Those who have been holding on to Cowboys RB Felix Jones might finally get a chance to use him in Week Seven. ESPN's ED Werder reported Monday that DeMarco Murray is doubtful against the Panthers after suffering a foot injury against the Ravens. I say "might" because doubtful can sometimes turn into questionable, but I doubt it will in this case.
It gets even better for Jones owners, or for those who will be able to pick him up. Another report came out earlier Monday from the Cowboys' official site that MRI results revealed no broken bones, but "some" ligament damage that could knock Murray out for this week and "possibly longer." Murray has had a history of ailments dating all the way back to his college days. Even last year he was knocked out with a fractured ankle late in the season after popping up on the waiver wire. One of the things that worried many Murray owners during the days leading up to the season was that injury history rearing it's ugly head. It looks like it has.
As for Jones; he shoots up to the No. 1 waiver-wire option this week. In a year that has seen so many running backs disappoint and others simply not showing as much promise as they should, getting a bonafide starter that is still on the wire this late in the season is fairly rare. At running back at least. And the matchup is as good as you can get against the Panthers Defense. Think of Andre Brown's 113 yard/2 touchdown game in Week Three. The Panthers still rank fourth-to-last against fantasy running backs, giving up between 24-25 fantasy points per game. Jones should be a huge threat on the ground and in the air, giving him even more value in PPR leagues.
Against the Ravens, Jones still showed he has "it" after rushing 18 times for 92 yards and a score. He did have to deal with cramping, which has seemed to plague him for years now. But I wouldn't worry about that. There is also the presence of Philip Tanner, who racked up 31 yards of his own against the Ravens' sluggish defensive ends. But Tanner isn't a game changer. Give him the ball and he'll push the pile. He could get used on short-yardage work.
So if you have Jones, plug him in. He should put up high-end RB2 numbers. The Panthers are STILL that bad. And for those who have to decide who to pick up; Unless I had 4 studs sitting on my bench, there is no way I am passing up Jones as my No. 1 waiver wire option this week. There is a good chance that Murray misses a few games past Week Seven.