Another week has come and gone, and two more Packers have found themselves on the infirmary list. If you are still trying to fill holes on your fantasy squad, here are a few guys to keep in mind:
QUARTERBACKS
Other than Jeff Garcia, Chris Simms, Jamie Martin and Kelly Holcomb, whom I mentioned in last week’s Watch, there is only one potentially attractive option on tap this week.
Billy Volek, TEN – Steve McNair was a late scratch for the game against the Cardinals and Volek – usually a very capable backup – was knocked out of the game with a concussion. The status of both players is up in the air, but this is a situation to keep your eye on as the QB for the Titans is reasonably valuable.
RUNNING BACKS
Tony Fisher, GB – If you haven’t heard, Ahman Green’s season is over. Najeh Davenport would normally replace him, but he’s already out with a season-ending injury. That leaves Tony Fisher, who normally gets playing time on 3rd down. He’s a bit thin for a RB, but is a good receiver out of the backfield and can be productive at times. In the end, he’s now a starting RB and those are hard to find on the waiver wire at this point in the season.
Frank Gore, SF – The 49ers starting RB, Kevan Barlow, left the game with a leg injury, but is listed as probable for next week’s game. Gore did well in his place, and if he sees more carries than usual in the next game, it may indicate a changing of the guard in San Francisco. I wouldn’t run out and grab Gore at this point, but this is another situation to watch.
Travis Henry, TEN – Henry is probably not available on your league’s waiver wire, but an impatient owner may have cut him after news of his suspension broke. He is available to play next week and the starter, Chris Brown, was knocked out of the game against Arizona with a neck stinger. Brown is notoriously fragile, so Henry is one of the more valuable backups in the league.
WIDE RECEIVERS
I mentioned Jabar Gaffney and Doug Gabriel in last week’s Watch, and they are still good options this week.
Antonio Chatman, GB – Robert Ferguson is out for 2-4 weeks with a sprained knee, so Chatman’s role figures to increase during that span. He was already productive as the third WR so I expect his numbers to increase a bit while the Packer offense suffers as a whole. Green Bay has a brutal schedule over the next three weeks, so they may be playing from behind for the next month or so.
Mike Williams, DET – Kevin Johnson is out for the season so the Lions are very thin at WR until Roy Williams and Charles Rogers return. Jeff Garcia is in at QB and seemed to connect well with Mike Williams, who caught five passes for 95 yards on Sunday. I don’t expect that type of production going forward, but Williams might be a good 1-2 week option.
