In fantasy football, everyone has to be concerned with injuries. Unfortunately, the Bills were the first team to suffer this year. As if the Bills needed any more bad news after being annihilated 48-28 by a surprisingly strong Jets passing game Sunday, NFL.com's Jason La Canfora reports starting RB Fred Jackson is expected to miss up to four weeks after spraining his LCL in the second quarter. Jackson had rushed 6 times for 15 yards before going down.
With Jackson being the first major fantasy option to suffer a substantial injury this year, it's now time to look at backup C.J. Spiller. Playing in place of Jackson, Spiller came up big. Rushing 14 times for 169 yards and a touchdown, while adding another 25 yards off 2 catches, Spiller looks to finally be the player the Bills were hoping for when they used a first rounder on him a couple years ago. Finishing off as the third-overall fantasy option over the final 5 weeks in 2011 after Jackson broke his leg, Spiller looks to start up where he left off last season.
As a fantasy option, Spiller is a must pickup in both PPR and non-PPR leagues. Considering starting running backs who play all three downs are so scarce these days, Spiller should also wind up being the No. 1 waiver wire option this week ahead of guys like Stephen Hill and Kevin Ogletree. He showed great presence in the backfield and speed, ripping off a 56-yard touchdown run just a few plays after Jackson went down. If you wound up losing this week and have a high waiver-wire spot, pick Spiller up ASAP. He shouldn't disappoint after Sunday's performance.
Along with Spiller, make sure to check out the rest of my waiver wire options as we head into Week Two.