Trevor Lawrence Injury: Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Replacement Pickups (Week 16)

With the injury to Trevor Lawrence, fantasy football managers are left with a 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 here’s all of our fantasy football waiver wire advice for Week 16.

• More Waiver Wire Picks
• Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
• Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
• Fantasy Football Trade Tools

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Injury Replacement Pickups

Injury Outlook

Trevor Lawrence throws one TD, placed in concussion protocol in Week 15
Trevor Lawrence completed 25 of his 43 passes for 264 yards and one touchdown while adding 41 yards on four carries in a 23-7 loss to the Ravens in Week 15.

Fantasy Impact

Lawrence lost two fumbles on a rough night for the Jacksonville offense. His lone touchdown pass went to Jamal Agnew on a 65-yard pass in the third quarter. Lawrence took a big hit near the end of the game and was placed in the league’s concussion protocol following the final whistle, according to head coach Doug Pederson. Lawrence will now have to pass through the league’s concussion protocol to be able to play in Week 16 against the Buccaneers. If Lawrence can’t suit up, backup C.J. Beathard would get the start.

Matthew Terelle

Waiver Wire Replacements to Target

Gardner Minshew (IND): 25% rostered

• Next Opponents: @ATL, LV, HOU
• True value: $4
• Desperate need: $7
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: Ever the pleasant surprise, Minshew tossed three touchdown passes against the Steelers on Sunday. Top WR Michael Pittman left the game with a concussion in the first half, making Minshew’s exploits all the more impressive. The Falcons have a stout run defense, but they have struggled defending the pass this season. A one-week moonlighting role for a berth in the fantasy championship round is a perfect place to stream Minshew Mania.

Jake Browning (CIN): 47% rostered

• Next Opponents: @PIT, @KC, CLE
• True value: $3
• Desperate need: $6
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Until Sunday, I was ready to stream a different QB in Week 16, with T.J. Watt and the Steelers looming for the Bengals. But Browning has been prolific for three weeks running, while Pittsburgh has been embarrassed in three consecutive games. Browning put up a modest 14.98 fantasy points against the Steelers in Week 12, so the QB1 upside we’ve been enjoying might come to an end. But Browning has been a pretty reliable source of fantasy points since taking over for the injured Joe Burrow.

Joe Flacco (CLE): 24% rostered

• Next Opponents: @HOU, NYJ, @CIN
• True value: $2
• Desperate need: $4
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Even with three mind-numbing interceptions on Sunday, Flacco diced up the Bears defense for 374 yards and two touchdowns. It was his third start this season and his third game with 20 or more fantasy points. Houston has had an opportunistic defense under DeMeco Ryans, but the Texans are far from a bad matchup. Flacco has perhaps the safest floor of any Week 16 streaming option.

Derek Carr (NO): 39% rostered

• Next Opponents: @LAR, @TB, ATL
• True value: $1
• Desperate need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: He finally did it. For the first time since Week 9 and fourth time this season, Carr surpassed 20 fantasy points on Sunday versus the Giants. He accomplished this without top WR Chris Olave, which bodes well for the Saints’ final three games this season. All three opponents have pass-funnel defenses, so Carr will likely need to drop back more often to keep his team in contention to win the NFC South.