It’s an annual rite of passage in fantasy leagues: Once the byes are over, you shed the extra roster baggage.
That extra defense you were carrying to mix and match and sub for off weeks, you trimmed that spot to pick up an extra receiver. That spare kicker you tacked on just for the bye, you get rid of him in favor of an additional running back. That extra tight end who was an unnecessary luxury, maybe you cut him, too.
And now you’re stuck with Jermaine Gresham, Kyle Rudolph, Greg Olsen or Dustin Keller, who enter the weekend as questionable. Maybe you even rolled the dice on an Antonio Gates rebound and it has bitten you in the backside. Perhaps Vernon Davis has been dragging down your squad.
For any number of reasons, you are looking to the thin, late-season waiver wire for tight end help. Luckily there still are a couple worthwhile options on the waiver wire, even this late in the season.
A quick fix that could last a couple weeks is Baltimore’s Dennis Pitta. He is owned in just 30 percent of ESPN leagues, and this week he faces a Redskins defense that struggles against the pass and gives up the most fantasy points to tight ends. And only the Redskins are more generous to tight ends than the Broncos, who Pitta and the Ravens face next week. But come Week 16 vs. the Giants, you will need to find a better matchup.
Another option this week is Martellus Bennett of the Giants. After a hot start, he virtually disappeared for eighth games. But he jumped back on the radar last week, with his first score since Week 3. With matchups against the Saints this week and the Falcons next, the Giants are going to need to score, which means a heavy air attack, and more targets for Bennett.
BIG WEEKS
Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens, at Redskins
Washington’s strong effort last week was more a product of Giants’ mistakes than stellar defense. The Redskins rank 28th in fantasy points allowed to opposing QBs.
Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Giants, vs. Saints
With TD-vulture Andre Brown out, Bradshaw is in line to get goal-line carries, to go with what should be a nice yardage total against the league’s worst run defense.
Pierre Garcon, WR, Redskins, vs. Ravens
When he plays, and is healthy, Garcon has been strong — and he appears healthy this week vs. a beat-up Ravens defense. Baltimore has shown weakness against some of the league’s better passing attacks.
Browns, DEF/ST, vs. Chiefs
Available in most leagues. Expect a Kansas City letdown, after an emotional win last week following tragedy. Cleveland has three games this season with three or more INTs, and just two weeks ago forced eighth turnovers vs. the Steelers.
SMALL WEAKS
Cam Newton, QB, Panthers, vs. Falcons
The past two weeks, he has been the beast many thought they were getting in the draft, and he hasn’t thrown a pick in three games. Looks like he is overdue for a stinker.
Stevan Ridley, RB, Patriots, vs. Texans
Houston has given up more than 100 yards rushing just once (in garbage time vs. Titans in Week 4) and just two rushing TDs (both vs. the Lions).
Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals, at Seahawks
Cardinals passing attack, even with John Skelton replacing Ryan Lindley, worse than past two visitors to Seattle, Vikings and Jets, who tallied a combined 11 catches for 99 yards and no TDs.
Texans, DEF/ST, at Patriots
The Texans defense ranks among the league’s best in fantasy production, but it has shown cracks recently. In the two games preceding last week’s stifling of the Titans, Houston was shredded by the Lions and, gulp, Jaguars.
The Decision
Drew Loftis and Anthony Sulla-Heffinger tell you who you should start:
MATT SCHAUB vs. TONY ROMO
Drew: Schaub — He has thrown for more than 300 yards in two of the past three, and faces the Patriots’ sorry pass defense. But this is more about a lack of trust in Romo, who is on the road, in December, against a Bengals air defense that has allowed just 13 passing TDs and has generated a league-high 39 sacks. Smells like a Terrible Tony Sunday.
Anthony: Romo — Us Tonys have to stick together! Want in on a little secret? Romo has been stellar over his past five games, throwing for 1,587 yards, 10 TDs and just two INTs. Sure, Cincinnati has been superb against the passing attack this season, but look at the QBs it has faced. With the exception of Eli Manning, when the Bengals play even a halfway decent QB, they don’t fare very well.
Last week: Drew 18 (Adrian Peterson — 210 rush yards, 1 TD, 10 receiving yards), Anthony 5 (Chris Johnson — 51 rush yards, 20 receiving yards, 1 fumble lost)
Season: Drew leads, 7-4-1
dloftis@nypost.com