The past couple weeks have been rough for those IDP owners having to face the fact that their player is done for the season with an injury. It’s never easy to replace a standout on your squad, but the following breakdown should make it easier to get through.
Let’s take a look at some of the players who are out for the season and their potential replacements. Backups can become fantasy relevant seemingly overnight when opportunity knocks.
Ray Lewis, LB, Baltimore Ravens – This is arguably the most devastating injury suffered this season as the future Hall of Famer completely tore his triceps muscle last week against the Cowboys. Lewis is invaluable to the Ravens and his fantasy owners who saw him post 57 total tackles (44 solo) and a sack in the team’s first six games. After a 17-year career, retirement may be looming for Lewis and that would be a huge loss for the game itself.
With huge shoes to fill, Jameel McClain will likely see the most snaps at middle linebacker with Dannell Ellerbe possibly playing some in nickel and dime formations. Both players will see an uptick in fantasy value, but McClain is the more desirable of the duo at this point.
McClain has been the defensive play-caller last season when Lewis was out with injury and should emerge as a low-end No. 2 linebacker in tackle-heavy formats. Look for him to produce a good amount of tackles but not many sacks.
Brian Cushing, LB, Houston Texans – The former Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2009 tore an ACL in his knee Week 5 against the Jets and will be replaced by Tim Dobbins at inside linebacker. Cushing had pedestrian numbers up until his injury in what was a season that looked to be filled with promise.
Dobbins will move atop the depth chart to play alongside fellow inside linebacker, Bradie James, in Houston’s 3-4 scheme. Bradie James is the more valuable of two players and will see his numbers increase as an every-down backer. His numbers have been decent at best this season with 15 solo tackles and 13 assists. The 31-year-old veteran is only worth a waiver in deep leagues right now.
D.J. Smith, LB, Green Bay Packers – The second-year guy out of Appalachian State was placed on injured reserve after playing in place of Desmond Bishop (hamstring), who is also out for the season. Smith was having a decent year and had the potential to really breakout before what was an ugly injury to his knee, which is suspected to be a torn ACL.
Brad Jones would likely see the most action in place of Smith and A.J. Hawk will likely share a lot of the load as the other starting, inside linebacker in the 3-4 defense. Jones is in his fourth season and won’t be very valuable in IDP at least initially, but Hawk owners should see added production. Second-year pro Jamari Lattimore also has a shot at getting snaps as Coach Mike McCarthy figures out who works out better.
Ladarius Webb, CB, Baltimore Ravens – The Raven not only lost their All-Pro middle linebacker, but also their best cornerback in Webb who also tore his ACL last Sunday. The four-year pro had 24 solo tackles, one assist and one interception to start the season and was going to be a top-10 talent amongst cornerbacks.
Cary Williams is the team’s other starting corner and will likely cover the opposing team’s best wide receiver and that should boost his statistical output. Jimmy Smith will start at corner and the former first-round pick a season ago isn’t fantasy relevant right now, but he has the talent to be very good in the future. Now that he has a chance to play every snap, Smith’s progression could move pretty quickly.
