Two big-name tight ends both look like they could be active in Week 14, as Evan Engram and Austin Hooper bolster the tight end rankings with probable returns from injury. Things don't look as good for Greg Olsen, but his absence would create a tight end sleeper in Ian Thomas. And then there are Gerald Everett and David Njoku, two trickier situations that will cause start 'em, sit 'em headaches throughout the day on Sunday.
For updates on banged-up WRs Adam Thielen, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Julio Jones and more, click here; for news on injured RBs Dalvin Cook, Josh Jacobs, Marlon Mack, and more, go here. Follow us on Twitter for more news and updates @SN_Fantasy.
WEEK 14 NON-PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Is Greg Olsen playing in Week 14?
Olsen (concussion) didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday and he's going to be in a race to be cleared by the league's concussion protocol ahead of Sunday's game in Atlanta. Ian Thomas would start if Olsen is out.
Thomas becomes a serious streaming option if Olsen is out and makes for a very easy plug-and-play replacement for Olsen owners. Thomas' stats this season have been almost non-existent, but that's because he and Olsen almost never are on the field at the same time. If Olsen is out, Thomas should take on his whole role in the Carolina offense -- the same role that saw him flourish down the stretch last year while Olsen was out.
WEEK 14 DFS LINEUPS:
DK Cash | DK GPP | FD Cash | FD GPP | Y! Cash | Y! GPP
Austin Hooper injury update
Hooper (MCL) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday for the Falcons, his first official practice action since being injured in Week 10. Atlanta takes on Carolina at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Hooper's return would make him a Week 14 fantasy starter - his backups weren't really in play, anyway. The later-week practices should provide confirmation that Hooper is hopefully good to go.
WEEK 14 PPR RANKINGS: Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end
Evan Engram injury news
Engram (foot) told reporters Wednesday he expects to play on Monday night against the Eagles. On Thursday's New York injury report, Engram was listed as a limited participant in practice.
Engram's return makes him a fantasy starter and crushes any streaming appeal that his backup, Kaden Smith, might've had. If you own Engram and things are still iffy heading into the weekend, Smith is a fine stash in case Engram is a surprise scratch.
MORE WEEK 14:
Waiver pickups | FAAB planning | Stock watch | Snap counts | Fantasy playoff SOS
Gerald Everett injury status
Everett (knee) missed Wednesday's practice after his Week 13 absence allowed Tyler Higbee to shine against the Cardinals. The Rams don't play until Sunday night in Week 14, and Everett's playing time was already trending downward in the weeks before his absence.
Higbee is probably the preferred tight end here regardless of Everett's active/inactive status, but expecting a repeat of Higbee's 100-yard game against the Cardinals would be foolish. He's in another favorable spot against the Seahawks, so he's still worth starting, but temper your expectations.
MORE WEEK 14 DFS: Stacks | Values | Lineup Builder
When will David Njoku be activated from IR?
This situation is getting bizarre, as Njoku has told reporters he's ready to play but the Browns are still not activating him. They have until the middle of next week to utilize his return from IR function based on when he had returned to practice. Cleveland plays Cincinnati in Week 14 before the Cardinals in Week 15.
#Browns Freddie Kitchens on waiting to activate TE David Njoku from IR: Just want to make sure he's ready to go. At that position, there's no half-stepping it. He has to be ready to go in the game.
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) December 4, 2019
At this point, Njoku is mostly still in play because of that dream Arizona matchup in Week 15, and a return this week would have him on the border of being a fantasy starter simply due to his talent. Demetrius Harris and Ricky Seals-Jones would compete for Cleveland TE snaps with Njoku out.