Kamar Aiken Fantasy Value After Steve Smith’s Injury

(Getty)

(Getty)

Injuries ran rampant through the NFL during Week 8, and one of the toughest players in the league wasn’t able to avoid it.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. left late in the third quarter with an Achilles’ injury, and the prognosis is a terrible one:

We truly hope this isn’t the end of Smith’s career, but for fantasy purposes, the injury makes Kamar Aiken an immediate option in all fantasy leagues.

Aiken has been the biggest beneficiary in Senior’s absence this season. In the two games Smith missed time earlier in the season–he left early against Pittsburgh and missed all of Week 5 vs the Browns–Aiken had nine catches on 16 targets for 155 yards and a touchdown. After Smith went down with 2:19 left in the third quarter Sunday, Aiken caught all six of his targets for another 62 yards.

For as long as Smith is sidelined, Aiken will be Joe Flacco’s first or second option in the passing game. While this offense can struggle at times, that kind of volume alone puts Aiken on the WR2 map. He may not have the monster upside Smith had, but his role gives him a high floor and some good consistency.

If you’re a Smith owner, or if you’re in need of WR help, make sure to go after the 26-year-old if he’s available on your waiver wire.