A lot of injuries to defensive players are sending Fantasy owners scrambling. Here are some details:

Defensive ends Patrick Kerney (shoulder) and Aaron Schobel (foot) are in the midst of a multi-game deactivation skid thanks to injuries. Neither one is a lock to come back this season. Beefy Patriots defensive end Ty Warren missed the team's Week 11 game with a groin injury and Kyle Vanden Bosch might miss his second game for the Titans with the same injury. Tamba Hali is one of the walking wounded for the Chiefs with an ankle injury and Jared Allen of the Vikings is playing through a shoulder separation.

Patriots LB Adalius Thomas has a broken arm but the club isn't placing him on Injured Reserve because they hope to get him back for the playoffs. Fantasy owners have already lost Nick Barnett, D.J. Williams and Zach Diles -- both top 30 Fantasy LBs -- for the season. The Titans' Keith Bulluck is working through a chest/rib injury while the Chiefs' Derrick Johnson isn't a lock to play as he struggles with a thigh problem. And Jets linebacker David Harris, who was a Fantasy hero a year ago, hasn't played in a couple of weeks with a groin ailment of his own.

Buccaneers safety Jermaine Phillips has a broken forearm that is keeping him out of action. Nick Harper of the Titans has been limited by an ankle injury, as has the Colts' Antoine Bethea. Rodney Harrison and Marlin Jackson are out for the year while Champ Bailey continues to rest his groin.

Unlike traditional Fantasy play where drafting a backup to start for your injured star is commonplace, in IDP leagues owners usually have to scour the waiver wire for help. Because most leagues have just 10 or 12 owners starting two or three defensive players at a position, there is always someone out there to pick up in place of an injured or underperforming star.

And sometimes, the replacement turns out to be better than the drafted talent. Here are some surprises thus far in 2008:

Dolphins SS Yeremiah Bell At the beginning of the year, the Dolphins' secondary was considered a joke. Thanks to excellent play up front, the corners and safeties in the southern end of the Sunshine State have gained some Fantasy value. Bell doesn't have an interception but does have 71 total tackles, a fumble recovery (three forced fumbles) and seven passes defensed.

Packers FS Nick Collins Collins' lofty status as one of the premier scorers in Fantasy play is thanks to three interception-returns for touchdowns on the season. Take away the scores but not the interceptions and you'll find that he's still a top-50 overall option, but not a must-start.

Titans CB Cortland Finnegan Left off Fantasy rosters in 80 percent of CBSSports.com leagues, Finnegan has emerged as a top-five player among all IDPs thanks to his four interceptions and 30 total tackles. Now he's unowned in just 20 percent of leagues.

Patriots rookie LB Jerod Mayo Mayo had a 20-total-tackle game against the Jets in Week 11, thanks in part to the Jets running Thomas Jones 30 times. He has 85 total tackles through 10 games and should come close to 125 total on the season.

The moral of the story? If you're unhappy with your current defensive player, finding a replacement is a cinch. Wish it was that easy to find a new running back.

DL matchups

Panthers vs. Lions O-line/passing game The combination of a suspect Lions O-line playing outdoors with the heavy-footed Daunte Culpepper at quarterback makes for a dandy of a matchup for the Panthers. The Lions have given up twice as many sacks (34) as they've recorded (17).
Players to watch: Julius Peppers, Charles Johnson, Tyler Brayton

LB matchups

Dolphins vs. Raiders run game Oakland's passing offense is worn down and talentless. Its run game, however, is going to be at full strength with Darren McFadden playing in Week 11. Look for at least 25 called runs between McFadden and Justin Fargas, making a heavy workload for the Dolphins' linebackers to knock them back.
Players to watch: Joey Porter, Channing Crowder, Akin Ayodele

Packers vs. Bears run game Especially with Nick Barnett done for the season, the Bears should come off the bus running against Green Bay. A.J. Hawk will move to the middle of the Green Bay defense, but he'll only be able to cover so much ground. He'll get some help, and he'll need it.
Players to watch: A.J. Hawk, Brady Poppinga, Desmond Bishop

Jaguars vs. Titans run game Even though the Titans threw a bunch last week at Chicago, chances are they won't repeat the feat unless they have to against the Jaguars this week. The Titans' powerful rushing duo ran the ball 30 total times in their Week 1 meeting and should have a similar formula this week.
Players to watch: Daryl Smith, Justin Durant

DB matchups

Steelers vs. Chargers pass game With San Diego's run game already lagging compared to past years, and the Steelers' incredible run defense, it's only going to be a matter of time until Philip Rivers is forced to put the ball in the air. Even with some defensive backs missing, the Steelers should capitalize.
Players to watch: Ike Taylor, Troy Polamalu, Ryan Clark, Tyrone Carter

Falcons vs. Broncos pass game At least the Chargers have a running game -- the Broncos are left with fullbacks and re-treads at running back. That said, Jay Cutler should put the ball up somewhere between 40 and 50 times on Sunday, raising the chances for an interception for the Falcons' DBs.
Players to watch: Erik Coleman, Lawyer Milloy, Brent Grimes, Chris Houston