One of my main tasks this offseason is to create a boilerplate template column that I can just reuse each week by plugging in a new name.
You know, like: Another devastating injury in the NFL this week, as [insert name here] went down with a [insert injury here] and will be lost for [insert entire season or lengthy time frame here]. You need to go pick up [insert replacement option name here].
This week’s [insert name here] guy is Antonio Brown.
NFL star has become the most dangerous job in America. Every week, there’s a new name to add to the Infirmary All-Stars: David Johnson, Odell Beckham Jr., Dalvin Cook, Deshaun Watson, Carson Wentz and, now, [insert Antonio Brown here].
Brown’s [insert calf injury here] will keep him out at least until the playoffs, which means you won’t have him for the [insert rest of your fantasy playoffs here]. And the cold, harsh truth is there is no replacing him.
Just like no combination of Kerwynn Williams, Adrian Peterson and others were going to duplicate David Johnson, and Sterling Shepard wasn’t going to mimic Beckham, and it was going to take two guys combined to equal Cook. And so on.
The only sliver of good news is that most fantasy championships are held this week, to avoid the exhibition-style benchings in meaningless Week 17 games. Thus, we’re going to focus only on this week’s matchups.
Among the Steelers’ options to get extra work and possible targets are JuJu Smith-Schuster (almost certainly unavailable), Martavis Bryant (unlikely to be available), Eli Rogers and Darrius Heyward-Bey.
Rogers and Heyward-Bey will be available in most leagues, and both should get a bump in snaps. Yet neither played a significant role after Brown went down Sunday. We tend to think Brown’s targets will get spread out between JuJu, Bryant, running back Le’Veon Bell and tight end Jesse James.
With the in-house options providing little in the way of upside, we look elsewhere. The first clear option is Jacksonville’s Keelan Cole. He has scored in three straight games, and his yardage has increased each week during that stretch — with a blockbuster seven-catch, 186-yard explosion Sunday against the Texans. He faces a 49ers defense this week that won’t be as generous as Houston, but it doesn’t scare anyone either.
You also could try his teammate, Dede Westbrook. He had been on the rise until a disappointing game Sunday, with Jaydon Mankins vulturing what we thought would be Westbrook looks. We think this was an outlier, and Westbrook is our preferred option.
Another possibility is Damiere Byrd. He caught his first two career TDs Sunday and has eight grabs over the past two weeks. Fears he is an anomaly are outweighed by a glorious matchup with the Buccaneers’ pretend secondary.
You could try Cole Beasley, Corey Coleman, Eric Decker or Trent Taylor.
No, these options aren’t pretty. But neither was the injury to [insert Antonio Brown here].
Replacements
Elijhaa Penny RB, Cardinals
Kerwynn Williams suffered a quad injury, and Penny took over in his absence. Arizona running game in a nice spot vs. the Giants, whoever plays.
Tion Green RB, Lions
Theo Riddick is dealing with a wrist injury. Green had 10 carries this past week, compared to just one for Ameer Abdullah. Nice matchup vs. Bengals.
Mike Wallace WR, Ravens
He is available in a surprising number of leagues. The Colts have allowed the most passes of 20-plus yards in the NFL. One thing Wallace does well is go deep.
Kendall Wright WR, Bears
Has 17 targets over the past two weeks, and better than 80 yards in both games. Browns defense is not to be feared.
Replaceables
Jamaal Williams RB, Packers
Outside of huge Week 13 vs. Buccaneers, Williams has averaged just 3.2 per carry. Vikings are among the top six in fewest yards per attempt.
Marshawn Lynch RB, Raiders
Raiders’ offense has been struggling. Facing an Eagles team that ranks second in fewest points allowed to RBs. Don’t be comfortable putting fantasy title hopes in his hands if we can avoid it.
Marquise Goodwin WR, 49ers
Has been a nice late-season boost for many, and likely helped keep you alive in PPR leagues. Not this week, vs. the almighty Jaguars secondary.
Robby Anderson WR, Jets
Were you hoping his past connection with Bryce Petty would help Robby survive the QB downgrade? Nope. And now comes a more difficult matchup vs. the Chargers.
