Here is a quick recap of injuries suffered by some viable fantasy football players during the third Sunday of 2014 NFL regular season action.
Keep in mind that the severity of some of these injuries won't be completely known until later in the week, but keep an eye on the waiver wire in order to plan for the worst-case scenario should you own one of these players.
Matt Cassel, Quarterback, Minnesota Vikings
Cassell suffered several fractured bones in his foot in Minnesota's loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday and is likely going to be lost for a vast majority of the season. Rookie Teddy Bridgewater replaced Cassel in the lineup and completed 12-of-20 passes for 150 yards without a touchdown or an interception.
Realistically, Cassel wasn't much more than a bottom-tier QB2 option when he was under center, probably just outside of the top 25 among quarterbacks. Bridgewater, who will likely remain the starter for the remainder of the season, isn't much more valuable at this point. But it's important to note that the rookie offers much more upside, which makes him a decent waiver-wire claim in re-draft leagues.
Danny Woodhead, Running Back, San Diego Chargers
Woodhead, who was prepared to get a ton of touches with Ryan Mathews slated to miss the next five weeks or so, suffered a disastrous high-ankle sprain and fractured fibula on Sunday. The injury will cost Woodhead the remainder of the season and could put the rest of his career in question. That's how severe it was.
With both Mathews and Woodhead out of action, Donald Brown becomes an immediate waiver-wire possibility come Tuesday morning. He touched the ball 31 times on the ground on Sunday and should see his fair share ot touches moving forward. Brown becomes an immediate FLEX option moving forward until Mathews returns.
T.Y. Hilton, Wide Receiver, Indianapolis Colts
Hilton suffered an ankle injury in Indianapolis' blowout win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, but the team doesn't think it's too serious. As a mid-tier FLEX option through three weeks, this is most definitely something to keep an eye on moving forward in the week. Based on how your roster looks, Hilton might be a short-term bench player, especially with the emergence of Hakeem Nicks and presence of Reggie Wayne.
Rod Streater, Wide Receiver, Oakland Raiders
Streater suffered a foot fracture on Sunday and it's unknown whether he will able able to return this season. As one of the Raiders most potent receiving options, this hurts owners with teams in deeper leagues. But make no mistake about it, Streater wasn't more than a bottom-tier bench option in standard 12-team leagues to begin with. Keep an eye on youngster Andre Holmes, who just leveled up a notch on the Raiders depth chart.
Dennis Pitta, Tight End, Baltimore Ravens
Such unfortunate news coming out of Baltimore as it relates to Pitta, who apparently suffered a season-ending hip injury on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. Now lost for the season, fantasy owners are going to have to scramble to find a TE2 option while elevating their regular backup to the TE1 position. While Owen Daniels might not be able to replace Pitta's production, he becomes an immediate waiver-wire add.