Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups: Donald Brown and More Surprise RBs to Snag

What better time for injuries and uncertainty to strike running backs around the NFL than just before your fantasy football playoffs?

Yeah, I know, it's a lousy situation. Nobody wants to lose Adrian Peterson, James Starks and Fred Jackson, but such is the fragile nature of football. Speaking of fragile (sort of), these ball carriers should help you hold things together and, even better, are balancing on the waiver wire, waiting for you to pick them up.

Donald Brown, Indianapolis Colts

Donald Brown—not exactly a name that inspires confidence in any world, virtual or real.

Then again, it's not like the Colts are going to have Curtis Painter and/or Dan Orlovsky chuck the ball around the field on Sunday, not when they're playing against the Carolina Panthers, who just so happen to sport one of the league's sorriest run defenses.

And if you don't believe me, just ask Kevin Smith, who racked up 201 total yards and three touchdowns against 'em right off his couch.

Seeing as how Indy has already tanked far enough to sprint out to a two-game "lead" in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes, they might as well hand the ball off to Brown, if for no other reason than to appease the scrutinizing eyes of Peyton Manning.

Joe McKnight, New York Jets

So Joe McKnight has one game of consequence and you're telling me I should add to him to my fantasy team?

Yes, because that's how these things tend to work. LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene are both banged-up, leaving J-Mac with the opportunity to relive his college years with Mark Sanchez by running over and around the opposition.

Certainly, the Bills' run defense, the sixth-friendliest in the league for opposing running backs, would be all too happy to oblige.

That is, unless Rex Ryan figures it best to take Sanchez down with the ship.

Da'Rel Scott, New York Giants

New York City hasn't been kind to the health of running backs this season, to which the Giants can certainly attest. Ahmad Bradshaw has hobbled along, and Brandon Jacobs has looked like something less than a shell of his former self.

With that being the case, and the Giants' playoff hopes taking their usual second-half tumble, look for Tom Coughlin to turn to rookie Da'Rel Scott for some solace. True, Scott's only touched the ball five times this season, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

And, by gosh, Big Blue is desperate, so expect Scott to get his licks against the Saints' middling run defense on Sunday.