The NFL collectively held its breath and put forward a full slate of games less regularly scheduled bye weeks. Setting line-ups was only normally frustrating without several studs on both sides of the ball who were off for Week 6.
Those leaving the field with injuries sustained in Week 6 include Steelers’ LB Devin Bush, who is lost for 2020 with a torn ACL, Panthers’ safety Juston Burris, Packers’ safety Darnell Savage, and two Eagles: DT Malik Jackson and safety K’Von Wallace. Sorry, Philly fans, I was not trolling you with the comment about injury regression!
The players recommended below are available in at least two-thirds of IDP leagues on MyFantasyLeague.com (MFL). Recommendations are position-specific for lineup requirements including cornerbacks and defensive tackles unless noted otherwise.
Malik Jackson, DT – Philadelphia Eagles
No, I didn’t forget that quickly that Jackson got hurt in Week 6. He left the game with a quad injury that threatens his availability for a Thursday night tilt versus the Giants. His injury ensures the cost of acquiring his services on the fantasy waiver wire will be minimal.
Jackson was a lynchpin in the middle of the 2017 Jaguars defense that nearly carried them to a Super Bowl. He became a salary-cap casualty in 2018 and lost nearly all of 2019 to injury.
He is enjoying a late-career resurgence on a perennially effective Philadelphia defensive line. He’s tied for fifth in quarterback hits (11) among defenders league-wide.
His upcoming schedule includes a date with Dallas who, like Philadelphia, is onto its second-string offensive line. He should return from a Week 9 bye for a second shot at the anemic Giants’ offense.
Melvin Ingram, DE – Los Angeles Chargers
Perennial DE2 Melvin Ingram suffered a knee injury in Week 2 that resulted in his placement on the injured/reserved list. He’s getting healthy while the Chargers’ other primary pass-rushers, Joey Bosa and Uchenna Nwosu struggle to play through minor injuries of their own.
Ingram has collected at least seven quarterback sacks for five consecutive years. Despite the emergence of Nwosu and potentially reduced playing time, he’s a reasonable bet to keep his streak alive. His frequent appearance on waiver wires suggests that too many fantasy gamers have given up on him in favor of pedestrian pass-rushers like Romeo Okwara or John Simon.
Robert Spillane, LB – Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin preempted any mystery as to who would replace Devin Bush going forward at linebacker. Tomlin told reporters post-game that Robert Spillane “more than answered the bell” replacing Bush. Spillane took every snap and called plays for the defense after Bush’s injury.
Like a good MIKE linebacker, Spillane and his running mate Vince Williams put the hammer down on Browns tight end Austin Hooper. Week 6 mirage Anthony Firkser of the Titans won’t likely run circles around the Steelers the way he did versus the Texans in Week 7’s big showdown of undefeated teams.
Tae Crowder, LB – New York Giants
The Giants surprisingly cut second-year linebacker Ryan Connelly in August. The decision opened a question of who would play inside linebacker next to Blake Martinez in New York. Tae Crowder emerged in Week 6 as a nearly full-time player and scored a touchdown off a turnover.
Crowder played well ahead of David Mayo, a veteran who seemed likely to play a part-time role at middle linebacker before a preseason injury. Crowder, a seventh-round selection in the 2020 NFL draft, missed four tackles against Washington. Time will tell if Mayo is merely working back from injury or whether coaches will have patience with the rookie.
In Closing
The presence of two accomplished thirty-something veterans on waiver wires this late in the season could represent a windfall for fantasy gamers. Young receivers are breaking out all over the league. Thirst for the league’s next stars is strong. Pass-rush skills, however, take years to develop. Ingram and Jackson haven’t forgotten how to do it. Both can be successful in roles playing roughly 60% of their teams’ defensive snaps. They’re great match-up based options on fantasy teams.
Clemson and Michigan alum…Panthers and Cowboys fan…I try to see both sides of every debate and each trade. Find me on Twitter @DynastyTripp.
