The tight end position might be causing sleepless nights for those in the fantasy football community. It doesn't matter who -- or where -- you drafted one, as they all caused countless issues for lineups everywhere last week. Week 2 might very well be similar.
Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, and Darren Waller were supposed to be top options this year, with Kelce and Andrews checking in as the top two. However, since drafts finished, it's been a nightmare, as Kelce and Andrews both missed Week 1. Waller, along with the rest of his team, put up a dud on Sunday night. Instead, waiver wire tight ends outperformed those that were highly drafted. Typically, drafting a tight end early allows you to set-it-and-forget-it. Not this year. Welcome to your weekly update for all things tight end problems. This is a safe space.
Below, we'll give you the latest news on these TEs and break down how their injuries could potentially affect your lineup in Week 2.
WEEK 2 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Travis Kelce injury update, Week 2 fantasy outlook
Kelce (knee) surprised many by missing Week 1's matchup against the Lions, and now we don't know whether he'll be ready for Week 2 either. He logged a limited practice on Wednesday, according to the team's injury report. Kelce also practiced on Thursday, according to KSHB 41 News' Aaron Ladd. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy told reporters on Wednesday that Kelce looked good in practice, but the final decision on his availability will come down to coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach.
Fantasy owners know the drill by now when it comes to someone like Kelce. If he's active, he's in your lineup. If he's inactive, you're tempted to keep him in the lineup anyway over other brutal options at the position. (Joking...kind of.) Kelce owners likely already have a backup on the bench after last week, but his backup, Noah Gray, is a viable option. Options outside of Kansas City include Hunter Henry, Hayden Hurst, and Jake Ferguson, who are all available in a majority of Yahoo leagues and proved to have significant target share in Week 1.
WEEK 2 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Mark Andrews injury update, Week 2 fantasy outlook
Andrews (quad) also practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday. It should be noted that he also logged limited practices last week before being a surprise inactive. Still, logging limited practices should be seen as an encouraging sign. He'll likely need to put in a full day on Friday in order to inspire confidence in his ability to play Sunday against Cincinnati.
Much like Kelce, if Andrews plays, he's in your lineup. If not, you're rehashing the draft and wondering what possessed you to take the Ravens' TE that early. Isaiah Likely didn't end up being a good replacement option last week, so fantasy players might want to look outside the Baltimore offense, where they would be greeted with many of the same possibilities that face Kelce owners.
WEEK 2 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Darren Waller injury update, Week 2 fantasy outlook
Waller (hamstring/rest) didn't practice on Wednesday for the Giants, something that is sure to be met with concern for anyone who rosters him. It's a hamstring problem that has hindered Waller before, as detailed by Pat Leonard in the New York Daily News. The hope is that he'll be able to play through the issue. If you believe Waller, he will. On Thursday he told reporters, "Nah, I'm playing," before saying the injury isn't a concern going forward.
WEEK 2 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best stacks | Best values
Just like with Kelce and Andrews, Waller is going to be in your lineup if he's active. There is no one else to challenge for targets in the Giants offense, which makes him a great bet to bounce back in Arizona. They won't have to deal with rain or a defense that rises to the level of the Cowboys. If Waller is a surprise inactive, consider the other options that we gave for Kelce and Andrews rather than Daniel Bellinger.
