It is now December as we head into the fantasy football playoffs and the stretch run of the NFL season.  Trade deadlines have passed so hopefully you are heading into the postseason with enough depth and versatility to withstand the inevitable injuries that will happen.  So without further ado, here is the next edition of the fantasy football walking wounded.

Rob Gronkowski (TE – NE)

The bad news is that Gronkowski will be out for Week 13 and possibly longer.  The good news is that the knee injury isn’t serious and he plans on being back on the field when he feels 100 percent healthy.  This is not ideal for fantasy owners who are in the playoffs now and won’t have Gronk in their lineups.  Scott Chandler is the best replacement option so grab him now if he is still available on your waiver wire.  Chandler has always been an underrated pass catcher, and now he will be the temporary featured tight end for Tom Brady.

Ben Roethlisberger (QB – PIT)

Roethlisberger has been practicing in full and is ready to go for this Sunday’s game against the Colts.  Fantasy owners should be salivating at this matchup as Roethlisberger could be in for one of his biggest games of the season.  Markus Wheaton broke out in a big way last week, so look for the Steelers’ wide receivers to all possibly have big games.  The Pittsburgh stack is definitely one to consider in DFS leagues.

DeAndre Hopkins (WR – HOU)

Hopkins was dealing with a hamstring injury but practiced in full on Thursday which should remove any doubts or concerns about him.  He has been one of the top fantasy wide receivers all year despite Houston getting mediocre quarterback play all season.  Hopkins should have a favorable matchup against a Buffalo defense that has given up big plays and crooked stat lines to opposing wide receivers.

Marshawn Lynch (RB – SEA)

Lynch underwent surgery for his sports hernia and is expected to miss a month.  There is a chance he could be back before the NFL regular season ends, but that may not help fantasy owners who will likely be finished with their leagues’ playoffs.  Thomas Rawls will be the starter and is a RB1 option given his instant success as well as the lack of other viable options.

Allen Hurns (WR – JAX)

Hurns was one of the most valuable receivers for many weeks due to his low draft position/inexpensive DFS salary compared to the number of targets, receptions and touchdowns he was catching.  But things have slowed down significantly for him and now he is dealing with the effects of a concussion.  His status for Sunday is up in the air now, but the Jaguars have indicated he could still play even if he doesn’t practice the rest of the week.  Hurns is still a solid WR3 option if he is on the field.

Devonta Freeman (RB – ATL)

Freeman has been cleared to play and will absolutely be on the field this Sunday.  He will be a difference-maker with all the injuries to running backs that have decimated fantasy owners’ rosters.  Freeman goes right back to his RB1 status and should help bolster your backfield which has likely been stagnant.

Tyler Eifert (TE – CIN)

Eifert sustained a stinger last week against St. Louis and it looks like this will keep him out of this week’s game against Cleveland.  That is extremely unfortunate because it would have been a great matchup for Eifert who has caught an incredible 12 touchdowns thus far.  Don’t expect backup Tyler Kroft to see all of Eifert’s targets if he is out.  You are better off trying to replace Eifert with Scott Chandler or Will Tye on the waiver wire.

Chris Johnson (RB – ARZ)

CJ2K had a nice bounce-back season racking up 814 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games.  However, his season is now over after sustaining a broken leg and being placed on Injured Reserve.  Technically he could come back if Arizona makes it to the Super Bowl, but most fantasy owners won’t care at that point.  He is a big loss for owners who were riding him into their league’s playoffs.  While he only scored a handful of touchdowns and had more explosive games early in the season, he was at least a dependable fixture on your roster as a RB2.  Now David Johnson steps in as Arizona’s starter and immediately becomes a must-add from the waiver wire.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TE – TB)

The second-year tight end remained limited in practice on Thursday as he continues dealing with a shoulder injury.  He has missed over two months despite sporadically appearing as though he might suit up for a game.  After all this time, you cannot trust that he will be on the field again and we have no reason to think this week will be any different.  The tight end position has been decimated with injuries, but Seferian-Jenkins will not be one of your waiver wire options to shoot for in Week 13.

Darrelle Revis (CB – NYJ)

Revis is still not practicing and it does not appear he is going to play this week against the Giants.  Revis is still dealing with the effects of a concussion and his absence makes Odell Beckham the absolute best option at wide receiver this week in any league.  It would have been fascinating to see OBJ on Revis Island, but it doesn’t appear that is in the cards.  Look for Beckham to have an enormous game and spend whatever you have to in order to get him in your DFS lineup.

Michael A. Stein, Esq. is the Chief Justice of Fantasy Judgment, the industry's premier dispute resolution service, and is also the co-host of the Fantasy Alarm podcast. You can contact him at michael.stein@fantasyjudgment.com or on Facebook and Twitter (@FantasyJudgment).