Injuries have plagued the past few weeks and more elite players keep dropping off Fantasy squads, leaving teams in utter disarray if there’s no solid backups on deck. More of the same happened in Week 10, and it hurts even more when those losses were close.
With the trade deadline approaching, the waivers will be your lifeline to the playoffs, and there’s been some emerging talent to sneak up on a few teams, thanks to those season-ending injuries from starters. Plus, more players are coming off long-term absence, looking to establish themselves back into the starting rotation.
Check out what players should be picked up from free-agency, who suffered injuries this past week and what players to keep an eye on the horizon, below.
OS REWIND: Start ‘Em Or Sit ‘Em: Week 10 Fantasy Football Notes
Players To Add
- Michael Crabtree – There’s a chance you might find him in waivers in a week or two, but considering he’s projected for a Week 13 return, stashing Crabtree now might be your best bet. He’s been practicing with the 49ers already, during non-contact drills, but he still has a few weeks to rust himself off.
- Shane Vereen – After beasting in week 1, Vereen is already eligible to play against Carolina this week, after 10 weeks of recovering with a broken wrist. Ridley might be going off in that Patriots backfield recently, but that doesn’t mean Vereen isn’t the go-to guy for New England once he’s back and healthy.
- Andre Brown – After Giants coaches went on record as saying that he would share snaps, Brown amassed 31 touches in week 10, totaling 115 yards on the ground and one touchdown. Expect more of that against the Packers this upcoming week.
- Dennis Johnson – Fantasy owners are still lamenting the loss of Arian Foster for the year, adding his name to the list of elite running backs who were a huge disappointment this season. With the Texans still injured at the position (thanks to Ben Tate’s ribs), Brown has emerged to hold down the backfield fort for Houston. He’s a small guy, so he won’t be overpowering linemen, but he will share a bulk of the touches. There’s a definite upside looming.
- Donald Brown – Remember Trent Richardson? It’s hard to, considering his performance hasn’t even really made a blip on the radar. Even more now, thanks to Brown. He’s shared the load with Richardson, and this past week, he quietly caught passes out of the backfield for 65 yards and a touchdown. He’s a solid add if you’re in desperate need of a RB.
Key Week 9 Injuries
- Mike James – The struggles for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue with more bad news, as promising running back Mike James suffered a fractured ankle this past week. There’s no definitive timetable for his return, in an injury that may have him out for the remainder of the season.
- Jake Locker – Out because of a right foot injury this past Sunday, reports are saying it might be Lisfranc related and Locker could go down for the rest of the year.
- Vernon Davis – While driving for a touchdown this past week against the Panthers, Davis suffered what may be a concussion, after be driven to the ground headfirst during a tackle. To play against the Saints this next Sunday, Davis would have to pass all neurological testing this week.
- Seneca Wallace – Aaron Rodgers went down, now Seneca is on the injury report thanks to a groin injury that occurred on the first series of the game. Don’t expect him back for a few weeks.
- Jay Cutler – Cutler’s injuries continue, this time going down with an ankle injury in Sunday’s game against the Lions. X-rays came back negative, but his status is shaky this upcoming week.
Players To Watch Moving Forward
- Brian Leonard – With Tampa Bay drowning in struggle at the running back position, Leonard emerged in wake of Mike James possible season ending injury. Expect more touches to go to Leonard in the near future.
- Mario Manningham – Cleared to play and getting a few catches in Sunday’s loss to the Panthers, Manningham is already in that WR2 role in San Francisco, especially after Vernon Davis’ concussion this past Sunday. Although he’s still shaking off the rust, look for Kaepernick to start looking for Mario moving forward.