Just this past week, I published a piece here on Fans First Sports Network about how the injury to Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard left a BIG HOLE on my fantasy team. In this piece, I colorfully explained how this turn of events was going to tank my Fantasy Football Championship match-up, and that it would be the end of my dynasty as we know it.

Well, as an update to that piece…I can tell you all that I am still very much alive in this race. As of writing this article, I am sitting 21 points behind my opponent, and I still have the final week of the season to make something happen.

One of the issues that I have though is…well…

Cardinals placed RB James Conner on IR and elevated RB Michael Carter to the active roster from the practice squad.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 1, 2025

It’s the fact that the 2nd leading scorer on my team has ALSO fallen victim to the “IR bug.” It’s that James Conner, the leading RB on the Arizona Cardinals, has been SHUT DOWN for the final week of the season. Two running backs, in two weeks, go down during championship week(s)…and I find myself in a PIT OF DESPAIR.

It’s a GOD-AWFUL moment for me as a fantasy manager, and something that I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy. This is one of those cheesy sports moments where someone in the locker room needs to take charge, and galvanize the troops. The vibes couldn’t be any lower at the moment. It’s not a great spot to be in.

But the question that’s on everyone’s mind is…where do we go from here? How do we “fix” this issue? How do we give my team, and the teams around the world, the best chance to win?

Well, this late in the season…..there’s not a lot to choose from, when it comes to replacements. As I said in my previous article; if you have to hop in the waiver wire during the playoffs, then you’re basically scraping the bottom of the barrel. You’re basically shopping the bargain bin at Ross, hoping for a gem.

Take Clyde Edwards-Helaire (who I will probably be going with), for example. Helaire, for those of you who are unaware, is a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs. He’s been in the league for a bit. But NOW……he’s a backup back for the New Orleans Saints, who “should” get a healthy amount of carries this week, with Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller being questionable.

That’s the good news.

The BAD NEWS is that he will be facing a desperate Tampa Bay Buccaneers squad, who is fighting for the division title. They will be facing a stout Bucs front, who is top-5 in rush yards given up per game (99.9). So even though CEH is projected to score 10.1 points on Sunday…it’s going to need to come from him finding the endzone. If not, then he may just end up becoming a space-filler on your roster.

Not only that, you could also take a chance on WR Kayshon Boutte of the New England Patriots. Sure, this would be if you’re SUPER desperate. Sure, this will only work out if Boutte and QB Drake Maye play a healthy amount in their game against the Buffalo Bills.

There’s a lot of “what ifs” and what not with this selection. But with Boutte only being rostered in 6.1% of leagues on ESPN Fantasy…..I think it’s safe to say that he’ll be available. Personally, I don’t need to pick him up. I still have Jaylen Warren (72.7% rostered) to fill out the rest of my lineup. But if you need SOMEONE to get you through the final week of the season…Boutte may (sadly) have to be the play.

Now, in the end…will this article apply to everyone? No! Not every league goes until the VERY END of the regular season. So the thought of dealing with an injury like this in Week 18 may seem “foreign” to some folks. But for the rest of us who are still fighting for a title…..I think it’s safe to say that an injury like Conner’s is a BIG BLOW!

It sucks! Like the great Ron Burgundy said; “I’M IN A GLASS CASE OF EMOTION!!!” It’s not the way that I wanted to start my new year, and it’s a situation that I will be SWEATING OVER through the rest of the weekend.

It will be a fight! Wish me well! But as always, what do I know? I’m just a guy from the Midwest, with a beer and a laptop, trying to make sense of this world.