Week 11 is winding down, and the injury bug further derailed everyone’s chances at making a strong run toward the playoffs. Week 11 saw Devonta Freeman get concussed mid-way through the first quarter, along with two significant injuries to the Ravens’ Joe Flacco and Justin Forsett. Therefore, with only two weeks left before the playoffs begin, the waiver wire becomes particularly important for those teams suffering injuries week after week. Below are five players I would consider adding to your teams this coming week.

QB Brock Osweiler, Denver Broncos

Osweiler, who was the Broncos’ second round pick in the 2012 draft, made his first career start on Sunday on his 25th birthday and led the Broncos to a hard-fought victory on the road in Chicago against the Bears. Osweiler, out of Arizona State, was highly touted out of college and has the potential to succeed in the NFL due to his good decision-making skills and his big body. At 6’8”, Osweiler is one of the tallest quarterbacks in recent memory, and he has the ability to see downfield better than most quarterbacks in the league. Additionally, he has two of the better receivers in the NFL to throw to downfield, in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Osweiler was able to lead the Broncos to victory without Sanders on Sunday. On the day, he completed 20 of his 27 passes, throwing for 250 yards and two touchdowns. With lots of uncertainty surrounding the health of Peyton Manning, Osweiler may be a good play over the next few weeks. The Broncos have a tough matchup against the Patriots next week, but have fairly favorable matchups after that game against the Chargers and the Raiders.

RB Spencer Ware, Kansas City Chiefs

Ever since the Chiefs lost star running back Jamaal Charles to a season-ending knee injury, the Chiefs had primarily turned to Charcandrick West to man the backfield. Up until this week, West had done a very nice job in the Chiefs backfield, as he scored a touchdown in his last three games prior to this week’s game against the Chargers. This week, in the Chiefs’ blowout victory against the Chargers, West had a minimal impact, rushing for only 16 yards on 11 carries. As a result, the Chiefs turned to Spencer Ware, the 2013 6th round pick of the Seattle Seahawks to make an impact on the game. On the game, Ware ended up rushing for 96 yards on 11 carries with two touchdowns, including a 52-yard touchdown run. He also caught one pass for five yards. While West will almost certainly remain the starter, I expect Ware’s carries to increase throughout the weeks to come.

RB Javorius “Buck” Allen, Baltimore Ravens

After Justin Forsett broke his arm early in the Ravens’ come-from-behind victory in Week 11 against the Rams, Allen came in and carried the ball 22 times. From here on out, he figures to be the go-to running back in the Baltimore offense, which should lean heavily on the running game moving forward after Joe Flacco tore his ACL in the victory, as well. Allen, the Ravens’ fourth round pick in this past year’s draft out of USC, has seen limited success this season, but figures to have a favorable matchup starting next week against a poor Browns defense. Allen had not gotten double digit carries in a game this year until this week, and has yet to score a touchdown this season. But, as a starting running back, he figures to be a quality fantasy option as a rusher and pass catcher. After replacing Forsett, he rushed for 67 yards on 22 carries, in addition to catching five passes for 48 yards. Again, with Joe Flacco now out for the season, I expect Baltimore to rely heavily on its running game.

WR Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks

Russell Wilson looked like the quarterback we all loved as a Badger. He threw for three touchdowns on the day, two of which went to Tyler Lockett. Lockett, who suffered a scary injury in a game against the Cowboys during Week 8 but came out unscathed, is part of a relatively unknown Seattle receiving corps, but his Week 11 performance certainly helped in gaining the trust of Wilson. Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, and Lockett make up a pretty inconsistent group of receivers, but Lockett’s explosiveness makes him a deep threat every game, and as he continues to see an increase in targets, his potential for a big-time touchdown should continue to increase. The Seahawks will be relying on Lockett over the next several weeks as Seattle continues to push for a playoff berth. In the Seahawks’ Week 11 victory over the 49ers, Lockett caught four passes for 48 yards and two touchdowns, and also rushed once for five yards.

WR Devin Funchess, Carolina Panthers

Funchess, the former Michigan Wolverine and fourth round pick by the Panthers in this past year’s draft, made his first career NFL start this week and certainly did not disappoint. He received a career-high eight targets in the blowout victory against the Redskins, and finished with four catches for 64 yards and a touchdown on the day. His eight targets led the Panthers on Sunday, and his touchdown catch was his second over the last three weeks. There’s no reason to believe he cannot be the lead receiver for the undefeated Panthers over the coming weeks, as he is really starting to gain the trust of Cam Newton. Funchess is also a constant long ball threat, and Newton has not been afraid to let it loose this season. Funchess has a very favorable matchup in a Thanksgiving Day game against the Cowboys in Week 12.

Image: Allen