None of us can miss the debacle that is NFL injuries this year. Every week we seem to lose additional players that will no longer help our fantasy teams, and there is nothing we can do about it. Add those to bye week concerns and it is truly getting hard to field a complete team.

Hopefully some of the players I am listing here will provide your team with the players that will either act as a band aid for you or quite possibly a player that becomes a staple of your team.

(1) Forum Discussion

LINEBACKERS

Tyjaun Hagler SLB IND – Hagler has been mostly a special teamer, but now he is getting a chance to start on the strong side. In the last two weeks he has recorded 11 solo tackles and 2 assists. He should see a decent amount of chances with his upcoming schedule.

Ben Leber SLB MIN – Leber is a returning member of this list, as he is still available in more leagues than he should be. He seems to have a nose for the ball and has a sack, a fumble recovery and a interception in the last two weeks, not to mention 7 tackles. He faces a couple of strong running teams in the next couple of weeks and should get plenty of opportunities.

Anthony Schlegel MLB CIN – With all the injuries at LB for the Bengals, Schlegel, a NY Jets’ castaway, has been moved into the MLB spot. He doesn’t have a ton experience, but if you’re in a bind and want to roll the bones, then it is not such a bad thing to gamble on a starting MLB.

Ian Gold WLB DEN – Gold should be owned in all deep leagues already, but in smaller roster leagues he may be available. While Gold is not a big playmaker he will put up a decent amount of tackles each week. He has an excellent schedule moving forward and if you need injury or bye week help, then Gold is a solid LB 3 play.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Jason Allen S MIA – Allen will get the start at Strong Safety because of the season-ending injury to Renaldo Hill. With the lousy play of the Dolphin’s front seven he should see plenty of tackle chances and should be considered a viable starter.

Fakhir Brown CB STL – It seems that Brown has been a forgotten man after serving a 4 game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, but in the 3 weeks since he has been back he has been a major force. He has 19 solo tackles, 2 interceptions and 10 passes defended. If he is there jump on him now.

Cameron Worrell FS MIA – Worrell is the free safety on Miami since they released Donovin Darius and he is making the most of his starting shot. In his last games he has 19 solo tackles and 8 assists. Grab him now.

Demarcus Faggins CB HOU – Faggins came very close to losing his starting job in week 4, but instead it has inspired his play. In the 3 games since he has 16 solos, 2 assists, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery and 2 passes defended. While I would not recommend him as an every week starter, he should be considered for match-ups.

Deke Cooper SS CAR – Cooper looks to have locked up the SS position for the Panthers with an excellent game against Arizona in week 6. He had 6 solo tackles, 2 passes defended and 2 interceptions. Since he is primarily known for his run support, his 2 interceptions should seal up the spot for him. He has a schedule that will give him plenty of chances, grab him now.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Victor Adeyanju DE STL – With the possibility of starter Leonard Little missing time with torn ligaments in his toe, Adeyanju has the chance to see some starting time. If he does, then he has worth because St Louis’ offense can’t stay on the field.

Paul Spicer DE JAC – Spicer is another player that is a repeat to this list, but people are just not picking up on his vibe. He has a sack in 4 out of the last 5 games with a total of 5 sacks in those same 5 games. He has also added 13 solo tackles, 2 assists, and 2 forced fumbles. He should not be available in any formats.

Hollis Thomas DT NOS – Thomas is a forgotten man after losing his starting job in preseason to Kendrick Clancy, but he has been getting more reps of late and is making the most of it. In the last 3 weeks he has 13 solo tackles, 3 assists and a sack. In the next 3 weeks he goes against teams that are 4th (San Fran), 8th (Jack), and tied for 4th again (St Louis), grab him for the stretch run.

Brian Young DT NOS – Young is healthy again and combined with Hollis Thomas and Kendrick Clancy, the line is playing very well Young has a sack in each of the last two games to go along with 7 solo tackles. See above for the great set of games he has coming up. He is a solid pickup in mid-size rosters or bigger.  

Byes: Cardinals, Falcons, Ravens, Cowboys, Chiefs, Seahawks