You know the feeling when you find an old, forgotten bill in your newly washed jeans? That sense of victory and gain, or a reward not exactly earned, but appreciated nonetheless.
Well, if you grabbed Percy Harvin or Jonathan Stewart off your fantasy league waiver wire in recent weeks, you know that feeling.
Harvin in particular has the potential to be a roster-changing fantasy addition — the kind of guy who pushes a Vincent Jackson or Larry Fitzgerald out of your regular lineup.
The catch with Harvin is that he suffered a setback last week in his recovery from a hip injury. He was slated to start Monday night before the flare up. His status for this week is murky. Once he does return, allow him at least one game before plugging him in your lineup.
Stewart, on the other hand, is more likely to see his first action of the season Sunday, coming off injuries to his ankles. With DeAngelo Williams nursing a quad injury, Stewart took first-team snaps during practice this week and was removed from the PUP list Friday.
Stewart has averaged 4.7 yards per carry across his career, and has excelled in the past in the feature role with Williams out. His more bruising running style also makes him a better goal-line option than Williams, though Mike Tolbert and Cam Newton vulture touchdowns regardless.
It also is wise to keep your eye on the status of Andre Brown and David Wilson. Particularly Brown, who has not visited coach Tom Coughlin’s doghouse as frequently as Wilson, could make an immediate impact upon his return — which could come in Week 10, after the bye.
Based on Wilson’s early-season performance, don’t expect him to solve your RB woes, but Brown could produce some TDs, and send Peyton Hillis and Brandon Jacobs to fantasy purgatory.
Doug Martin’s status is iffy, plus his performance was underwhelming before the team put itself in quarterback chaos. Shane Vereen isn’t eligible to return until Week 11, and when he does come back he will be part of a committee.
Mario Manningham may make his season debut for the 49ers in Week 10 against the Panthers, but our expectations are minimal. Michael Crabtree could play later next month, so he could be a boost for playoff-bound teams.
BIG WEEKS
Alex Smith, QB, Chiefs, at Bills
Buffalo has allowed 11 passing TDs in its past three games and four 300-yard passers this season.
Le’Veon Bell, RB, Steelers, at Patriots
Hasn’t wowed with yards per carry, but he gets plenty of opportunities. Pats have yet to hold an opposing backfield to fewer than 10 fantasy points this season.
Denarius Moore, WR, Raiders, vs. Eagles
Faces an Eagles defense that is the second-most generous toward opposing fantasy WRs. Moore has at least 80 yards and a TD in three games this year, and this should make four.
Jared Cook, TE, Rams, vs. Titans
Expect coach Jeff Fisher to give Cook an opportunity to rack up some numbers against their former team.
SMALL WEAKS
Andrew Luck, QB, Colts, at Texans
Houston may be a team in disarray, but the pass defense has been sound. The Texans have allowed just one QB to pass for more than 200 yards this season.
Steven Jackson, RB, Falcons, at Panthers
You’ve waited all this time for Jackson, yet he should remain on your bench. Carolina has yielded just one 100-yard rushing game this year and just two TDs on the ground to opposing RBs.
Vincent Jackson, WR, Buccaneers, at Seahawks
A bad team with a rookie QB making a cross-country trek to the most difficult outdoor venue in the league to face one of the best defenses. Chances of a big day are slim.
Half of his eight career TD grabs came last week. He has scored in each of the past three games, but Miami boasts the second-toughest defense vs. opposing fantasy WRs.
Chicago, DEF/ST, Bears, at Packers
With a backup QB, the Bears’ offense will struggle to stay on the field, tiring its defense against the powerful Packers offense.
The Decision – Cam Newton vs. Robert Griffin III
Drew Loftis and Steve Serby debate whom you should start this week:
Loftis: Newton — The Falcons have given up multiple passing TDs in every game this season. Cam is rolling, with six passing TDs and two rushing scores with no INTs the past three games. Had a combined four TD passes, no picks and more than 200 rushing yards and two TDs on the ground in two games vs. the Falcons last season. And RG3, who hasn’t looked the same this year, faces a Chargers pass defense that has been much stingier the past two games.
Serby: Griffin —RG3 predictably has been a shell of his rookie self following offseason ACL surgery, and he’s come under fire this week as an entitled underachiever, who is deficient as a pocket passer. But the emergence of TE Jordan Reed is bound to open things up for Pierre Garçon, and with RG3 growing more confidence in his legs, this is a good time to point out that mobile quarterbacks such as Jake Locker (23-37, 299 yards, one TD, 5-68 rushing, one TD ) and Terrelle Pryor (18-23-221, two TDs, 11-31 rushing) have riddled the Chargers defense.
Last week: Serby 13 (Terrance Williams — 64 receiving yards, one TD, 5 rushing yards); Loftis 3 (Justin Blackmon — 31 receiving yards, minus-1 rushing yard)