Some Fantasy Football managers were hit hard this week by injuries. Justin Jefferson, De’Von Achane, James Conner and Khalil Herbert were a few of the players who were hurt while playing this week, while Aaron Jones and Amon-Ra St. Brown missed games because they were hurt.
Injuries are a brutal part of the game that can really throw a Fantasy Football manager for a loop. With bye weeks also underway, it can be difficult to find productive players to fill out lineups with.
While it sucks to see players get hurt, it does open up the door for others to step into a prominent role. There is value to be found, as there are some players who you should be running to the waiver wire to add this week.
The first is Chicago Bears running back, Roschon Johnson. Herbert is expected to miss multiple weeks because of a dreaded high-ankle sprain. Johnson is expected to take over the starting role in his absence, a spot that usually produces for Fantasy Football managers.
The Bears may not win much on the scoreboard, but they are committed to the ground game. A 76.2 rushing grade by Johnson this season shows how well he has been playing. The only caveat to adding him is that he did suffer a concussion against the Washington Commanders in Week 5.
With that in mind, adding D’Onta Foreman, who has been a healthy scratch, wouldn’t be a bad idea either. Travis Homer also went down with an injury, which left fullback Khari Blasingame as the only healthy back to finish Week 5.
Another running back for Fantasy Football managers to keep an eye on is Chuba Hubbard of the Carolina Panthers. Hubbard out-snapped Miles Sanders, albeit barely, once again as he is assuming a bigger role in the backfield.
He got all of the money snaps in Week 5, playing in the goal line and two-minute drill. On top of being the early down lead back, Hubbard is someone whose arrow is pointing way up and could see his role expand even more with Sanders struggling.
If you are seeking wide receiver help, Indianapolis Colts’ Josh Downs is your guy. Downs is the biggest beneficiary to Anthony Richardson going down with an injury as his target share rises a ton with Gardner Minshew under center.
Coming off a six-catch, 97-yard performance in Week 5, Downs is going to become a bigger part of the passing game as long as Minshew is under center. With Richardson’s injury looking like a long-term one, Fantasy Football managers could benefit from the spike in opportunities for a while.
A veteran who should be garnering your attention now is Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams. With Cooper Kupp healthy and in the lineup along with Puka Nacua, this passing offense showed its potential against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5.
Stafford completed 21-of-37 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns. Second in the NFL with 225 dropbacks this season, his production is set to take off with his favorite target back in the lineup. If he can see an uptick in touchdown passes, he is going to skyrocket up the Fantasy Football rankings as well.
Last but not least, a tight target has emerged. Finding consistent production at the position has been impossible this season, but Logan Thomas of the Commander is someone you can start to trust.
Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy likes to feature the tight end in his offense and Thomas is benefiting. Thomas has played north of 75 percent of the offensive snaps in every game he has been healthy this season, making him a safe option at a volatile tight end spot for Fantasy Football managers.
