With the injury to Bucky Irving, 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 fantasy football waiver wire this week. And here is all of our fantasy football waiver wire advice for Week 6.
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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Injury Replacements
Injury Outlook
Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) out Week 6 for Tampa
Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) has been ruled out for Week 6 against San Francisco.
Fantasy Impact
With Irving out once again, Rachaad White looks set to take over the main running back job. Sean Tucker will have a small role, but he’s not fantasy relevant based on his previous usage.
Garrett Ball
Waiver Wire Replacements to Target
Hassan Haskins (RB – LAC)
Chargers RB Omarion Hampton has been placed on injured reserve with a foot injury, leaving the Chargers scrambling to fill the void. Haskins, who played for Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh at the University of Michigan, figures to be part of the replacement plan, though he’s likely to share work with Kimani Vidal and perhaps others. (The Chargers could potentially re-sign Gus Edwards.) The 6-foot-1, 220-pound Haskins is bigger than Vidal and is the best bet to handle goal-line work. In his final college season at Michigan in 2021, Haskins ran for 1,327 yards and 20 touchdowns. But Haskins is a plodder with minimal pass-catching ability, so he’s unlikely to play on passing downs. Haskins is worth an investment if you have a screaming need at running back, but realize that he probably won’t have the backfield to himself while Hampton is out. Also consider that the Chargers’ offensive line has been decimated by injuries.
Every waiver wire article this week covered the Chargers’ backfield at length. Hassan Haskins (46.3%) is rostered in too many ESPN leagues to qualify for this article. Yet, I would rather start Vidal this week. Both backup running backs have had little fantasy impact in their careers. However, Vidal was the better running back after Omarion Hampton got hurt last week. He averaged 4.5 yards per rushing attempt, totaling 2.9 PPR fantasy points in Week 5. By comparison, Haskins averaged 2.6 yards per rushing attempt, totaling 2.5 fantasy points.
Unfortunately, neither backup will likely have meaningful fantasy value over the next month with Hampton on injured reserve. However, Vidal and Haskins are potential flex options this week because of the matchup against Miami. The Dolphins have surrendered 133.6 rushing yards and 27.1 fantasy points per game to running backs, the fifth-most in the NFL. Last week, they gave up 206 rushing yards, a touchdown, and 32.4 fantasy points to Rico Dowdle. Don’t be surprised if Vidal and Haskins both score double-digit fantasy points against an awful Miami run defense.
Troy Franklin (WR – DEN)
Troy Franklin has two top-36 wide receiver finishes this season (WR7, WR36). He entered Week 5 with a 72.8% route share, a 19.7% target share, a 30.6% air-yard share, 1.78 yards per route run (49 receiving yards per game) and a 21.3% first-read share, per Fantasy Points Data. Franklin walked away from Week 5 with a strong 79% route share, but he only had a 12.8% target share and 35 receiving yards, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). Franklin should provide solid Flex value this week against a Jets secondary that, aside from cornerback Sauce Gardner, scares no one. Franklin follows that up with plus matchups against the Giants and Cowboys, who entered Week 5 having given up the most and fifth-most fantasy points per game to perimeter wide receivers, respectively.
The 49ers have been obliterated by injuries this season. They won’t have George Kittle for the fifth consecutive game on Sunday. Furthermore, Ricky Pearsall likely won’t play after missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday. While Jauan Jennings is trending towards playing after being a limited participant in Thursday’s practice, Bourne is an appealing flex option in Week 6. Last week, the veteran was the star of San Francisco’s offense, totaling 10 receptions on 11 targets for 142 receiving yards and 24.2 PPR fantasy points, leading the team in every category.
Fantasy players shouldn’t expect another 20-point performance from Bourne this week, especially if Jennings plays. However, the veteran has a fantasy-friendly matchup against the Buccaneers. Tampa has surrendered 31.2 fantasy points per game to two wide receivers this year, slightly above the league average. Yet, they have allowed at least two receiving touchdowns and 41.1 fantasy points to wide receivers in two of their past three games. Last week, the Buccaneers gave up 18 receptions for 266 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and 56.6 fantasy points to the Seattle Seahawks’ wide receiver corps.
Thornton has quietly been the best pass catcher on the Chiefs this season. He is the team’s highest-scoring fantasy wide receiver, ranking as the WR26 for the year, averaging 11.6 PPR fantasy points per game. While the former Baylor star has had five or fewer targets in all but one game, Thornton doesn’t need significant touches to make an impact because of his big-play abilities. He has scored 12 or more fantasy points in three of the past four weeks, including in Week 5, thanks to a 34-yard reception.
While the veteran’s fantasy value will take a hit when Rashee Rice returns from his suspension next week, Thornton is a solid upside flex option against the Lions. Detroit has surrendered 35.6 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the seventh-most in the NFL. Last week, they gave up 14 receptions for 214 receiving yards, three touchdowns, and 53.4 fantasy points to the Cincinnati Bengals’ wide receiver corps, all season-highs. Furthermore, Lions will likely be without multiple starters in the secondary because of injury, including their top two cornerbacks.
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