If you took a chance on rookie QB Anthony Richardson in your fantasy football draft, you were feeling pretty good early on Sunday. The young QB scored two rushing TDs early on, and he looked to be on his way to a monster game.
Unfortunately, an injury dashed the hopes of a massive fantasy week, and fantasy football managers are nervous about his status moving forward.
Are you looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Are you having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Check out PFN’s FREE Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer and Start/Sit Optimizer to help you make the right decision.
Latest News Surrounding Anthony Richardson
During Richardson’s second rushing TD on Sunday against the Houston Texans, it looked like he hit the back of his head and might have gotten a concussion.
This was in the first quarter. Richardson re-entered the game before reporting any concussion symptoms but left the field in the second quarter and did not return. Backup Gardner Minshew II finished the game.
Richardson is currently in the concussion protocol.
Update: Richardson was spotted at practice on Thursday but did not participate. He did not practice again Friday, and Ian Rapoport reported that “Gardner Minshew will start for Indy.”
No practice once again for #Colts QB Anthony Richardson (concussion protocol). Gardner Minshew will start for Indy.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 22, 2023
Will Richardson Play This Week?
This is the second week in a row that Richardson has clocked an injury — Week 1 was his knee — and this is to be somewhat expected from a rushing QB of his caliber.
That being said, if the Indianapolis Colts would like to have Richardson under center for the large majority of the season, they will have to protect him better and attempt to have him be more careful with his style of play.
The Colts have not released much information on Richardson’s current status, so we don’t have a concrete answer to whether he will play in Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens.
An NFL source has said that he believes that Richardson is “likely out,” but make sure to monitor practice reports.
What Does This Mean for Richardson’s Fantasy Ranking?
If Richardson does not play this Sunday, it will be Minshew again under center. Assuming fantasy managers drafted Richardson to be their second option, most managers will have a pivot available.
If you do not have another QB on your roster, there are better options on the waiver wire than Minshew.
MORE: 2023 Dynasty QB Rankings | Week 3 Waiver Wire Rankings
If Richardson does clear protocol, it will be difficult to bench a player with such a high upside. However, we won’t know if the Colts will have tweaked Richardson’s playing style to lengthen his tenure.
Either way, there are better options available for fantasy managers this week, as the Baltimore defense is nothing to sneeze at.
CAN’T CATCH ANTHONY RICHARDSON
pic.twitter.com/b9r1YwtIH2— PFF (@PFF) September 17, 2023
The worst thing to happen would be to start Richardson and he gets injured again. Give the young man a little time to get right before you plug him back into your starting lineup.