Fantasy Football: Top 10 from the week 3 waiver wire

James Starks-RB-Green Bay Packers (8.3%)

The most impacting fantasy football injury of the week was Eddie Lacy’s ankle injury even though Tony Romo’s injury will definitely make the next few weeks extremely tough for the Cowboys.  Lacy turned his ankle and instantly threw his owners who spent a first round pick on him into turmoil.  He only finished the Sunday night game with nine yards, and finished with under a point in almost every format.

Lacy’s immediate replacement was James Starks, and he needs to be top of the waiver wire week 3 list especially for all Lacy owners. Even if you don’t own Lacy, though, Starks is a great add since he’ll be the Packers lead back for as long as Lacy is out. Starks looked good on Sunday Night Football finishing with 95 yards on his 20 carries and catching four passes for 11 more yards.  He didn’t find the end zone, but he could be part of a high-scoring offense moving forward and should be owned in all formats.

How long Starks will have value is still a little unclear since Lacy’s prognosis is cloudy.  X-rays on his ankle were negative, and it appears he avoided the dreaded high-ankle sprain as well.  If Lacy’s sprain is a low-ankle, normal sprain, he could be back soon.  The Packers’ are hopeful that Lacy can return week 3, but I think he’ll miss at least one week possibly more.

One thing in Lacy’s favor is that he’ll get an extra day to get ready this week since Green Bay hosts Kansas City on Monday Night Football. In week 4, Green Bay travels to San Francisco to face the 49ers. If Starks is starting in any of the next few games, he should be owned and played making him the top pickup from the week 3 waiver wire if you have any need at all for a running back. If you own Lacy, he’s a must-add, but he’s worth owning even if you don’t.

Next: Matt Jones-RB-Washington Redskins