We've made it to Week 12 of the 2012 NFL season. That means that thankfully the bye weeks are finally in the rearview mirror, and Individual Defensive Player (IDP) owners no longer have to deal with patching holes in their lineups caused by players taking a one-week siesta. However, that doesn't mean that there aren't still holes to be plugged, as injuries and lack of production leave fantasy owners scrambling to field a lineup that can get their squads a much needed victory and into the fantasy postseason. Unfortunately, another sad fact of this point in the season is that in many IDP leagues there just isn't a whole lot left on the waiver wire, making it very difficult to find impact players. With that said, that doesn't mean that there's nothing out there, and here's a look at some players that are available in the majority of IDP leagues that have enough fantasy value to at least merit consideration. PICKUP OF THE WEEK DeAndre Levy, OLB, Detroit: The fourth-year pro missed time earlier in the season with a hamstring injury, but Levy returned to the lineup two weeks ago against the Minnesota Vikings and has been fairly productive, notching 14 total tackles over that stretch. Granted, that production is far from eye-popping, but Levy and the Lions face a Houston Texans team on Thanksgiving that is among the NFL leaders in tackle opportunities allowed, making him worth a look as a Week 12 matchup play. Ahtyba Rubin, DT, Cleveland: After notching 80-plus tackles each of the past two seasons, Rubin was one of top players selected in fantasy leagues this year, but a calf injury and long layoff led to Rubin being cut loose in many IDP leagues. However, the fifth-year pro was back in the lineup Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, and, after logging six total tackles and a sack, Rubin will be working his way back onto many IDP rosters as well, especially in leagues that require defensive tackles. Will Smith, DE, New Orleans: It's been a very tumultuous 2012 season for New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith, who was one of the players engulfed in the "Bountygate" scandal. The ninth-year veteran has been on something of a hot streak of late, tallying 13 total tackles and three sacks over the past three games, and, given how little remains on the waiver wire along the defensive front at this point in the year, that sort of production more than makes the 31-year-old worth a pickup. D.J. Williams, LB, Denver: After being suspended for the first nine ...

We're eight weeks into the 2011 season, and with only two bye weeks remaining it won't be long until fantasy owners will once again have their full compliment of players to choose from. That said the injury bug took a couple good sized bites this past weekend, leaving holes in Pittsburgh and a potential chasm in Dallas and forcing IDP enthusiasts to once again start searching for injury replacements. With that in mind here are some players that should be available on many IDP waiver wires that are worth targeting as we head into Week 9. PICKUP OF THE WEEK Larry Foote -- ILB, Pittsburgh Steelers: The Pittsburgh LB corps has been decimated by injuries, with James Farrior (calf) and Lamarr Woodley (hamstring) joining James Harrison (eye) on the shelf. The injuries have propelled the 31-year old Foote back into an every-down role on the inside for the Steelers, and with a favorable matchup upcoming against the hated Ravens, Foote is easily the most attractive option on most IDP waiver wires this week. Marcell Dareus -- DT/DE, Buffalo Bills: The Bills moved Dareus to nose tackle last week to take over for the injured Kyle Williams and the rookie responded, notching four tackles and 2.5 sacks in the win over the Washington Redskins. Dareus is a more appealing IDP option in leagues where he has DT eligibility, but IDP owners in need of DL help of any sort would be well advised to give the former Alabama standout a look. Chris Long -- DE, St. Louis Rams: A prolonged dry spell led to Long being jettisoned in many IDP leagues, but the fourth year pro broke out of it in a big way Sunday, sacking Drew Brees three times in the Rams' shocking win over the New Orleans Saints. If an impatient owner in your league cut Howie's kid loose snatch him up, as their loss could easily become your gain. Keith Brooking -- ILB, Dallas Cowboys: Sean Lee was forced from Monday's blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles with a dislocated wrist, thrusting Brooking back into the Cowboys' lineup and giving Lee's IDP owners a small aneurysm. Brooking looked every bit of 36 years old but did manage to rack up five solos, and while Lee will reportedly try to play through the injury Brooking is a decent speculative add or "handcuff" for Lee owners. Gerald McRath -- OLB, Tennessee Titans: McRath entered Sunday's win over the Indianapolis Colts in place of the injured Will Witherspoon and played fairly well, making six total tackles in a game where tackle opportunities were few and far ...