Fantasy football managers know that the tight end position lacks depth on a good week, and that is what makes tracking the fantasy injury updates for these three so valuable — this isn’t a good week, there are six teams on a bye! Should you feel comfortable in starting Sam LaPorta, Dallas Goedert, or Pat Freiermuth if you roster them?
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Injury Updates for Top Fantasy Football Tight Ends
Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
- Injury: Calf
- Week 7 Opponent: at Baltimore Ravens
The talented rookie battled through this calf injury and earned a season-high 11 targets last week in Tampa Bay, and all signs point to him suiting up this week as well.
While the injury has limited his participation in practice (like it did last week), the next report suggesting a DNP likely will be the first. LaPorta played 83% of the snaps last week, right in line with expectations, and he has established himself as the clear No. 2 option in this passing game behind Amon-Ra St. Brown.
MORE: Fantasy Injury Update: Detroit Lions RBs Impacting Rankings
With David Montgomery likely sidelined, Detroit will need to bank on the short pass game to supplement their ground attack, landing LaPorta inside the top five within our PFN Consensus Rankings.
Rookie tight ends have had an extended learning curve when it comes to providing consistent fantasy production over the years, but we are looking at an outlier that you should feel comfortable locking in each and every week moving forward.
Editor’s note: LaPorta has been medically cleared and will carry no injury designation into Sunday.
Analysis last updated at 4:05 PM ET on Friday, October 20.
Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
- Injury: Groin
- Week 7 Opponent: vs. Miami Dolphins (SNF)
Goedert has been limited this week in practice, though reporting out of Philadelphia seems to be painting the picture of management more than true concern. While the fantasy results have been underwhelming to say the least through six weeks (one finish better than TE15), the volume has been consistent.
In four of the past five games, Goedert has earned at least seven targets, providing a threat in the middle of the field while A.J. Brown produces on the perimeter. There is obvious concern about Goedert’s lack of raw numbers. But I’m trusting the opportunity in a strong offense and slotting him inside of my top 10 at the position.
The long-term concern for Goedert centers around DeVonta Smith and if he can get on track. This offense has enough volume to support two pass catchers on a consistent basis, but supporting a third might be a stretch and opens the door for Goedert to fall outside of the weekly-lineup-lock tier should Smith begin to turn things around.
Editor’s note: Goedert has been medically cleared and will carry no injury designation into Sunday.
Analysis last updated at 4:15 PM ET on Friday, October 20.
Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Injury: Hamstring
- Week 7 Opponent: at Los Angeles Rams
Coming out of the Week 6 bye, there was some optimism that Freiermuth would be set to return to action after missing just one game with a bulky hamstring. However, after aggravating the injury on Thursday, he has been ruled OUT for Week 7 and his timetable is unclear.
On Saturday, he was placed on injured reserve, ruling him out for not only this game, but the next three as well. Fantasy managers need to be overly concerned. After averaging 6.1 targets per game a season ago, he’s yet to earn more than four in a game in 2023. On top of that, he offers very little yardage upside to support any sort of floor (53 yards across his four games), making him dependent on finding the end zone.
With Diontae Johnson back in the mix and George Pickens developing as a top target, there simply isn’t enough volume in this Pittsburgh offense to justify holding onto Freiermuth through this injury or for streaming him at anything less than full health in a perfect matchup.