FANTASY FURNACE

Injuries were rampant in Week 2 and although some players might not miss all that much time, others are sending up a red flag to their owners to be mindful about handcuffing the next option. Take Reggie Bush for example. So far this season he has had a dislocated thumb, bruised hip, a groin strain and this past Sunday he injured his left knee after colliding with Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson.  Joique Bell was clearly the obvious pickup last week…

As this is going to publishing, all of the players below are owned in  28% of leagues (or less).

1. James Starks-RB-Packers-  In the opening minutes of the game Sunday, Eddie Lacy was hit straight on in a helmet-to-helmet play that  amazingly was not called by the officails. If ever a hit cried out for a penalty, given all the precautions that the NFL has taken lately, this was the one. He left the game and never returned, suffering from a concussion and could be out until after the Packers 4th week bye. Enter James Starks who merely ran for 132 yds. (the first Packer RB  to run for over 100 yards in 45 games!), plus 36 receiving yards.  Watch for reports on Lacy but consider grabbing Starks who is owned in just 11% of leagues.

#44 James Starks plows ahead for 7 of his 132 yards vs the Redskins on Sunday. Photo: (Mike Roemer/AP)

2. Eddie Royal-WR-Chargers- Out of literally nowhere, Royal had a resurgence on Sunday catching 7 passes for 90 yards to go along with 3 touchdowns.  He had 2 touchdowns in Week 1 so if you snatched him off of waivers after that performance you have to be pinching yourself by now! With Danario Alexander (knee) out for the year and Malcom Floyd (neck) going to the hospital Sunday, Royal instantly became Phillip Rivers’ favorite receiver. Although this kind of performance will be the exception and not the rule, in deeper and most mixed leagues Royal could prove very serviceable.  Available in 80% of leagues, Royal will surely be one of the most ADDS this week.

3. Charles Clay-TE-Dolphins- Clay had a breakout week vs the Colts in week 2 with 5 receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown. The TD coming on a one-yards rush as Clay often lines up at tight end as well as fullback. Offensive coordinator Mike Sherman said he’d like to get Clay more involved as a ballcarrier which is great news for Clay owners. The upstart Dolphins have begun the season 2-0 for the second time since 2002 and Clay, currently the ninth highest ranked TE in the league, has played a part in that feat . Owned in just 5% of leagues, Clay makes for a decent pickup in most leauges.

4. Kansas City Chiefs-DST- Very quietly, the reborn Chiefs are off to a 2-0 start for the first time, or so it seems, since Calvin Coolidge was president! However from a fantasy standpoint, there are a whole host of reasons why you should consider rostering their Defense and Special Team. Admittedly it’s early but did you know that K.C. has more fantasy points than any other team in the league? Or that their 16 points allowed is second only to Seattle? Now that we have your attention, the Chiefs are also in a 4-way tie in sacks with 9 to go along with their 2 INTs and 2 fumble recoveries. They may not be a play every week depending how they do over the next week or two, but remember the do play Oakland twice. Owned in just 18% of leagues they clearly warrant consideration.

#92 Chiefs Nose tackle Dontari Poe, who already has 3.5 sacks to his credit, levels Tony Romo after a small gain on Sunday. Photo: Peter Aiken/Getty Images

5. Garrett Hartley-K-Saints- Not someone who you should rush to pick up off of waivers right away but definitely take out a flier on the undrafted kicker now in his fifth year with the Saints. Currently Hartley is second in fantasy points to the Cowboys Dan Bailey and leads the league with a modest 6 field goals made. He has already nailed a 48 yarder and is 5-7 in his career from 50 yards & beyond. Hartley is 28% owned.