San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews leaves the game on a cart after being injured while playing the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Injuries happen in fantasy football. It is the main reason fantasy experts continuously tell owners to make sure they handcuff (draft the backup) their No. 1 running back. But I can’t ever remember a week of injuries/unforeseen circumstances that have cost so many owners their first- or second-round draft choice.

The player you take in the first round is supposed to be the risk-free guaranteed guy to get you at least 15 points per week but you expect 20-plus per outing.

Here are three guys taken in the first round of our 14-team Dereliction League draft: Jamaal Charles, Adrian Peterson, A.J. Green.

Their combined point totals from Sunday?

Zero.

It began with the sudden news late Saturday night that Adrian Peterson would not be active for the next day’s game because of off-field issues.

That was just the first shot across the bow, so to speak, for owners.

At least there was enough time for Peterson owners to scramble to the waiver wire and pick up Matt Asiata. (For those who didn’t know Matt Asiata existed before last week, you are probably not alone. Except for Vikings fans, I doubt many knew who Peterson’s backup was. Asiata registered 44 carries for 166 yards and three touchdowns combined last season and had 10 yards rushing in Minnesota’s week-one blowout win over St. Louis.

Then Sunday’s early games kicked off and the injuries began.

Green (my first-round pick) made it through one series before leaving with a toe injury and did not return.

He was just the start.

In Buffalo, Knowshon Moreno was on the sidelines after one carry for four yards. In Jacksonville, Toby Gearhart had seven carries for eight yards before being withdrawn with a foot injury. In Cleveland, New Orleans Saints’ Mark Ingram was having a very productive day before a hand injury took him out.

Then there were the afternoon games and injuries to Ryan Matthews (actually, that is not that much of a surprise; Matthews always seems to get injured), Doug Martin (again, not a surprise) and the biggest one of the day: Charles.

In my matchup, I was without Green, but the team I played — “Dez” — lost both Charles and Matthews. Others had to step up and thankfully Demarco Murray’s performance overcame a brutal four-turnover effort by my quarterback Colin Kaepernick. But I still needed Jeremy Maclin’s late touchdown on Monday night to hold off a late charge by Team Dez’s quarterback, Andrew Luck.

Anyway, I am 2-0, but others in my league were not as lucky as injuries and subpar performances from first rounders like Eddie Lacy (13-43, 6 pts) and Matt Forte (12-21, 5 pts) hurt their chances.

All of this means ABW (Always Be Working) is more important than ever. Stay on top of the waiver wire and trading block to ABW to improve your team.

 

These guys should be on your roster right now if they are available

Knile Davis, RB, Kansas City — Davis finished with 22 carries for 79 yards and 2 TDs; also had 6 catches for 26 yards playing for injured Charles in Week 2. He is the must-ad of the week.

Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Indianapolis Colts — I mentioned him last week and hopefully he is still there for you to grab. He may be listed as the backup but he keeps out-producing the starter. Last week Bradshaw finished with 13 rushes for 70 yards and had 5 receptions for 26 yards and 2 TDs.

Delanie Walker, TE, Tennessee — Walker has blossomed into the go-to guy for the Titans passing game. Last week against the Cowboys he had 10 catches for 142 yards and a touchdown. He has scored a touchdown in both of Tennessee’s games.

James Jones, WR, Oakland — Yes, the Raiders are a disaster but Jones keeps putting up numbers. He has caught a touchdown in both of Oakland’s games and put up 112 yards on nine receptions last week in a loss to Houston.

Wes Welker, WR, Denver — If he is on your waiver wire because someone dropped him two weeks ago with his suspension, go pick him up now. His suspension has been lifted and will excel again with Peyton Manning.

 

Starts of the Week

Note: These are not the obvious choices. Anyone can tell you to play Peyton Manning or LeSean McCoy as the start of the week each week.

Running Back: Demarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Rams) — The Cowboys are running the football, but even when Dallas wasn’t, Murray has a history of torching the Rams. In his rookie season in 2011, one in which Murray had yet to really break out, Murray exploded for 253 yards rushing and a touchdown against St. Louis. The teams did not play in 2012, but last season, Murray reacquainted himself with the Rams with 175 yards rushing and a touchdown. In baseball, sometimes a hitter just owns a certain pitcher. Well, these numbers show how much Murray owns the Rams and that should continue on Sunday. I estimate 125 yards and a touchdown.

Quarterback: Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers (vs. Bills) — Opponents have thrown for 590 yards and three touchdowns in two games thus far. Rivers must be licking his chops after racking up 522 yards and 4 TDs already against Arizona and Seattle. I estimate 325 yards and three TDs.

Wide Receiver: Desean Jackson, Washington Redskins (vs. Eagles) — Maybe it’s just me, but even if Jackson is injured he is going to find a way to miraculously heal up enough to get on the field and torment his former club that cut him in this payback game. I estimate 75 yards and a TD with the score.

 

How did I do last Week?

Quarterback Joe Flaco, Ravens — Flacco didn’t put the ball in the air as much I hoped, but still finished with two touchdowns and 166 yards which equates to 15-18 points in standard leagues. Not bad, but I expected more.

Running Back Arian Foster, Texans — Foster rolled through Oakland’s defense to the tune of 138 yards and a touchdown. That is good enough for 26 points in most standard leagues. This pick was right on the money.

Wide Receiver Steve Smith, Ravens — Smith was targeted 10 times and finished with 7 catches for 74 yards. In PPR setups not bad, but I forecasted more and a touchdown.

 

Good Luck in Week 3!

Tyler Morning Telegraph and ETFinalScore.com staff writer Chris Parry began playing fantasy football in college in 1998. Through it all, he has won a couple football titles and baseball titles. As for his nemesis, the Dereliction League, Parry joined it in 2004 and has reached the playoffs in nine of his 10 seasons. He has also reached the championship twice, but like the Broncos of the 1980s, he has been unable to win it all. Maybe this is the year … Any questions or comments can be emailed to cparry@tylerpaper.com or tweeted to @CParryETFS