If you made it to the playoffs, congratulations. There were several injuries in Week 13 than you may need to address with regard to your individual defensive players (IDPs), and fortunately, there are a number of replacement players that may be available to help you move on toward the championship. Without further ado, here are this weeks risers and fallers on the IDP front.
Elevator Going Up
Linebackers
Brian Cushing HOU.jpg)
Paul Posluszny JAX
Sean Lee DAL
Anthony Hitchens DAL
L.J. Fort PIT
Eric Kendricks MIN
Lamarr Houston CHI
Bruce Irvin OAK
Bryce Hager LAR
Cushing is due to return from his suspension, and word out of Houston is that he has kept himself in great shape to slot back into the starting lineup. The banged-up Texan defense can use him, to be sure, and he should be available on your waiver wire.
McKinney had a fine game in Week 13, racking up seven total tackles (five solo) with one tackle for a loss of yard (TFL). He also had a sack credited to his stat line. Getting to play San Fran at home is a good matchup, as well.
Matthews also has a good matchup against the Browns this week, and is coming off an effort where he had seven total tackles (six solo, one TFL), 2.5 sacks and three quarterback hits/hurries (QH).
Posluszny has been devalued this season by many fantasy owners, but a 14 combined tackle week (10 solo, two TFL) with a QH and 1.5 sacks should put him back on the map. He gets to face the Seahawks at home, too, as opposed to on the road.
Lee is on the injury report, so be careful if you consider picking him up. If he suits up, as he said he expects, he is a serviceable LB2/3, especially if your league values tackles.
Hitchens could see a decline if production if teammate Sean Lee returns in Week 14, but it is difficult to overlook his Week 13 stat line: 15 total tackles (12 solo, three TFL). Again, in tackle-heavy leagues, he is a great LB to add going forward.
Fort along with teammate Vince Williams are going to be looked to pick up the slack with Ryan Shazier out of action. He has been primarily used on special teams to this point, but look for his playing time to see an increase on defense.
Kendricks recovered from a bit of slump against the Falcons in Week 13, with 10 combined tackles (eight solo) and a pass defense (PD). He was showing signs of becoming a solid LB2 prior to his weak performance in Weeks 11 and 12, with 42 total tackles in the prior four contests (29 solo), so if you believe, he could be a useful piece for your playoff run.
Houston will see significant snaps if Pernell McPhee is out this week, and he did have a sack and a QH in his first game back with his former team, after being plucked from the waiver wire. He also had three solo tackles and one QH in his return to the Windy City.
Irvin has been credited with 3.5 sacks in his past four games, and racked up eight total tackles against the visiting Giants in Week 13 (seven solo, two TFL) He also contributed a QH and forced a fumble. Oakland has a division game against the Chiefs, who are not a great matchup but then again, the Chiefs are in a major slump as of late.
Hager is only valuable if Alec Ogletree is still on the sidelines in Week 14, so keep an eye on the injury report this weekend. Otherwise, he is a special teams player, and not worthy of a roster slot.
IDPs to consider that have been previously profiled: Danny Trevathan CHI (Week 4), Vince Williams PIT (Week 12), Reggie Ragland KC (Week 12), Joe Schobert CLE (Weeks 2 & 10), Josh Bynes ARI (Week 13), Raymond Humber BUF (Week 2), Vince Williams PIT (Week 12)
Defensive Linemen
Jerry Hughes DE BUF
Ezekiel Ansah DE DET
Dean Lowry DE GB
Eric Lee DE NE
Will Clarke DE TB
Joey Bosa DE LAC
Kenny Clark DT GB
Dalvin Tomlinson DT NYG
Grady Jarrett DT ATL
Hughes has not been providing much this season, with just 32 total tackles and no sacks since Week 4. Take heart, however, as the Bills face off against the Colts in Week 14, a team that has allowed 51 sacks so far on the season. He is a sneaky play in Week 14 for that reason alone.
Ansah gave his owners a scare when he left the contest against the Ravens with an ankle problem in the second quarter, but did return to finish the contest. He is always a concern for another injury, but he did have five solo tackles in Week 13 and a sack in the week prior to that.
Lowry is starting to came on in his second preseason, with a sack and four total tackles in Week 13 (three solo). He also scored a TD against Tampa Bay. He is certainly available in most leagues and has locked down a starting role for the Packers at this point in the season.
Lee had quite a performance in Buffalo in Week 13, with four total tackles (two solo, one TFL), 1.5 sacks, three QH, two PD and an INT. Trey Flowers is listed as questionable for the game against Miami, so look for him to see plenty of snaps again this coming week.
Clarke collected two sacks against Green Bay last week, with three solo tackles (one TFL), two QH and a PD. The injuries on the Tampa Bay defensive line have opened up playing time for him and he is making the most of the situation.
Bosa is most likely not available in your league, but if he is, stop reading and pick him up immediately. He now has 12.5 sacks on the season, eclipsing his 10.5 in his rookie season, and contributed with seven solo tackles against the Browns (two TFL), a QH and also forced a fumble.
Clark was able to get to Jameis Winston for two sacks last week, and also had two QH, a forced fumble and six total tackles (four solo, one TFL). He gets to take on Cleveland in Week 14, quite a tasty proposition for any defensive player.
Tomlinson is coming on in his rookie season, with 15 combined tackles (six solo) over his past three games, with a sack in Week 12, to boot. Plus, he heads home for the next two games and faces a stat crew that is very friendly in terms of crediting tackles and assists.
Jarrett has racked up two sacks over his past three games, but be wary, as his next games are against the Saints (Week 14 and 16) and Buccaneers, not exactly the best matchups for DTs.
IDPs to consider that have been previously profiled: Brandon Graham DE PHI (Week 13), Denico Autry DE OAK (Week 13), Malik Jackson DT JAX (Week 12), David Irving DE DAL (Week 9)
Defensive Backs
T.J. McDonald S MIA
Deshazor Everett S WAS
Darian Stewart S DEN
Quandre Diggs CB DET
Marlon Humphrey CB BAL
Byron Maxwell CB SEA
McDonald is a matchup play at safety, but he gets to face the Patriots in Week 14, the most generous NFL squad in terms of allowing points to opposing safeties this season. He had only two solo tackles against Denver last week, but did snag an INT and also had a PD credited to him. Use him in Week 14 based on the matchup, but Weeks 15 and 16 are not so rosy when the Dolphins face off against the Bills and Chiefs.
Everett has been turning it on lately, with 13 total tackles over the past two games (eight solo) and a PD. It helps that the Washington linebacking crew is banged up, and starting LB Zach Brown is listed on the injury report for Week 14.
Stewart has had five solo tackles each of the last two weeks (11 total). He is seeing plenty of snaps as the starting free safety for the Broncos, although none of his upcoming games project as great matchups.
Diggs leads off the cornerback options this week, and he was the starter at strong safety in Week 13 with Tavon Wilson out of action. He had five solo tackles and PD in Baltimore, and has a top 12 matchup against the Buccaneers in Week 14 on tap.
Humphrey is in a full-time role now that Jimmy Smith is injured. He is coming off a seven total tackle effort (five solo) in Week 13 against the Lions, with an INT and a PD as well. His next two matchups are enticing, facing the 3rd and 2nd most generous teams as far as allowing opposing CB points (Pittsburgh and Cleveland). Now is the time to insert him in your lineup.
Maxwell rounds out the defensive back options this week. He is playing in place of the injured Richard Sherman for the Seahawks, and contributed against the Eagles with an INT, two PD and seven combined tackles (four solo). Be cautious in employing his services, though, as the next two opponents, Jacksonville and the Los Angeles Rams are stingy in allowing points to opposing CBs.
IDPs to consider that have been previously profiled: Daniel Sorensen S KC (Week 11), Budda Baker S ARI (Weeks 11 & 12), Justin Evans S TB (Week 6), Johnathan Cyprien S TEN (Week 12), Justin Simmons S DEN (Weeks 6 & 11), Micah Hyde S BUF (Week 5, Justin Evans S TB (Week 6))
Escalator Going Down
Linebackers
Martrell Spaight WAS
Myles Jack JAX
Spaight had just one solo tackle against Dallas in Week 13, after playing mostly on special teams, with just eight snaps on defense. He had been replaced by Zach Vigil at inside linebacker, but then again, Vigil is on the injury report as questionable for Week 14. Still, there are better options to consider in the playoffs.
Jack has cooled off significantly after starting off the season on fire. He is a tackle producer when he is playing well, and offers little to no value in big play leagues. He is still a starting LB, but the production makes him of little value for fantasy purposes.
Defensive Linemen
Adrian Clayborn DE ATL
Mario Edwards, Jr. DE OAK
Fletcher Cox DT PHI
DeForest Buckner DT SF
Clayborn is not an every down player, with the rotating scheme the Falcons are using with their edge rushers. He has accumulated just two solo tackles over the past three contests, and is best avoided or dropped at this point.
Edwards has had three dud games in succession, with just one assist over that stretch. That is not the kind of production you want at this point in your fantasy season.
Cox has been limited to just 17 total tackles this season (10 solo), and while he does have 5.5 sacks in 2017, he has had just one in his past four games played. Until he turns the corner and returns to his former self, he is best cut or benched.
Buckner put up a huge goose egg on the stat sheet in Week 13, failing to get any tackles, and has had just one solo tackle since the 49ers came off their bye week. He does get to face the Texans, who allow the fifth most points to opposing DTs in Week 14, so it could all turn around, but there are far better options, even in a DT-mandatory league, to turn to during this important time of the fantasy season.
Defensive Backs
None to speak of except those on the injury list below.
Matchups to Exploit
Remember, the second team listed is the one to use your IDPs against. Do not go crazy, and play a LB5 against the Colts, but certainly you will do well if you own a top LB on the Raiders, Giants or Green Bay that you can plug in this week, for the most part.
Linebackers
Pittsburgh v Baltimore
Seattle @ Jacksonville
Indianapolis @ Buffalo
Buffalo v Indianapolis
Defensive Ends
San Francisco @ Houston
New York Jets @ Denver
Tennessee @ Arizona
Los Angeles Chargers v Washington
Buffalo v Indianapolis
Defensive Tackles
Los Angeles Chargers v Washington
Denver v New York Jets
Tennessee @ Arizona
Safeties
Miami v New England
New England @ Miami
Tennessee @ Arizona
San Francisco @ Houston
Cornerbacks
New York Jets @ Denver
Green Bay @ Cleveland
Baltimore @ Pittsburgh
Waiver Wire Targets
All these players are spotlighted above, and you can read my comments about them in the "Elevator Going Up" section of this article. Not all the players commented on are here, however, as there is no need to waste your time searching for players that are heavily owned. This group consists of those that you may have a chance of locating on your league's waiver wire in that they are owned in significantly less than 50% of leagues. Happy claiming for your weekly matchups.
Linebackers
Brian Cushing HOU
Paul Posluszny JAX
Sean Lee DAL (Owned in 41.2% in ESPN, 24% in Yahoo)
Anthony Hitchens DAL
L.J. Fort PIT
Eric Kendricks MIN (owned in 43.2% in ESPN, 26% in Yahoo)
Lamarr Houston CHI
Bruce Irvin OAK
Bryce Hager LAR
Defensive Linesmen
Jerry Hughes DE BUF
Ezekiel Ansah DE DET
Dean Lowry DE GB
Eric Lee DE NE
Will Clarke DE TB
Kenny Clark DT GB
Dalvin Tomlinson DT NYG
Grady Jarrett DT ATL
Defensive Backs
T.J. McDonald S MIA
Deshazor Everett S WAS
Darian Stewart S DEN
Quandre Diggs CB DET
Marlon Humphrey CB BAL
Byron Maxwell CB SEA
Ouch (My Aching Roster)
All the injury reports below need evaluation prior to kickoff. Teams are notoriously sketchy about injury reports, and we often do not know a player's status until just before game time. Consider the list below as a "heads up" as to what is going on early in the week, and should not be considered definitive.
Linebackers
Deone Buchannon ARI ankle
Shaq Thompson CAR ankle
Pernell McPhee CHI shoulder
Vincent Rey CIN hamstring
Vontaze Burfict CIN concussion
Nick Vigil CIN ankle    Justin Durant DAL concussion
Sean Lee DAL hamstring
Jake Ryan GB neck
Jelani Jenkins HOU concussion
Telvin Smith JAX concussion
Tamba Hali KC knee
Dee Ford KC back
Connor Barwin LAR forearm
Alec Ogletree LAR elbow
Brandon Watts MIA back
Kyle Van Noy NE leg
Trevor Reilly NE concussion
Bryan Braman NO undisclosed
A.J. Klein NO groin    Â
Jonathan Casillas NYG neck
J.T. Thomas NYG groin
B.J. Goodson NYG ankle
Corey Lemonier NYJ foot
Cory James OAK knee
Joe Walker PHI neck
Ryan Shazier PIT back
Tyler Matakevich PIT shoulder
Zach Brown WAS foot
Zach Vigil WAS neck
Defensive Linemen
DE
Myles Garrett CLE ankle
Cornelius Washington DET shoulder
Hassan Ridgeway IND shoulder
Trey Flowers NE ribs
Trey Hendrickson NO knee
Dion Jordan SEA neck
Robert Ayers TB concussion
DT
Corey Peters ARI ankle
Danny Shelton CLE ribs
Domata Pedo DEN knee (MCL)
Corey Liuget LAC toe
Davon Godchax MIA knee
Corbin Bryant NYG elbow
Nazair Jones SEA ankle
Clinton McDonald TB back
Terrell McClain WAS toe
Defensive Backs
S
Johnathan Ford ARI knee
Deon Bush CHI ankle
DeAndre Houston-Carson CHI ankle
Shawn Williams CIN hamstring
Ed Reynolds CLE knee
Jabrill Peppers CLE knee
Eric Murray KC ankle
Marcus Williams NO groin
Michael Mitchell PIT ankle
Kam Chancellor SEA neck
T.J. Ward TB concussion
Josh Robinson TB hamstring
Su’a Cravens WAS personal
Montae Nichoson WAS concussion
CB
Brian Poole ATL back
Leonard Johnson BUF knee
Tre’Davious White BUF concussion
Bryce Callahan CHI knee
Adam Jones CIN groin
Orlando Scandrick DAL back
Jamal Agnew DET knee
Kevin King GB shoulder
Johnathan Josep HOU shoulder
Rashaan Melvin IND hand
Chris Culliver IND undisclosed
Condrea Takersley MIA ankle
P.J. Willian O shoulder
Ken Crawley NO abdomen
Marshon Lattimore NO ankle
Eli Apple NYG hip
Juston Burris NYJ concussion
David Amerson OAK foot
Joe Haden PIT upper leg
Vernon Hargreaves TB hamstring
Logan Ryan TEN concussion
Kalan Reed TEN illness
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 match ups 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.