Mikel LeShoure Out for the Season: Fantasy Impact
Detorit Lions rookie running back Mikel LeShoure has been lost for the season due to a torn Achilles.
LeShoure was making some serious waves in training camp and coach Jim Schwartz had already planned to employ a platoon at the running back position with Jahvid Best leading the way.
They even went as far as to say that LeShoure may get the starts against 4-3 defenses where a power back is likely to have more success than a speed back like Best.
Fantasy Impact:
Jahvid Best is the big winner with this breaking news as he is now the clear-cut number one runner in Detroit and will get all the work he can handle. Best flashed his game-breaking ability last year and can be a serious fantasy force if he makes it through a full season healthy. Upgrade him to a rock-solid RB2.
Jerome Harrison was plucked out of free agency after the Lions learned of LeShoure’s injury, and while he will not bring the same skill set to the table as LeShoure would have he will be able to spell Best and even fill in if Best goes down with an injury, making him a handcuff for Best owners.
Matthew Stafford also gets a slight upgrade in value as he will be throwing more now than he would have with LeShoure in the lineup. The slight upgrade can also be applied to wide receivers Nate Burleson and rookie Titus Young.