National Football League

FANTASY PLAYS: Replacing Roethlisberger, grabbing Ajayi

Published Oct. 18, 2016 7:56 p.m. ET

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It's not often a running back coming off a 204-yard rushing day is on the fantasy football waiver wire. Buy Jay Ajayi of the Dolphins is still available in many leagues after surprising with a big day against the Steelers. Ben Roethlisberger was the biggest injury of the week, but there are enough quarterback options in most leagues to fill in.

Here are the players to consider adding off the waiver wire:

MARCUS MARIOTA (QB, Titans)

Mariota has thrown three touchdowns in two consecutive games, including 284 passing yards against the Browns in Week 6. Mariota is running more with seven carries for 60 yards with a touchdown in Week 5 and he rushed for 64 yards on seven carries Sunday. Mariota will face the Colts, Jaguars and Chargers the next three weeks.

BRIAN HOYER (QB, Bears)

Hoyer has topped 300-yards passing in four straight games and will face the Packers Thursday night. The Packers could be missing three defensive backs.

JAY AJAYI (RB, Dolphins)

Arian Foster appeared to be the main back to begin the season and not surprisingly he got injured in Week 2. Then the Dolphins rotated four running backs. Ajayi has been the best one and exploded for 204 rushing yards on 25 carries and two touchdowns against the Steelers Sunday when the Dolphins had a healthy offensive line. It's still difficult to fully trust Ajayi since Foster will still be in the mix, but he's worth an add to see if the Dolphins finally commit to Ajayi.

CHRIS IVORY (RB, Jaguars)

T.J. Yeldon was supposed to be the feature back in the offense this week and Ivory had 13 touches compared to seven for Yeldon. Ivory had 11 carries for 32 yards and scored a touchdown and caught two passes for three yards, while Yeldon had six carries for 21 yards with a five-yard catch. This is not a great backfield and they could play the hot hand, but Ivory was brought in to help near the goal line and he was dealing with an illness the first few weeks. Ivory is worth an add to stash running back depth. Yeldon played 37 snaps to 24 for Ivory.

JACQUIZZ RODGERS (RB, Buccaneers)

Rodgers is coming off a bye and will play a secondary role to Doug Martin, who is slated to return from a hamstring injury in Week 7. Rodgers had 35 touches for 129 yards in Week 5. Rodgers will see some targets in the passing game and get a few carries, making him more valuable in point-per-reception formats.

MIKE GILLISLEE (RB, Bills)

Gillislee is the backup to LeSean McCoy and a good handcuff or add in deeper formats as a stash. He had six carries for 60 yards with a touchdown on Sunday.

DWAYNE WASHINGTON (RB, Lions)

The Lions running game has been bad all year. Washington has a chance to seize a roll in which he can get 8-12 touches per game since no one has stepped up while he has missed two weeks with an injury.

CAMERON MEREDITH (WR, Bears)

Once again, Meredith was a favorite target of quarterback Brian Hoyer in Week 6. Meredith caught 11 passes for 113 yards on 15 targets. He has 27 targets the last two weeks, catching 20 passes for 243 yards with a touchdown.

KENNY BRITT (WR, Rams)

Britt has been one of the biggest surprises. He has scored at least double digit points in PPR formats in five of six games. He is averaging 16.4 yards per catch and had seven catches for 136 yards with two touchdowns on eight targets in Week 6.

TY MONTGOMERY (WR, Packers)

Montgomery was used out of the backfield with the Packers short on running backs and Eddie Lacy playing through injury in Week 6. Montgomery caught 10 of 12 targets for 98 yards and had three carries for six yards. The Packers play Thursday night and Montgomery could play a big role again either out of the backfield or at receiver with Davante Adams dealing with a concussion.

KENDALL WRIGHT (WR, Titans)

Wright came out of nowhere to catch eight passes for 133 yards with a touchdown even though he didn't play many snaps. Wright caught 94 passes in 2013, but don't spend a high pick or a lot of free agent aquisition money on a player in a conservative offense.

CAMERON BRATE (TE, Buccaneers)

Brate could have been dropped since he was on a bye last week. He's a good streaming option and the Buccaneers have a favorable schedule the next three games with the 49ers, Raiders and Falcons. Brate has five receptions in two of the last three games.

HUNTER HENRY (TE, Chargers)

Henry still has a lot of value even with Antonio Gates around. Henry has 24 targets over the last four games and caught 18 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns. Gates will still get some red zone targets, but Henry will be a pivotal piece in the offense.

JACK DOYLE (TE, Colts)

Dwayne Allen has an ankle injury and Doyle will get more targets while Allen is out. The Colts use the tight end a lot in the offense and Doyle has caught 20 of 23 passes. Allen left the game early on Sunday night and Doyle caught four passes for 53 yards with a touchdown.

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This column was provided to The Associated Press by the Fantasy Sports Network, http://FNTSY.com

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