the Colts. WR Reggie Wayne, RB Joseph Addai and TE Dallas Clark all drop in fantasy value until Manning returns.
The Houston Texans are limited on RB options. Even with Arian Foster returning, he could be limited and second-stringer Derrick Ward is out with ankle and shoulder injuries. This gives some opportunity to the third RB Ben Tate and possibly even the fourth RB Steve Slaton, who was actually decent some years ago.
But these guys aren’t starters for a reason; so don’t put too much faith in them. The running game struggle might just lead to more passes, so QB Matt Schaub and WR Andre Johnson owners could be sitting pretty.
St. Louis Rams star Steven Jackson strained his quadriceps on his first TD run of 2011. He is listed as day-to-day for the Sept. 19 matchup between the Rams and the New York Giants, but I think it’s safe to assume he’ll sit this one out. For anyone looking for a last-minute player in a league filled with owners who don’t pay attention, scoop up Cadillac Williams. Most likely, he’s already taken. But if not, the former Bucs veteran should get some optimal playing time and still has the skills to move the ball.
Other injured players to keep in mind: DAL Dez Bryant, DET Calvin Johnson, JAC Marcedes Lewis, KC Eric Berry and Tony Moeaki, NO Lance Moore and Marques Colston, NYJ Santonio Holmes, PIT Jerricho Cotchery, SEA Sidney Rice, SF Michael Crabtree, TB Sammie Stroughter.
Use your spare time to research your options just in case one of your stars get hurt. Being first to hit the waiver wires or free agents lists can help in a big way.
