Kitna should be serviceable replacement for Cowboys’ injured Romo

Replacing injured players and those on bye weeks is a priority for many fantasy owners leading into Week 8 of the NFL season. Seven key fantasy quarterbacks could be out of action Sunday, with Eli Manning, Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Michael Vick and Jay Cutler on bye weeks and Tony Romo and possibly Brett Favre being out because of injuries.

The only reason Favre would play is because of his ego and not wanting to watch his cherished record of 291 consecutive starts end. He has multiple fractures in his left ankle, which makes him questionable for Week 8. The scenario of Favre starting the first series "to see how he feels" and keep the streak going before giving way to backup Tarvaris Jackson seems possible.

Because of the uncertainty of Favre's playing status, Jackson isn't a viable pickup even with all the weapons the Vikings have. The start-and-park scenario for Favre could go on for weeks. Even though Jackson probably could do better than Favre's 14 turnovers and seven touchdown passes through six games, coach Brad Childress isn't about to tell Favre he's out. As a fantasy owner, the call is easy: Favre should be out of all lineups.

Romo suffered a broken left clavicle in the Cowboys' loss to the Giants on Monday and is expected to be out at least six weeks. Listening to Cowboys wide receiver Roy Williams, everything should be as usual for Dallas in Week 8 with Jon Kitna under center.

"Tony is our starter, but Jon is just as good," Williams told the Dallas Morning News after the loss. "We are going to work this week in practice so we can get the timing down with the receivers. But I have complete faith in him. I have played with him for three years, and I know how good he is."

Williams might be staging himself to be put in the new quarterback's good graces, but he's not far off. Kitna should be able to put up good numbers, and for those who own Romo, getting Kitna should be a priority to take advantage of the Cowboys' weapons.

Kitna hadn't played since the 2008 season before coming into Monday's game, but he gets a chance to play at home Sunday against Jacksonville's 30th-ranked defense, which makes him a good start. Look for the Cowboys to run more than they have through the first six games early on to ease Kitna into his role, but also expect them to continue airing it out deep.

No major changes should be made in starting lineups regarding Romo's supporting cast because the game is against Jacksonville. Use Week 8 to see what direction you should go with players such as Williams, wide receivers Miles Austin and Dez Bryant and tight end Jason Witten.

Some serviceable quarterbacks should be available to pick up in most leagues, beginning with the Bills' Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has developed a great rapport with wide receivers Steve Johnson and Lee Evans. Fitzpatrick has averaged more fantasy points in his four starts than Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Kyle Orton and Peyton Manning in the same stretch.

Other quarterbacks who could help fill in for Week 8 are Matthew Stafford, Matt Cassel, Josh Freeman, Chad Henne and Matt Moore.

Rumblings out of Denver suggested that after the Broncos' poor Week 7 performance, dropping their record to 2-5, that maybe it's time to hand the reins to Tim Tebow and the future. Don't buy into that theory and pick up Tebow yet. Orton has kept the Broncos in every game, other than the blowout loss to the Raiders in Week 7.

Among other potential pickups:

■ RUNNING BACKS -- The Colts' Joseph Addai is hurt and backup Donald Brown questionable, paving the way for Mike Hart to see lots of playing time Monday against Houston. And LeGarrette Blount has been impressive in his limited time and looks to be the new featured back in Tampa Bay. Hart and Blount warrant pickups this week.

■ WIDE RECEIVERS -- The Panthers' David Gettis made a huge impact in Week 7, catching eight passes for 125 yards and two scores, as Steve Smith was routinely double-teamed. If Moore can continue to make those reads, Gettis becomes a player who can help as a spot starter.

With wideout Austin Collie and tight end Dallas Clark out, Manning is going to need more options than just Pierre Garcon and Reggie Wayne. Enter Anthony Gonzalez, who missed all of 2009 and most of this year. In 2007-08, Gonzalez capably filled the role that Garcon and Collie since have taken over. He might be rusty in Week 8 but should pay dividends down the stretch.

■ BYE WEEKS -- Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, New York Giants, Philadelphia.

Micah Roberts is a former Las Vegas sports book director who covers all sports for multiple publications. He can be reached at MM.Roberts7@gmail.com.