Published: October 10, 2023, 11:46h.
Last updated: October 10, 2023, 11:46h.
Injuries in the NFL are becoming a concern after the first five games of the season. If you’re looking for potential fantasy football waiver wire pickups heading into Week 6, consider quarterback Gardner Minshew (Indianapolis Colts), rookie running back Roschon Johnson (Chicago Bears), tight end Logan Thomas (Washington Commanders), and wide receiver K.J. Osborn (Minnesota Vikings).
Rookie running back Emari Demercado (Arizona Cardinals) could also be a valuable pickup due to starter James Conner’s expected absence for multiple weeks with a knee injury.
Watch closely for updates on the status of New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, who suffered a neck injury this weekend. If Jones is unable to play in Week 6, the Giants will turn to backup Tyrod Taylor.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams returned to the lineup in Week 5 after serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s gambling policy. Williams had a quiet return with just two catches on three targets, but he’s expected to play a bigger role in the coming weeks, especially with WR #1 Amnon St. Brown nursing an abdomen injury.
Gardner Minshew (QB, Colts)
Rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson has suffered three injuries in the season so far. He recently went down with a shoulder injury in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans and is expected to miss several weeks due to a sprained AC joint on his throwing arm.
Gardner Minshew has already come off the bench three times this season to finish games for the Colts. He also started one game when Richardson suffered a concussion. Minshew has completed 68.7% of his passes this season for 533 yards and two touchdowns. He holds a 1-0 record as a starter in 2023 and led the Colts to a road upset against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3.
Although Minshew has started 25 games in his career, he has only achieved a 9-16 record as a starter. In Week 6, he will have a chance to play against his former team, the Jacksonville Jaguars, seeking revenge after being traded before the 2021 season began.
Roschon Johnson (RB, Bears)
The Bears lost running back Khalil Herbert to a high ankle sprain in a Week 5 victory over the Washington Commanders. Even if Herbert does not land on the injured reserve (IR) list (which requires a minimum four-week stint), he is still expected to miss multiple weeks.
Rookie running back Roschon Johnson now has an opportunity to receive more touches in the upcoming weeks. Johnson was selected by the Bears with a fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft from Texas, where he served as a capable backup behind Bijan Robinson.
Johnson exited Thursday Night Football with a head injury, but he is expected to clear concussion protocol with the additional rest time leading into Week 6 against the Minnesota Vikings.
Robinson has recorded 122 rushing yards and one touchdown this season, along with 58 receiving yards on 11 receptions.
Veteran D’Onta Foreman is also on the roster but has seen minimal playing time in the first five games. Foreman has only carried the ball five times and made two receptions this season, but he should see an increased role as the backup running back behind Johnson.
Logan Thomas (TE, Commanders)
If you are in need of a tight end, consider Logan Thomas, who has been gradually increasing his production. With Eric Bieniemy joining the Commanders as their new offensive coordinator this season, the team should be more comfortable with the playbook after five games. Bieniemy, the former OC of the Kansas City Chiefs, historically emphasizes the use of tight ends in his offense.
Thomas had his best performance of the season in a blowout loss against the Bears in Week 5. He caught nine passes for 77 yards and one touchdown. Quarterback Sam Howell targeted Thomas 11 times last week.
The Commanders will face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6. Tight ends playing against the Falcons have had success this season, as the Falcons are ranked among the bottom five teams in points allowed to tight ends in 2023.
K.J. Osborn (WR, Vikings)
The Vikings placed superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson on injured reserve (IR) after he suffered a hamstring injury in Week 5. This opens up a significant increase in targets for rookie wide receiver Jordan Addison from quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Osborn has been utilized as the Vikings’ third option this season but is poised for a breakout week. In Week 5, after Jefferson exited the game, Osborn stepped up with five catches for 49 yards.
A third-year wide receiver from Miami, Osborn has recorded 13 receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns this season, averaging 12.8 yards per catch. During his first two seasons in Minnesota, Osborn caught 115 receptions for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns as the team’s WR #3.