After missing four weeks with a hamstring strain, Evan Engram returned to action and played the last two games. However, he is still dealing with the effects of the injury as he remains on the practice report. What is the latest on Engram’s status? Should fantasy football managers be concerned?
Let’s go over everything we know about Engram’s ongoing hamstring issue.
What Happened to Evan Engram?
Engram first injured his hamstring in pregame warmups back in Week 2. He missed four games before returning in Week 6. Upon his return, he hit the ground running, catching all 10 of his targets for 102 yards. Engram also lost a fumble in the Jaguars’ ugly loss to the Chicago Bears.
Evan Engram is back! pic.twitter.com/As0RW35jB9
— Fitz (@LaurieFitzptrck) October 13, 2024
The 30-year-old isn’t quite back to full health, as he logged limited practices on both Wednesday and Thursday ahead of Week 7. He did get in a full practice on Friday, though, and did not carry an injury designation.
It’s common for players to remain on injury reports after returning from lengthy injury absences. Given Engram’s importance to Jacksonville’s offense, the Jaguars may be trying to lighten his load during practices before unleashing him on game days.
That seems to be the case again this week, as Engram opened with a limited session at Wednesday’s practice. Given no report of a setback, combined with Engram having caught all 15 of his targets since returning from injury, there’s no reason to worry about his status for Week 8.
Fantasy Implications of Engram’s Hamstring Injury
Engram is a must-start this weekend. Tight end is a black hole in fantasy football, and he has plenty of upside against a Packers defense seeing 24.3% of its total receiving yards go to tight ends. The Packers allow the 10th-most fantasy points per game to the position.
Engram isn’t quite playing a full complement of snaps, but that’s nothing new. He’s been at 61% and 56% in his two games back but was only at 68% in Week 1. Even though he’s only running a route on 64% of Trevor Lawrence’s dropbacks, Engram is being targeted on a second-best 35.2% of his routes run. That type of usage is truly elite. Engram is a must-start TE1.