Rising Workloads

This past weekend, we saw many players get injured during their games in the NFL. Whether it be a broken bone or dislocated finger, these will affect playing time for most of these players. This can also greatly affect team's chances of making it to the playoffs depending on how long the players may be ruled out.

Here are some of the players or groups that will need to step-up in order to keep their teams afloat until their players return to full form:

Dallas Cowboy's Receivers

The loss of Dez Bryant for the next 4-12 weeks will be a huge burden to place on Tony Romo. Without Dez, there is no true outside threat to stop the defense from attack the running backs. The responsibility is now placed on a group of young wide outs and one veteran tight end, Jason Witten. While Romo did lead the Cowboys on their game-winning drive last weekend over the Giants without Dez Bryant, this was against a team that was ranked 29 in total defense in 2014 and was without it's best player, Jason Paul-Pierre.

The Cowboys' next games are at the Eagles, Falcons, at Saints, Patriots. For this schedule, it could be likely to see Dallas go either 4-0 or 0-4.

Jason Babin, LB, Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens lost their Pro-Bowl Linebacker, Terrell Suggs, to a torn achilles this past weekend against the Broncos. With injuries at every position for the Ravens, they signed the 11-year veteran Jason Babin to fill Suggs' role.

The Ravens have always been known for having a stout defense due to the leadership of Ray Lewis for the better part of Baltimore's history. After his departure after the 2013 Super Bowl win, the leadership defaulted to Suggs and Ngata. With Ngata now in Detroit and Suggs on the sideline, this vet needs to come in and be the new face of fear in the Ravens' defense.

Chris Johnson and David Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals

Andre Ellington was injured this past weekend against the Saints and will now be out for the next four weeks. This is the perfect time for the Cardinals to get a look at two new commodities in their offense's run game.

Chris Johnson has been looking for his second wind ever since leaving Tennessee in 2013. A former 2,000 yard-rusher in his second year, Johnson saw over 1,000 yards every other season in Tennessee. After his one year stay with the Jets, Johnson was released. This past April, Johnson was injured in a drive-by shooting in Orlando. Johnson is ready to show that he is still the running back he used to be.

David Johnson on the other hand is looking for a chance to showcase what he is all about. In recent fantasy posts, Matthew Berry has said that David Johnson will likely have the starting job by the end of the season in Arizona. While most people who were thinking that would mean during the middle of the season, that plan has now changed. Will this Northern Iowa product replace Ellington and Chris Johnson?

Donte Moncrief, WR, Indianapolis Colts

TY Hilton was injured this past weekend when the Colts took on the Bills. Hilton has a "bruise on his knee" and day-to-day. He is likely to sit out this week against the Jets. Enter Moncrief. Last year, Moncrief became a reliable WR3 for Andrew Luck towards the end of the season. He is small and fast, much like Hilton.

With Andre Johnson on the outside and a double tight end set with Fleener and Allen, look for Moncrief to play the slot and get many targets in the middle of the field until Hilton is back at top form.