#Fixing your Miles Sanders, Raheem Mostert problems

Hello, fellow fantasy football carpoolers. We know, we hit some heavy traffic and construction delays early this season, including injuries to Miles Sanders and Raheem Mostert.

We navigated around those absences, found a way to stay in the hunt without going too far off course. We’re still on track to reach our fantasy playoff destination. We just escaped that jam and now we have plugged those guys back into our lineup recently and we’re back up to speed.

Oh, wait. Here comes another jam. More construction ahead. Mostert, who missed Weeks 3-4 with a knee issue, left Sunday’s game with an ankle injury and could miss more time. Sanders, who sat out Week 1 with a hamstring problem, is not expected to play Thursday due to a knee injury.

Neither situation has a clear-cut replacement from the same roster. Jerick McKinnon will get a boost in usage, but how much is uncertain. JaMycal Hasty— who? — was who the 49ers leaned on to close out the Rams on Sunday night.

Hasty got nine carries and 37 yards, compared to McKinnon’s 6-18. Both are roughly the same size (around 5-foot-9 and 205 pounds), but McKinnon has a career history of being used more in a third-down/passing-down type of role.

Though, before you make a hasty decision based on an incredibly small sample size, also understand Jeff Wilson Jr. could be back in the mix this week, and if Mostert misses extended time, Tevin Coleman is expected to return in the next few weeks.

You are unlikely to find McKinnon on waivers, so for immediate relief, Hasty might be the best option, but invest or bid as if he is just a possible one-week filler.

Sanders replacement is a bit less murky, if still uninspiring. Boston Scott got most of the work in Week 1, and a healthy dose of work last season when the lead backs were out. Expect that to happen again. The only other Eagles RB to have scored any fantasy points this season is Corey Clement, with just 0.7.

There is also Gus Edwards, who could get some extra carries if Mark Ingram misses time with a new ankle issue, though it isn’t thought to be serious. But even with extra work, Edwards still likely will be the third ground option for the Ravens — behind rookie J.K. Dobbins and QB Lamar Jackson.

You could plan for later, and scoop up Cam Akers or Leonard Fournette if they get cut, but that doesn’t help you this week. For additional help right now, you likely are going to need to look at trade options. Hopefully your team is strong at WR or has a top-flight tight end. If so, you could try to swing a deal for an affordable, underperforming RB who has a chance to rebound — think Kenyan Drake, Melvin Gordon or David Johnson.

Fighting through heavy traffic and moving at frustratingly slow speeds can be … um … frustrating. But don’t sell your team’s future for a short-term fix. Drive safely.

Tight spots

Dallas Goedert TE, Eagles

Zach Ertz is expected to miss up to a month. Though Goedert fractured his ankle in Week 3, he is eligible to return from the IR this week — but whether he plays Thursday vs. the Giants is highly questionable. Monitor his status and be ready to claim Richard Rodgers if you need immediate relief. Though, you should put Rodgers at the back end of multiple TE waiver claims.

Anthony Firsker TE, Titans

Worth picking up if you’re desperate at tight end, regardless of the status of Jonnu Smith’s ankle injury. However, if Smith misses time, Firsker becomes a primary target.

Trey Burton TE, Colts

Burton seemed on the verge of breaking out a couple of years back in Chicago before a catastrophic leg injury. With Jack Doyle over the hill and Mo Alie-Cox inconsistent, Burton could emerge as a steady weapon.

Claims to fame

Justin Herbert QB, Chargers

It is shocking to see his ownership level still hovering at or below the 50 percent mark. Has topped 20-point barrier in three of four games. And three of his next four are against the Jaguars, Raiders and Jets.

Jalen Reagor WR, Eagles

The rookie has been on the shelf with a broken thumb but is slated to come off injured reserve soon. Monitor his status for Thursday, but could be solid addition, on a team in desperate need for WRs. He had four targets in each of his first two games.

Tee Higgins WR, Bengals

Initially, after a two-TD Week 3 breakout, worries were he would be too TD-dependent. But he hasn’t scored since, yet has been turning out fantasy production. Now we’re on flip side of those TD concerns: He should be scoring more.