Tim Hightower's season-ending knee injury is bad news for the Washington Redskins and for many fantasy football teams. For those employing the injured Washington Redskins running back, and for many others, this is the time to scan the waiver wire and find a fill-in option. If you're looking for help in that regard, might I suggest one of Hightower's replacements: Roy Helu.

The fourth-round pick has been impressive in limited action this year, and is owned in just 18 percent of Yahoo's leagues. He is averaging 4.9 yards a carry this season, and in the 33-20 loss to the Carolina Panthers, he was on the field for the majority of the team's snaps. Helu was out there for 33 plays, two more than Hightower and 30 more than fellow backup Ryan Torain. Torain is also injury-prone, so even if Mike Shanahan turns to him in the short term, there's a good chance Helu will be the starter at some point this season.

Brian Murphy of Homer McFanboy explains why Helu should be the Redskins' starter going forward.

Given the choice between the two, I’d love to see Helu elevated to the starting lineup. The rookie has shown flashes during his limited time in Washington, and he clearly has more upside than Torain.

With seven different runs of 50 yards or more his senior year at Nebraska, Helu has shown he’s much more of a home-run threat than the Torain.

Shanahan is notorious for platooning his running backs, but Helu is definitely good enough to put up numbers, and now he'll have more of an opportunity. Snag him now before it's too late.

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