Anthony Richardson Injury: Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Replacement Pickups (Week 6)

With the injury to Anthony Richardson, fantasy football managers are left with a potential void on their roster. Let’s check out the extent of the injury and players you can target on your waiver wire this week. And be sure to check out our full Week 6 fantasy football waiver wire advice article here.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Injury Replacement Pickups

Injury Outlook

Anthony Richardson could miss a month or more with AC joint sprain

Anthony Richardson received an initial diagnosis of a Grade 3 AC joint sprain and could miss a month or more with the injury, according to a report from NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Richardson has an MRI on Monday to confirm. Gardner Minshew is expected to start for the Colts with Richardson sidelined.

Fantasy Impact

Richardson has left three of the four games he started this season and missed the team’s Week 3 matchup against the Ravens. The rookie has flashed his potential: he has four rushing TDs and 136 rushing yards in four games despite the limited playing time and has completed 50 of his 84 pass attempts for 577 yards, 3 TDs, and 1 INT. Unfortunately, his style of play has led to injuries to begin his career, and he may be more of a boom/bust option for fantasy managers until Richardson can show he can protect himself and finish games. With Richardson out, Gardner Minshew will start in his place and is a serviceable backup, but he’s only someone worth targeting in superflex and two QB leagues.

Mike Maher

Waiver Wire Replacements to Target

Sam Howell (WAS): 34% rostered

• Next Opponents: @ATL, @NYG, PHI
• True value: $9
• Desperate need: $14
• Budget-minded: $3

Analysis: I tried to tell y’all two weeks ago. Hopefully you listened and picked up Howell for pennies on the dollar and a sterling upcoming schedule. He now has three 20-point fantasy performances in five games and, aside from the beatdown vs. Buffalo, has finished no worse than QB14 in any game this season. He’s QB5 overall right now but still the best streaming option readily available on waivers. Grab him and enjoy this season’s Geno Smith.

Derek Carr (LV): 24% rostered

• Next Opponents: @HOU, JAX, @IND
• True value: $5
• Desperate need: $11
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: While I would normally let Carr and his touchdown allergies waste away on the wire, he is entering a wild stretch of favorable games that extends all the way to the Saints’ Week 11 bye. New Orleans absolutely destroyed New England in Week 5. Carr looked sharp and showed no ill effects from his shoulder strain. Chris Olave and Michael Thomas have proven to be worthy weapons, while Alvin Kamara’s return to the field has worked wonders in keeping Carr’s jersey clean, letting him check down before taking too many shots.

Bryce Young (CAR): 10% rostered

• Next Opponents: @MIA, BYE, HOU
• True value: $3
• Desperate need: $8
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Has the rookie No. 1 pick looked good this season? No. He was still QB9 this week with three touchdown passes on 41 attempts. This is a one-week stream. It would be a two-week stream if you picked him up for his mop-up statistical outburst against Detroit in Week 5 (told ya so!). Miami will, in all likelihood, crush Carolina just like Detroit did. Young is still a remarkable passer and will put up solid fantasy numbers when the Dolphins inevitably soften coverage later in the game.

Desmond Ridder (ATL): 5% rostered

• Next Opponents: WAS, @TB, @TEN
• True value: $3
• Desperate need: $7
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Do my eyes deceive me, or was Atlanta’s passing game … kinda good in Week 5? Ridder unleashed 37 attempts, including a season-high 11 targets to Kyle Pitts, en route to 329 passing yards and a QB6 performance in a win over Houston. Next up are the Commanders, who have been eviscerated through the air this season. Most recently, they were carved up by Justin Fields and the previously scuffling Bears offense. Give Arthur Smith credit. He adjusted to loaded boxes with a solid game plan that revolved around getting more work to Pitts and Drake London. That same formula should have similar success versus Washington.