What You Need To Know After Week 9 Injuries

Every year as a fantasy owner, you expect injuries. In fact, you could say the best teams are the ones who deal with the injury bug the best. On a week to week basis you certainly see a lot of injuries, but not nearly as many as we saw last week. Week 9 in the NFL was a doozy. Stars from almost every fantasy position had some sort of injury.

But really, we’ve all been there; your starter goes down so you look to the waiver wire for help. But, when you get to the waiver wire, you see a bunch of players you have no idea about. Don’t worry, let me help you fill these voids in your line-ups.

Nov 28, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back LeVeon Bell (26) is led off the field by team staff after has his helmet was knocked off in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens during a NFL football game on Thanksgiving at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Le’Veon Bell (Pittsburgh RB) – Out for the season with a knee injury

Obviously, Bell is a huge loss for any team. But, if you drafted Deangelo Williams as a handcuff because of Bell’s early season suspension, you’re in luck. Coach Mike Tomlin has already voiced his confidence in Williams as the new starting RB. Williams has already put together a respectable season as the spot starter in Pittsburgh. Williams has 4.9 yards a carry, .1 above his career average. Williams did well in his first two games as the starter, even against the Patriots strong defense week 1. If you are the owner of Bell, you should look to acquire Williams as his replacement.

If Williams is not available, you’ll have to resort to the empty RB free agent market. Isaiah Pead is Williams’ new backup as of this week, and will likely be the change of pace back in Pittsburgh. Darren McFadden is a guy who is going to get a lot of carries now that the Cowboys dropped Julius Randle. Christine Michael is another guy on the Cowboys that could step in and get the bulk of the carries if McFadden struggles or gets injured like he is known to do.

Nov 1, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) carries the ball as Minnesota Vikings free safety Harrison Smith (22) defends during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Forte (Chicago Bears RB) – Expected to miss two weeks with a knee injury

According to Chris Mortensen, Matt Forte won’t be able to play “this week or the week after.” This is a big loss for Bears fans and Forte owners. Since Forte is the center of the offense in Chicago, lots of the players on the team are going to have to step up to fill the void. One of these players is TE Martellus Bennett. He should get a lot of the targets from QB Jay Cutler.

As for replacing him on your fantasy teams, there’s not a lot of options. Like I said before players like McFadden, Michael, Williams, and Pead are options. Jeremy Langford will be the man who comes in and replaces Forte for the time being. Langford hasn’t proven himself as a runner yet for the Bears, but he also hasn’t been given many carries. Langford is a high risk high reward candidate as a replacement for Forte. The Bears have been rumored to be looking at Montee Ball as someone to bring in to fill the void at the RB position as Forte recovers.

Nov 1, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens players react as wide receiver Steve Smith, Sr. (89) lays on the ground in the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Steve Smith Sr. (Baltimore Ravens WR) – Out for the season with an Achilles injury

After stating that this would be his last year in the league, Smith Sr. tragically tore his achilles last week in San Diego. Not only is this devastating for Smith Sr., who was having a dominant season, but the Ravens now lose their number one guy on offense. This is something that non-elite QB Joe Flacco can’t afford.

To replace Smith Sr., Kamar Aiken will step up into the WR1 duties. Along with Marlon Brown and Chris Givens, the Ravens WR corps is very slim, but someone is going to have to get the ball for Baltimore. Looking outside the Ravens roster, Markus Wheaton in Pittsburgh has his boy Big Ben back, and could use that to get his season back on track. Cecil Shorts III and Malcom Floyd are other guys available in most leagues that could be impact players given their situations.

Nov 1, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; San Diego Chargers medical staff help wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) off the field after an injury during the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Keenan Allen (San Diego Chargers WR) – Out for season with a lacerated kidney

The Chargers/Ravens game this weekend was not kind to star WR’s. Along with Smith Sr., Keenan Allen has been placed on season ending IR. For the Chargers, the loss is bad, but not as bad as the Ravens due to the options that still remain for Rivers. Malcom Floyd will fill the WR 1 void, and has experience with Rivers and the offense. When Antonio Gates returns, he will eat up a lot of those targets especially in the red zone along with partner in crime Ladarius Green.

Malcom Floyd and Stevie Johnson are in house fixes to replace Allen, with Cecil Shorts III, Markus Wheaton, and Leonard Hankerson also are guys that are available in a majority of leagues and could be your best options on the waiver wire. Don’t be afraid to try and trade for a guy like Brandon LaFell and try to buy low to fill the void in your line-up.

Oct 29, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) is sacked by Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake (91) in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Cameron Wake (Miami Dolphins OLB) – Out for season with a ruptured achilles

Joe Haden and Donte Whittner (Cleveland Browns DB) – Concussions

More from FanSided

Defense can be overlooked in fantasy football, but really it can make or break you in tight match-ups. It is important to note important defensive injuries when they occur. Wake is a huge part of the Miami defense, and his absence will likely show.

As for the Browns defense, these two are significant as they can lock down WR’s and give their lacking offense a chance. Not only will it affect their defensive points, but Johnny Manziel could suffer as the offense will be affected by the spotty defensive play.

Disagree with what I have to say or have questions to ask me? Ask away on Twitter @ConnerGrant5

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