Fantasy football owners can't afford to lose any stars at a thin position like tight end. That's why we're holding our collective breath when someone like the Chiefs' Travis Kelce limps off the practice field.
Here are fantasy news updates for the key tight ends who could (or will definitely) miss time to start the season, their replacements, and when fantasy owners can expect them to return.
MORE: Updated TE rankings | TE sleepers | Fantasy football cheat sheet
Travis Kelce's fantasy football outlook
Travis Kelce missed practice Tuesday with what the Chiefs are calling a "slightly sprained ankle." This may throw a little cold water on Kelce's fantasy breakout appeal, but owners are still probably going to be bullish on him unless he's expected to miss time (he's not). For what it's worth, we preferred Greg Olsen and one other tight end to Kelce in fantasy drafts anyway.
How long is Julius Thomas out?
Julius Thomas will undergo surgery Wednesday to repair a finger tendon in his broken hand, and the expectation is that he could return by Week 4. We were already down on Thomas after the move to Jacksonville; now we're almost abandoning the JT Bandwagon entirely. If you still want to gamble on Thomas, though, there are plenty of cheap fantasy sleepers late in drafts or even on the waiver wire to replace him early in the season.
Antonio Gates' suspension
As you know, the NFL has suspended Gates four games for violating the league's PED policy. If you had your heart set on drafting Gates, the good news is that he and his talented replacement, Ladarius Green, are both very cheap in fantasy football drafts. As long as you don't mind rostering both, that could be a cheap TE solution. If Green breaks out early, good for you; if not, Gates will assume his usual role in Week 5.
Zach Ertz's injury update
Ertz is still recovering from core muscle surgery on Aug. 14, but all along the Eagles have maintained that he will be ready for Week 1. For what it's worth, even Dr. William Meyers, who performed the surgery, told Eagles coach Chip Kelly that he thinks Ertz will be ready for the opener. Either way, Ertz's fantasy outlook has dimmed, making him a worthy flier if you haven't taken many other risks.
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