Week 12 Waiver Wire Breakout Fantasy Football Pickups from Sunday's Box Scores

Injuries are one of the toughest elements of football to navigate, especially in fantasy football, where one key injury can derail a manager's season for good.

Luckily, a pair of undrafted, third-year players stepped up for their respective teams and proved themselves worthy of consideration for playing time in managers' leagues in Week 12.

Who are they and which waiver wire defense/special teams unit is worthy of a start?

Find out in this early preview of the coming week in fantasy football.

All stats via FantasyPros.com unless otherwise noted.

Cleveland Browns D/ST

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For all of the negativity surrounding the Cleveland Browns organization and its seeming inability to draft, develop, or start a an above-average player at the most important position on the field, the team's defensive unit has been one of the best in the league this season.

Sunday, they bent but did not break against the Baltimore Ravens.

They gave up over 300 yards of offense but forced three turnovers and held Lamar Jackson in check for the most part.

In Week 12, Cleveland travels to Las Vegas to play a Raiders team that is no stranger to turnovers, as quarterback Geno Smith ranks second in the league with 12 interceptions.

Sure, the black and silver has Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers, both of whom are young superstars-in-the-making who can do damage, but the Browns defense allows the second-fewest yards per game in the NFL this season.

Managers with defense/special teams units on a bye week should grab Cleveland because they have, arguably, the best match-up of the week.

Sean Tucker, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have come up short against the Buffalo Bills but running back Sean Tucker staked his claim to an increased role in the offense.

The undrafted, third-year player out of Syracuse was one of the best players on the field Sunday, finding the end zone three times and finishing the early slate as the best fantasy performer at his position.

Tucker carried 19 times for 106 yards and two touchdowns, then added a receiving touchdown on two receptions and 34 yards.

Bucky Irving could be back as soon as next week. While that may be a cause for hesitation in picking Tucker up, the undrafted back played his way into meaningful snaps and should continue to get looks, regardless of who starts in the backfield.

Tucker is available in over 75 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues.

Emanuel Wilson, RB, Green Bay Packers

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Packers starting running back Josh Jacobs suffered what early reports say is not a season-ending knee injury Sunday against the Giants, with more testing coming Monday.

That opened the door for backup Emanuel Wilson to earn some carries and he finished the day with 11 carries, 40 yards, and a touchdown on the ground, and one reception for nine yards.

While it is not yet known for how long Jacobs will be out, if at all, Wilson should see an increased workload for Green Bay.

The undrafted third-year player out of Fort Valley State University has carried 53 times for 220 yards and caught 11 balls for 69 yards this season and has found the endzone once.

For the Packers to get where they want to go this season, they will need production from the running back position and whether that is on the ground or in the passing game, Wilson will get opportunities to contribute.

His situation is too good to pass up the opportunity to add him. Wilson is available in nearly all leagues in ESPN and Yahoo fantasy.