Tight end is a constant struggle for a lot of fantasy football owners, and when injuries strike, it can really become a headache. Heading into Week 1, several key TEs, including George Kittle, Zach Ertz, and Logan Thomas, are dealing with health issues, causing frantic owners to search for the latest updates and scour the waiver wire for potential fill-ins.
Below, we'll give you the latest news on these tight ends and break down how their injuries could potentially affect their fantasy outlooks and the outlooks of others in Week 1. For the latest on banged-up RBs JK Dobbins, Chase Edmonds, and more, click here; for news on ailing WRs Chris Godwin, Allen Lazard, Diontae Johnson, Jaylen Waddle, and more, click here.
WEEK 1 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
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George Kittle injury update, Week 1 fantasy outlookf
UPDATE: Pro Football Network reporter Aaron Wilson said Thursday Kittle is unlikely to play in Week 1 against the Bears.
UPDATE 2: Kittle missed practice again on Friday and should be considered unlikely to play against Chicago. He's listed as officially "questionable."
Kittle injured his groin in practice on Monday and hasn't returned to the practice field since. At this point, he looks truly "questionable" for Sunday's game against Chicago.
Kittle is a must-start whenever he's active, so any missed time would be a huge blow to his owners. If he's out, Tyler Kroft and Ross Dwelley would split TE snaps for the 49ers, but neither can be trusted in fantasy leagues. Fortunately, because San Francisco-Chicago is an early game, fantasy owners will have their pick of waiver wire fill-ins like Mike Gesicki, Evan Engram, Noah Fant, Mo Alie-Cox, Cameron Brate, and Brevin Jordan, all of which should have some legit upside this weekend.
WEEK 1 FANTASY PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kicker
Zach Ertz injury update, Week 1 fantasy outlook
Ertz (calf) practiced on Wednesday but was not seen at practice on Thursday. This could just be a veteran's day off and mean the Cardinals are managing his reps ahead of Sunday's game against the Chiefs, so it's not necessarily a bad thing.
It feels like Ertz is trending toward playing, and as long as he's out there, he's a solid option, especially while DeAndre Hopkins (suspension) is out. If Ertz is inactive, Trey McBride and Maxx Williams will split TE reps for Arizona, but neither can be trusted in fantasy leagues. Be ready with a TE from the late/prime-time games (Fant, Brate, Robert Tonyan) you can sub in.
WEEK 1 STANDARD FANTASY RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kicker
Logan Thomas injury update, Week 1 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: Thomas is officially "questionable" for Week 1 after getting in another limited practice on Friday.
Thomas (knee) started the week with a limited practice session on Wednesday and continued that trend on Thursday, which is encouraging as he tries to get ready for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.
WEEK 1 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel | Yahoo
Thomas is generally a reliable producer when he's on the field, but an ACL tear derailed him last year. He should see steady targets from Carson Wentz, making him a viable TE1 candidate most weeks, but until we actually see him look healthy and put up numbers, keep him on your bench (or the waiver wire).
