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Buffaloed: NFL.com’s Albert Breer reports Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson will miss three to four weeks with a right knee injury. Just when fantasy football owners thought he was back in the fold, he leaves them scrambling for help. For those in the 10.20 percent of leagues who can still snatch C.J. Spiller off the waiver wire, do it now. For the rest of you, owners who picked Spiller likely did so as their No. 3 or 4 RB selection. In other words, they might need help at other positions you’re strong in. Offer them another player in the same range and try to secure the Clemson product immediately. Sucker them in by telling them how Jackson will return and Spiller’s value will be worthless. Why not get a sure thing instead of a temporary fix. Once you get him, relish the fact that the Bills coaching staff has been high on Spiller after his performances down the stretch last year in Jackson’s absence, and had plans to make this a timeshare anyway. From weeks 12-17 in 2011, Spiller racked up 633 total yards and five touchdowns. Well worth the price you have to pay.

Can C.J. Spiller re-create last season’s success? (Mel Evans/Associated Press)

Carolina blues: After totaling just ten rushing yards against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton felt his own errors were “disgusting.” Despite tossing two interceptions, the Auburn product did amass 303 yards and a score to finish with 12.52 fantasy points. For owners who selected him expecting big things, this was not the start they hoped for. His four yards rushing against the Bucs is his career low. In 2011, his worst rushing game also came in Week 1 when he pedaled for just 18 yards, but did notch a rushing score. After that, he never dipped below 27 yards on the ground and never attempted fewer than six rushes. Newton did work on becoming a better pocket passer in the offseason, so this will be something fantasy owners should watch in case he’s committed to the new discipline. Either way, you’re not jumping off the Cam bandwagon, but if he is bent on making passing a priority, it could put a bit of a damper on his fantasy expectations.

Low bird: Another player who got off to a slow start was Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick. Against the Cleveland Browns, Vick mustered 317 passing yards to go with 32 yards rushing and two scores. The eyesore was his four interceptions which negated most of his work. The end result was still a decent 15.88 fantasy points, which is far from expected, but was not as poor as a host of other fantasy QBs. Unlike Cam Newton, the rushing yards were there as was the passing. Matt Stafford threw for three picks, but are you worried about him? No. Vick was expect to be a high-risk, high-reward play and if this is one of his high-risk days then he will make many owners happy. Don’t bail on any of your starting players after just a week or you could be making a major mistake.

-Adrian Mojica
Follow on Twitter @FFFdaily

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