Fantasy Fallout: Jay Cutler's return earns Alshon Jeffery another shot

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Here are the fantasy ramifications of Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler returning to a starting role as QB Brian Hoyer (arm) heads to the injured reserve:

Guess Who's Back

Hoyer's miraculous run as the Bears' starting quarterback came to a screeching halt in the second quarter of a Week 7 Thursday night loss to the Green Bay Packers. Hoyer had four consecutive games with 300-plus yards with zero interceptions and six touchdowns along the way. His season effectively comes to a close.

Cutler, who had been dealing with a thumb injury, will now regain his starting job, with his only other competition on the roster being QB Matt Barkley. The No. 3 quarterback replaced Hoyer in Week 7, but he completed just six of 15 pass attempts for 81 yards and two picks.

At this point of his career, we're well aware of what Cutler is as a quarterback. He'll take his chances, make his mistakes and get messy. He had thrown just one touchdown and two interceptions in his one and a half games as the Bears' starter this season. He had completed 60.9 percent of his 46 pass attempts, his lowest percentage since 2012.

Without Me

Among the biggest fantasy disappointments of the season thus far, many owners may forget WR Alshon Jeffery started strong. In his first two games of the season Jeffery, caught nine of 13 targets for 201 yards. He didn't score a touchdown, nor has he since, but they were his two highest single-game yardage totals of the season. He has just 319 yards in five games since.

In limited action this season, Cutler was averaging 8.11 yards per attempt, the highest rate of his career. Jeffery has frequently ranked among the league leaders in receptions of 20- and 40-plus yards while playing with Cutler, but the much more cautious Hoyer was averaging just 4.46 yards per attempt.

Jeffery is an excellent buy-low candidate at this point. Without a touchdown through seven games, most of his owners have become fed up. He was due for some positive regression as it was, but the reunion with Cutler should see the touchdowns come rushing in.

When I'm Gone

Second-year WR Cameron Meredith became a household name during Hoyer's run. In Weeks 5 and 6, Meredith totaled 20 receptions for 243 yards and a TD. His practice experience with Hoyer led to an on-field connection. The loss of WR Kevin White (leg) also factored into Meredith's emergence; he had six receptions and 52 yards in two games with White and Hoyer.

Meredith will remain the team's No. 2 receiver for as long as WR Eddie Royal is sidelined by a toe injury. Royal has extensive experience with Cutler, however, so his return would likely push Meredith to the third read in the passing attack.

It is time for Meredith owners to cash in on whatever they can obtain via trade. He may become dropable in the near future.

Deja Vu

Cutler remains a matchup-play QB. All the above doesn't necessarily apply until Week 10. The Bears will play host to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 8 and a defense which forced four Philadelphia Eagles turnovers in Week 7. The Bears then have a bye in Week 9.

It's a worst-case matchup for Cutler's return, and daily fantasy owners need to wait until Week 10's date with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While the Week 10 game is on the road, it also comes against one of the friendliest pass defenses in the NFL, setting up for big games from both Cutler and Jeffery.