After last week and the number of injuries to even more key players, all I can say is WOW!
Another set of studs get the bye, and so it's time to tweak the line-up again. Wide receivers and running backs are becoming almost as tricky as the tight end position.
The loss of the Steelers' running back LeVeon Bell and Chicago's Matt Forte will really test the thin depth on the running back waiver wire. You might want to consider trading for a back if it's possible.
Kansas City's Charcandrick West is on bye, but worth an add for down the road if you had Bell is your guy. Just be sure you notice that West faces a very stingy Denver defense out of the bye. He may not pay off for a couple weeks.
In the cruel world of fantasy sports, you should have been trying to add Steelers' running back DeAngelo Williams after seeing the injury to Bell. It looked bad right away. I added Williams during the game. It's tough to look at it that way because you hope the best for Bell.
The Steelers just weren't meant to have their whole compilation of skill guys this year, I guess. Quarterback Ben Roethlisburger just returned from injury last week, and now Bell is done for the year. Williams, however, showed his value the first two games of the year filling in for the suspended Bell.
You can also look at a rookie in Chicago. Running back Jeremy Langford is a popular add, but we'll see how many touches he gets. Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase loves to throw the football. Langford is a starter though, and not many productive starters will be found on the waiver wire.
Broncos running back C.J. Anderson is going to continue to make things interesting for those who want a Broncos' back. Ronnie Hillman is the starter, and both got TD's last week, but both will play. Hillman is worth a start, Anderson a swing play.
At wide receiver, Chargers' Stevie Johnson and Malcom Floyd are both top adds with Keenan Allen's injury, and trip to IR. Johnson will assume the No. 1 role, but Floyd has been good with quarterback Philip Rivers in the past. The Chargers remain one of those teams that leave you scratching your head at all their injuries year after year.
Ravens' wide out Kamir Aiken is future add. He will be on bye, but will be expected to fill in for Steve Smith Sr. some how, who is now gone with a torn Achilles injury.
Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler, Tampa Bay's Jameis Winston and Houston's Brian Hoyer are all available at their position. I would take Cutler first. He is finding his groove in Gase's pass-happy offense. I know cold weather is coming, but Cutler has proven he can still sling it in bad weather. Sometimes it's to the other team, but he does sling it. Hoyer looked good for the Texans against the Titans. Washington's Kirk Cousins is still around in some leagues too. Plus, Dallas' Tony Romo is practicing again.
Trades may be your best answer to some of these key players going down. Don't be afraid to take a chance. Offer a guy that would hurt to lose, but you can ultimately do without, especially if you have a guy behind him that's just a few points off.
Everyone tries the ridiculous trade offer for a conversation starter, but then gets no follow-up. Throw out a legitimate trade offer, and get the deal done. The waiver wire can just be false hope too many times. A lot of the new fill-ins were back-ups for a reason.
Twitter: AndyKOASports Email: andy@850koa.com
