Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger had surgery to repair his left knee on Monday. Roethlisberger's return timeframe is uncertaim, but head coach Mike Tomlin said, "we are confident this injury is not long-term."
The Steelers have a bye following their Week 7 matchup with the Patriots, and there's been some speculation that Roethlisberger might return in Week 9. Even if that's not the case, make sure that the scary idea of knee surgery doesn't prompt you to cut Roethlisberger.
Some have pointed out Antonio Brown's diminished production when Roethlisberger was out of the lineup in 2015. However, Michael Vick was the Steelers' quarterback more than Landry Jones in those situations. In Jones' one full game, Brown had six catches for 124 yards. Brown's fantasy football owners should certainly be disappointed in the injury news, but you're still starting him if you've got him.
How to replace Big Ben in fantasy football? How about Colin Kaepernick, who gets another start this week? Kaepernick was QB16 in FOXSports.com fantasy scoring thanks to 66 rushing yards vs. the Bills. If you need a replacement for Roethlisberger or Cam Newton (bye), you could do worse than Kaepernick against the Bucs at home. Kapernick is better in fantasy than in real life, and that's fine with us.
In other news ...
Bucs RB Doug Martin (hamstring) had been targeting a post-bye return, but he did not practice on Monday. We probably won't know more about Martin's status until Wednesday, so Jacquizz Rodgers (owned in 12.7 percent of FOXSports.com leagues) remains an interesting free-agent target.
For fantasy purposes, Monday's Jets-Cardinals snoozer was David Johnson and a bunch of guys who didn't help anyone. Ryan Fitzpatrick was yanked in favor of Geno Smith, but head coach Todd Bowles said after the game that Fitzpatrick will start against the Ravens in Week 7.
Browns WR Terrelle Pryor is having hamstring issues, but Cleveland.com beat writer Mary Kay Cabot writes that "knowing how much the Browns need him, he'll undoubtedly play in Cincinnati."
Remember your byes: The Cowboys and Panthers are off this week. Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said Monday that Tony Romo won't practice this week, making it unlikely that he'll play in Week 8, per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. WR Dez Bryant (knee) has stated his intention to return for that game.
No word yet on the status of injured Lions' runners Theo Riddick and Dwayne Washington.
Patriots RB Dion Lewis (knee) is eligible to come off the PUP list this week, but the team might proceed cautiously. And speaking of the Pats, here's an interesting article about how Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett were used together on Sunday.
The Packers will host the Bears on Thursday, but will they have any skill players? Besides Jeff Janis, I mean. Monday's practice didn't include Eddie Lacy (ankle), Randall Cobb (back), Davante Adams (concussion) and James Starks (knee surgery). Lacy and Cobb will probably be ready to go Thursday night, but Starks will be out for awhile and Adams seems unlikely to play.
We should get a Jordan Reed concussion update from the Redskins on Wednesday.
It sounds like we're in for another week of waiting on Raider RB Latavius Murray (toe). Head coach Jack Del Rio was non-committal about Murray's status on Monday.
Dolphins RB Arian Foster was still limited by his groin injury on Sunday, which is why Jay Ajayi got enough work to rush for 7,000 yards against the Steelers. Look for Ajayi to remain Miami's lead back for now, with Foster getting third-down work.
Bears WR Cameron Meredith, who caught 11 passes for 113 yards on Sunday, is still available in 80 percent of FOXSports.com leagues. Check out this stat, which should make Meredith owners happy (and Alshon Jeffery owners miserable):
Colts TE Dwayne Allen sprained an ankle on Sunday night, and his status is TBD.
Good luck with your free-agent pickups - tweet me (@jhalpin37) if you have any questions.
