There were a number of prominent players who suffered significant injuries in the past two weeks and fantasy lineups will be heavily impacted.
Texans’ linebacker Brian Cushing is lost for the year with a broken leg and torn lateral collateral ligament (LCL). He tore his anterior crucial ligament (ACL) in the same knee last year and missed the team’s last 11 games. Linebacker Jerod Mayo of the Patriots is likely done for the campaign with a torn pectoral muscle he suffered in Week 6 against the Saints.
The Bears will miss linebacker Lance Briggs for an estimated four to six weeks with a small fracture in his shoulder. The veteran was having a stellar season and should come back strong when healthy. He is absolutely worth stashing on your roster if you can.
Vikings’ free safety Harrison Smith won’t be eligible to return until Week 15 after being put on the short-term injured reserve with turf toe. The second-year safety is one of the best in the league, but you might want to drop him to make room for a replacement and make a run at the playoffs.
Here are some worthy replacements, that haven’t been mentioned in previous articles, for your hobbled defensive players.
Duke Ihenacho, Den SS
The name may be hard to pronounce, but the production has been easy to see. The 24-year-old is in his second year and was undrafted out of San Jose State. Ihenacho has 47 total tackles (39 solos), seven passes defensed, two fumbles recovered and one forced. He has started all seven of Denver’s games this season after only appearing in one in 2012.
Jamarca Sanford, Min SS
Smith’s absence leaves a large void in the Vikings’ secondary and Sanford is the most capable safety left in the lineup. He has missed two games with a hamstring injury this season, but still has averaged over seven total tackles in Minnesota’s other four games. Sanford’s 32 solo stops and five assists are very encouraging for tackle-friendly leagues. Owners in deep leagues will want to look hard at adding him.
Brandon Spikes, NE MLB
Mayo’s replacement in the middle of the New England defense is very capable and worth a roster spot in a lot IDP leagues. Spikes had 11 combined tackles (six solo) in the Pats’ loss to the Jets on Sunday. The former second-round pick in 2010 has promise to be a solid producer going forward.
Be sure to check IDP articles from past weeks to find other useful pickups for your squad. If you have any IDP questions you can ask me on Twitter @AndrewEggers.
