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

Benardrick McKinney HOU

Clay Matthews GB

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

Benardrick McKinney HOU

Clay Matthews GB

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     

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.