During the NFL regular season the TSN 4-Downs ‘Hail Mary Start of the Week’ will be based around off the radar players with upside in their weekend matchup. The player must be owned in less than 50% of ESPN fantasy leagues, making them more likely to be available on your league’s waiver wire.

Injuries seem to be more rampant than ever at this early stage of the NFL season. Every position group has received at least one major blow, which in turn sends fantasy owners scrambling for replacements.

‘’TSN 4-Downs’’ will help limit the panic with these Hail Mary gems to consider starting.

Running Back: Dexter McCluster - San Diego Chargers

Now this is a Hail Mary start if there ever was one. True boom or bust potential here.

While everyone and their brother is fighting over which of the two Vikings running backs to claim in the wake of the Adrian Peterson injury, the crafty fantasy owner looks for system opportunity.

The Chargers lost scatback Danny Woodhead for the season to a torn ACL this past Sunday. Woodhead was a PPR dream as the third down/change of pace back to Melvin Gordon. His departure leaves a gaping hole for Phillip Rivers in the passing game, especially when you take into account the injury to receiver Keenan Allen.

Snatching up the newest resident of San Diego, Dexter McCluster, is an intriguing idea if you are lower on the waiver wire priority list. McCluster was released by the Titans during final cuts and at 28-years old, he has finally landed somewhere.

This versatile RB can do all of the things that Woodhead did in the Chargers offense...just not as well. He can catch out of the backfield, has the speed to get around the edge and is a threat for gadget plays like reverses. McCluster also has experience as a return man on special teams.

The Florida native played for San Diego OC Ken Whisenhunt while in Tennessee and should be able to slide right into the playbook. The Chargers want to be a two-back offense, which means at the very least McCluster should be given opportunities.

What makes this selection even better is that the Bolts face a Colts defense that has given up the most fantasy points to running backs this season. As of Wednesday McCluster was widely available being owned in only 1% of ESPN leagues.

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Tight End: Jacob Tamme - Atlanta Falcons

I was torn between choosing Baltimore’s Dennis Pitta and Atlanta’s Jacob Tamme.

Pitta lit up the Browns’ underwhelming defense last weekend. He’s had chemistry in the past with quarterback Joe Flacco; however he is injury prone and hasn’t played more than four games since 2012.

Tamme on the other hand is owned in less than 10% of ESPN leagues, has put up great numbers in two consecutive weeks, and gets a juicy match-up Sunday.

The nine-year veteran is an underrated talent that is finally getting a chance to shine as chemistry develops quickly with Matt Ryan. Tamme’s 11 catches on 16 targets for 126-yards and a touchdown over a pair of outings in 2016 produced double digit fantasy points each week.

He’s shorter than the typical monster tight end prototype at 6’3’’, but is a favourite weapon for Ryan and is locked in as a starter. That shouldn’t change against an unimpressive Saints defense.

If you own a disappointment like Coby Fleener or a Martellus Bennett type of inconsistent contributor then grab the steady and reliable Tamme.

Good luck!

Listen to "TSN 4-Downs" on TSN 1050 and TSN 1150 every Saturday at 11am with host Andy McNamara. Tweet Andy your fantasy football questions @TSN4Downs and @AndyMc81. Email: andy.mcnamara@bellmedia.ca