We didn't expect much from Cedric Benson as the Packers' featured back.

And Ced certainly delivered.

Benson, prior to suffering a foot injury Sunday that could sideline him for at least eight weeks, rushed for 248 yards in five games and averaged 3.5 yards per carry. He caught 14 passes for 97 yards and scored one TD -- a 1-yard run against the Seahawks in the now-infamous Monday night Replacement Referee Bowl on Sept. 24.

With Benson out, running-back needy owners likely will be scrambling to the waiver wire this week, and it's a particularly interesting time to search for a back, since Arizona's Ryan Williams suffered a season-ending shoulder injury last week (we broke down the Cardinals' backfield situation on Monday).

The best Packers running back from a fantasy perspective should be Alex Green, who had nine carries for 55 yards Sunday at Indianapolis.

Green, a third-round draft choice by the Pack in 2011, could be Green Bay's back of the future -- and present.

I wouldn't consider him a No. 2 running back in fantasy, but he is a decent option as a flex play in deeper formats if you're desperate for help. For the time being, Green likely will share carries with James Starks, who might get the start Sunday because of his pass-blocking ability.

Starks -- the Packers' leading rusher in 2011 with 578 yards -- hasn't played this season because of a toe injury, and he scored only one TD on 162 touches, including 29 receptions, last season.

Green is the better long-term choice, and he's the top back in our rankings this week.

As always, we only consider players who are available in more than half of the leagues on ESPN.com, and we like to go much lower than that.

On to the rankings:

QUARTERBACKS
1. Christian Ponder, Vikings (owned in 27.8 percent of the ESPN leagues)
2. Kevin Kolb, Cardinals (16.6)
3. Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins (5.4)
4. Mark Sanchez, Jets (22.7)
5. Brandon Weeden, Browns (3.7)
Dropped out: Russell Wilson, Seahawks
Just missed the cut: Wilson (13.1 percent)

RUNNING BACKS
1. Alex Green, Packers (0.8 percent)
2. LaRod Stephens-Howling, Cardinals (5.4)
3. James Starks, Packers (5.9)
4. William Powell, Cardinals (0.1)
5. Brandon Bolden, Patriots (21.1)
Dropped out: Jackie Battle, Chargers (now owned in 54.1 percent of the ESPN leagues); Joique Bell, Lions; Bilal Powell, Jets; Lance Ball, Broncos
Just missed the cut: Bell (1.5 percent); Danny Woodhead, Patriots (9.3); Shaun Draughn, Chiefs (4.3)

WIDE RECEIVERS
1. Randall Cobb, Packers (28.8 percent)
2. Kendall Wright, Titans (10.5)
3. Andrew Hawkins, Bengals (31.4)
4. Jeremy Kerley, Jets (33.2)
5. Andre Roberts, Cardinals (29.1)
Dropped out: Brian Hartline, Dolphins (now owned in 91.0 percent of the ESPN leagues); James Jones, Packers (69.0); Donnie Avery, Colts
Just missed the cut: Davone Bess, Dolphins (9.2 percent); Domenik Hixon, Giants (17.3); Rueben Randle, Giants (38.4); Brandon Stokley, Broncos (11.5)

TIGHT ENDS
1. Scott Chandler, Bills (40.2 percent)
2. Jermaine Gresham, Bengals (33.6)
3. Greg Olsen, Panthers (29.3)
4. Brandon Myers, Raiders (1.0)
5. Coby Fleener, Colts (14.6)
Dropped out: Kyle Rudolph, Vikings (now owned in 50.8 percent of the ESPN leagues)
Just missed the cut: Joel Dreessen, Broncos (2.8 percent)

Past waiver-wire picks: Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5