Quite a few more injuries to deal with after Week 9 ran its course. At least the league is back to a more manageable number of teams on bye weeks with just Atlanta, Indianapolis, San Diego and San Francisco taking the week off from playing. You really did not want to consider using any 49er in your lineup, anyway, did you?

Fortunately, there are plenty of defensive gems that you should seek out to replace your injured or underperforming IDP. Let us move on to that more pleasant part of the IDP report without further ado.

Elevator Going Up

Linebackers

Jake Ryan GB

Philip Wheeler ATL

Danny Trevathan DEN

Jonathan Anderson CHI

Wesley Woodyard TEN

Stephen Tulloch DET

I had stashed Jake Ryan on a dynasty roster, and would not move him despite a rash of injuries. It is now time to see what the rookie can do, as he has moved into the Packers' linebacker crew. He led the team with 10 total tackles (six solos) in Week 9’s clash with the Panthers, and did that on just 38 snaps. He should be available on your waiver wire and you can plug him in to see what he does in a full-time role. Philip Wheeler is on bye this week, but if you have room to sit him on your bench, he will be a good source of tackles going forward. He also led his team with 10 total tackles in Week 9, with eight of those of the solo variety. Danny Trevathan is not a three-down linebacker for Denver, but he is productive in a two-down role, and put up an incredible 19 total tackles (six solo) against the Colts, along with a pass defense. He was all over the field in Week 9, and because of his limited snap count, could be available to snag as a free agent.

Jonathan Anderson impressed me greatly when I watched him on Monday night. He is now in a full-time role with Shea McClellin on the sidelines nursing a knee injury. Eleven solo tackles is impressive against the Chargers, and he should see plenty of opportunities to rack up tackles when the Bears take on the Rams and Todd Gurley in Week 10, assuming the Chicago brain trust realizes what he can offer as a starter. Wesley Woodyard is someone to target going forward. He has been averaging better than eight tackles a game for the past five weeks, and has also collected two sacks over that span. He is owned in less than 7 percent of leagues on Yahoo and ESPN currently, and is likely out-producing one of your players in your IDP lineup. Stephen Tulloch has played well against the Lions’ Week 10 opponent, Green Bay, in his career, so that makes him desirable this week. Not that I am all that impressed with what Detroit is offering on either side of the line of scrimmage, but just as NaVorro Bowman is worth rostering from the 49ers, the Lions do have a small group of players worthy of consideration, and Tulloch is one of them.

Defensive Linemen

Carlos Dunlap DE CIN

Kony Ealy DE CAR

Frostee Rucker DE ARI

Cliff Avril DE SEA

Kawann Short DT CAR

Carlos Dunlap had a huge game in Week 9 for the undefeated Bengals, collecting two sacks to go with four solo tackles. Huge game for a DL, that is. He has 8.5 sacks on the season, and does not look ready to slow down. Kony Ealy gets a favorable matchup when the Panthers take on the Titans in Week 10. He will look to build on his success, with 10 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles over his past three games. The veteran Frostee Rucker is often forgotten in IDP circles, despite his memorable first name. He gets to face the Seahawks on Sunday night, who have allowed the most points to defensive linemen this season. He is not a pass-rusher of note but is a matchup play to consider in Week 10.

On the other side of the field, Cliff Avril is averaging just fewer than four tackles a game, and while he only has 3.5 sacks on the season, he does have five pass deflections and a forced fumble. He is a decent DL2 or DL3 so long as you are not dependent on sack production. Kawann Short is our token defensive tackle this week. He picked up another sack in Week 9, giving him six on the season, all occurring over the past four games. He also has four pass deflections on the season, as well as 32 total tackles over eight games. He is a top DT who should be owned in DT-mandatory leagues.

Defensive Backs

Kurt Coleman S CAR

Dashon Goldson S WAS

Alterraun Verner CB TB

Antwon Blake CB PIT

D.J. Hayden CB OAK

Leodis McKelvin CB BUF

Logan Ryan CB NE

Nolan Carroll CB PHI

Kurt Coleman has moved into the starting free safety position for the Panthers and has responded with great production: 46 total tackles, a sack, four pass deflections, two interceptions in eight games. As long as he starts, he should be valuable. It is not like he did not show this before, although when Chip Kelly came to Philadelphia, his numbers took a hit when he was moved to special teams. No worries about that now. Dashon Goldson has been a steady performer for in Washington, so far avoiding the injury bug that has hurt their defensive corps. He is coming off a 10 total tackle effort in Week 9, with six solos. His tackle numbers over the past four games are exceptional: 27 solos and 20 assists. For a safety, those are incredibly valuable.

Alterraun Verner has always been a high tackle-producing corner, and this year sees him continue that trend as a starter in Tampa. This week, he will undoubtedly draw the assignment of covering Dez Bryant, and the Cowboys are going to throw to their WR1 all game. Look for good tackle numbers in Week 10, with the potential of some pass deflections and a possible interception or two. The Steelers’ Antwon Blake has been struggling to provide adequate coverage, which means offensive coordinators are targeting him. As I have advised in the past, you do not want to own a shutdown corner in IDP leagues, you want the guy that is going to see action. Blake will provide his owners with tackles and a potential for some big plays. D.J. Hayden has had three consecutive productive games now, and gets to face off against the Vikings, who may be without Teddy Bridgewater under center in Week 10. He should see action, although the Week 12 and 13 matchups against Detroit and Tennessee may allow him to shine a bit brighter than in Week 10. 

Leodis McKelvin finally returned from injury this past week, and should see his snap count increase over the balance of the season. He had six solo tackles in Week 9 against Miami, and added a pass deflection. His tackling skills were never in doubt, and as his playing time increases, he will put up better numbers. Grab him now while his ownership is depressed. The Giants have been favorable for defensive backs all season, and should allow Logan Ryan to continue his streak of productive games. He has 27 total tackles over his past four games, with four pass deflections and two interceptions. Expect the Giants to have to throw the ball to hang with the Patriots in Week 10, which will translate into good production for Ryan. Nolan Carroll has a great matchup against the Dolphins this week. Add to that the fact that he has been putting up great results over the past three games where he has averaged eight tackles per contest, with four pass deflections and two interceptions (and a TD), and you have a DB1 on your hands if you can snag him.

Escalator Going Down

Linebackers

Jelani Jenkins MIA

Jenkins had been a productive linebacker this season early on, but has now been rather pedestrian in four of his past six games. Even in the decent games, he has not really been around the ball. You can move on from him at this point, as any of the other linebackers profiled above will provide better production.

Defensive Linemen

No one to speak of this week.

Defensive Backs

Micah Hyde S GB

Aqib Talib CB DEN

Micah Hyde is going to lose production as he is relegated to sub-packages on defense with Morgan Burnett back to full-time status. He could put up decent numbers against the Lions in Week 10, but you should not count on him going forward with his snap count being limited. Aqib Talib was channeling his inner Stooge when he poked Colts TE Dwayne Allen in the eye. Really, an eye poke with everyone watching? He appealed his one-game suspension and predictably lost, so he is out this week. Even so, he has not been providing numbers you want from a starting corner, so feel free to send him packing.

Ouch (My Aching Roster)

All the injury reports below need to be evaluated at kickoff.  Teams are notoriously sketchy about injury reports, and we often do not know a player's status until just before game time. The list below is intended as a "heads up" as to what is going on early in the week, and should not be considered definitive.

Linebackers

Audie Cole MIN (fractured ankle)

Jordan Hicks PHI (torn pectoral muscle)

Sean Lee DAL (concussion)

DeMarcus Ware DEN (back)

DeMeco Ryans PHI (hamstring)

Anthony Barr MIN (arm)

Anthony Hitchens DAL (left ankle)

Defensive Linemen

Henry Anderson DE IND (torn ACL – on IR)

Robert Quinn DE StL (knee)

Johnathan Hankins DT NYG (torn pectoral – out for the season)

Michael Bennett DT JAX (hamstring)

Defensive Backs

Mike Adams S IND (left ankle)

Duron Harmon S NE (left leg)

Bradley McDougald S TB (concussion)

Dion Bailey S NYJ (ankle)

Antonio Cromartie CB NYJ (thigh)

As ever, good luck and Godspeed in your fantasy efforts. Make sure to read all of our great articles to help you win your fantasy matchups every week and ultimately bask in championship glory. If you have any fantasy football questions, especially about IDP leagues, I can be reached at ia@fantasyalarm.com.