Compared to previous years, NFL's skill-position players haven't seemingly been hit as hard with in-game injuries this season. But that unfortunately changed in Week 11. Just minutes after kickoff of the early games, stud wide receiver A.J. Green went down with what appears to be a serious hamstring injury. Then LeSean McCoy missed over half the game with a thumb injury. Then it was T.J. Yeldon who was quickly ruled out with an ankle injury. Then Robert Woods (knee) and Zach Miller (foot). While it's never good to see injuries pile up like that, it will make things interesting for this week's fantasy football waiver wire. With that in mind, you can click through the gallery for a look at the top Week 12 pickups, from players who will benefit from these injuries, to those who are worth stashing with the fantasy football playoffs quickly approaching. (Getty)
RB: Wendell Smallwood, Philadelphia Eagles
Ownership Percentage (Yahoo): 2
With Ryan Mathews (knee) and Darren Sproles (ribs) both suffering injuries that lost them for the game on Sunday, Smallwood stepped in admirably, tallying 79 total yards (48 rushing, 31 receiving) on 17 touches (13 carries, 4 receptions). He's been a productive player in limited time this season, averaging 4.7 yards per carry, and if Mathews missed time (he reportedly has an MCL sprain), he would likely step in as Philadelphia's early-down back. Unless Mathews is miraculously given a clean bill of health before it's time to put in your waiver claim, Smallwood needs to be scooped up in all but the very smallest leagues. (Getty)
WR: Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals
Ownership Percentage (Yahoo): 4
A.J. Green's hamstring injury is reportedly feared to be season-ending. Rookie Tyler Boyd made the biggest impact in Green's absence on Sunday, turning eight targets into six receptions, 54 yards and a touchdown. Averaging just 10.9 yards per catch this season, he's better suited for PPR leagues, but owners in need of a wide receiver depth can give him a long look in any format. Brandon LaFell (owned in 11 percent of leagues) is also worth consideration, as he figures to become the team's No. 1 outside threat, and he should also probably be cheaper than Boyd if you use FAAB. (Getty)
RB: Mike Gillislee, Buffalo Bills
Ownership Percentage (Yahoo): 24
LeSean McCoy left Sunday's game after hurting his thumb and was soon downgraded to out. Although the injury doesn't sound serious, it's pretty clear that McCoy isn't exactly the most durable player around. Gillislee, who tallied 72 yards on 14 carries and has shown he can produce when given the touches, needs to be stashed in case Shady goes down again. (Getty)
RB: Chris Ivory, Jacksonville Jaguars
Ownership Percentage (Yahoo): 48
T.J. Yeldon wasn't able to escape Sunday's wave of injuries, as he went down in the first half with an ankle injury and wasn't able to return. Although Ivory wasn't able to do much on the ground, tallying 39 yards on 17 carries, he did rack up season-highs (by far) in targets (six), receptions (six) and receiving yards (75). Ivory has a career-low YPC mark this season, but he's still a 20-touch candidate as long as Yeldon is out. That makes him a must-own player in all leagues. (Getty)
WR: Marquess Wilson, Chicago Bears
Ownership Percentage (Yahoo): 0
Active for the first time this season, Wilson turned four targets into just one catch for 35 yards. Nevertheless, Cam Meredith (four catches on four targets, 49 yards) didn't take advantage of Alshon Jeffery's absence, and Wilson was always expected to be eased back into action after missing so much time. The athletic third-year wide receiver showed glimpses of big production last year, and even though he had a quiet return, he has an easy path to becoming Chicago's WR1 with Jeffery is sidelined for the next three games and tight end Zach Miller out for the year with a broken foot. At the very least, he's worth rostering as a wait-and-see option for owners in deep leagues. (Getty)
RB: Ameer Abdullah, Detroit Lions
Ownership Percentage (Yahoo): 9
Fantasy owners who are sitting pretty in the standings should think about adding Abdullah to the back of their bench. He's still on the IR, but there are rumors swirling that he has a chance to be activated in three weeks. That would bring him back in time for the fantasy football players, and considering he was putting up RB2 numbers when healthy, he's worth a stash. If he doesn't come back, then oh well. If he does, you get a potential boost at the most important time of the season. (Getty)
QB: Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles
Ownership Percentage (Yahoo): 32
There are a handful of streaming QB options for Week 12, as Colin Kaepernick has proven to be serviceable, and if you really like to play with fire, Jay Cutler has a favorable matchup at home against a beatable Tennessee Titans defense. But I prefer Wentz, who has played well at home (65.15 completion percentage for 237.0 yards per contest and 5:2 TD:INT ratio in four games) and is up against a Packers defense that has given up some huge stat lines to QB's over the last couple of weeks. (Getty)
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week 12 Pickups