Nothing can derail a good NFL fantasy season quite like injuries. Whether it be your much-coveted running back pulling his hamstring on a cut or a top receiver going up a little too high and bruising some ribs, injuries can occur at any time to any player. These are some the players you should take, either as a handcuff or as a bench player with potential. Here are the top injury replacements you should consider for your fantasy football team in 2017.
Jonathan Williams – Buffalo Bills
Running Back
As the Buffalo Bills lack talent on offense, the importance of the running game will be crucial in 2017. Expectations are for LeSean McCoy to have a large workload and be the focal point of the offense. The problem is LeSean McCoy has been a very busy back in his NFL career, racking up 2280 total touches over eight years. This level of volume may begin to show in 2017, and it would not be surprising to see McCoy miss some time. This opens the door for Jonathan Williams and makes him a player to watch in 2017.
Sterling Shepard – New York Giants
Wide Receiver
With Odell Beckham Jr. already dealing with an injury and Brandon Marshall being on the wrong side of 30, Sterling Shepard is one hit or awkward step away from becoming a centerpiece in the Giants’ offence. Shepard had a productive rookie season in 2016, with the highlight being his eight receiving touchdowns. If he does get a chance to start, he should be able to improve on the 65 receptions for 683 yards he recorded in 2016 and could be a top-24 receiver during the time he moves into the starting line-up.
James Conner – Pittsburgh Steelers
Running Back
As great as Le’Veon Bell is, he has a history of missing games. Last season, when Bell missed the first four games, the Steelers back-up RB Deangelo Williams took over starting duties, and through the first two games, he did not disappoint. Williams ran for 237 yards and two touchdowns while adding ten receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown. Conner has more upside than a grizzled Williams, and if Bell is injured or suspended, Conner could see his role and volume increase significantly in one of the NFL’s best offensive units.
C.J. Prosise/Chris Carson – Seattle Seahawks
Running Back
Although he currently sits near the bottom of the Seahawk’s depth chart, C.J. Prosise is one injury away from seeing his role in the offense expand considerably. Both Lacy and Rawls, two running backs ahead of Prosise, were limited in 2016. The two backs combined to play 14 games. Depending on which back gets hurt or phased out of the offense will determine what role Prosise takes over. Either way, Prosise showed enough talent in 2016, averaging 5.7 yards per carry and catching 17 passes for 208 yards in just six games, that if he gets an opportunity to play more, he should be productive.
The question for Prosise is just a matter of staying healthy. If he’s not able to – and we’ve already seen some issues in the preseason – rookie Chris Carson could see starts sooner than later. The Seahawks do like to be physical and they have two physical runners. However, Carson is the most explosive – and possibly the most complete – back on the roster. He’s a rookie, so he won’t get the lion’s share of the snaps for a while but he could be a name that becomes a hot waiver wire pickup if either Rawls or Lacy go down to injury.
Vernon Davis – Washington Redskins
Tight End
Through his first four years in the league, Jordan Reed has developed into one of the top tight ends in fantasy football. He also is a consistent injury risk, averaging 11.5 games per season and never playing a full 16 games. The injury risk to Reed is why Davis is a great fantasy handcuff and asset to have. Last season, Davis recorded 44 receptions, 583 yards and two touchdowns with his best games coming when Reed was injured. Consider grabbing Davis if you get Reed or watch him on the waivers throughout the season.
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