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There is a top fantasy tight end and a few mid-level streamers in the injury headlines this week. The tight end position is already difficult to navigate, so injuries make start-or-sit decisions even tougher. Our fantasy football injury reports for tight ends for Week 8 as of Thursday, October 26 will give you the latest news on the statuses of T.J. Hockenson, Gerald Everett, Taysom Hill, Zach Ertz, and Dawson Knox.
Being up-to-date on NFL injury news can give you an edge over your league mates in fantasy football. Now that the regular season is in full swing, fantasy managers should stay locked into the latest injury headlines.
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T.J. Hockenson Injury Update
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (foot) did not practice on Wednesday. The Vikings didn't officially practice on Wednesday, so their injury report was just an estimation. That being said, Hockenson's foot issue will be something worth monitoring for the remainder of the week as he suffered the injury during his team's Monday night win. He initially needed to be helped off of the field, although he returned to action shortly thereafter.
If Hockenson can at least get in a limited session by Friday he would be in good shape heading into his team's divisional clash with the Green Bay Packers in Week 8. If the star tight end ultimately ends up not playing, it would be Josh Oliver operating as the team's TE1 in Week 8.
Gerald Everett Injury Update
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Gerald Everett (hip) did not practice on Wednesday. Everett got dinged up during his team's Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and was forced from the game early. His ability to return to practice either Thursday or Friday would tentatively put him on track to suit up against the Chicago Bears in Week 8.
If Everett can't go on Sunday, it would likely be Donald Parham leading the tight ends in snaps.
Taysom Hill Injury Update
New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (chest) was limited in Wednesday's practice. This is a situation worth monitoring due to the fact that Hill has been heavily involved in the Saints' offensive game plan over the last two weeks and because Juwan Johnson (calf) also returned to practice on Wednesday.
It's unlikely that Hill won't suit up on Sunday against the Colts but if Johnson, who hasn't played since Week 3, ends up playing then it could limit Hill's involvement. Fantasy managers will want to keep tabs on the Saints' practice report over the next few days.
Zach Ertz Injury Update
The Arizona Cardinals are placing three-time Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz (quadriceps) on Injured Reserve on Tuesday with a quadriceps strain that he suffered in the Week 7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, according to sources. Ertz will now miss at least four games, but the plan is for him to return this year. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues with an IR spot available can look to stash the 32-year-old veteran, but if you have other needs, don't feel compelled to hang onto him.
Ertz has 27 receptions on 43 targets for 187 yards and one touchdown through seven games in 2023. With him sidelined for at least four games, Trey McBride becomes an interesting waiver-wire pickup heading into Week 8. He's currently rostered in just 2% of Yahoo leagues.
Dawson Knox Injury Update
Buffalo Bills tight ends Dawson Knox (wrist) and Quintin Morris (ankle) will not play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football, according to head coach Sean McDermott. Knox is set to undergo wrist surgery, and his timetable to return is unknown at this point. With Knox and Morris out, rookie Dalton Kincaid will have the chance to become a featured pass-catcher in quarterback Josh Allen's offense.
The first-round rookie caught all eight of his targets for 75 yards in the Week 7 loss to the New England Patriots. The Buccaneers have surrendered the 10th-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends this season, but Kincaid will still be on the fantasy radar as a part of a high-powered offense. He should have TE1 upside to begin the Week 8 slate.
David Njoku Injury Update
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (knee) did not participate in the team's practice on Wednesday. Njoku didn't seem bothered by his knee issue in the Browns' 39-38 win over the Indianapolis Colts after logging 72-of-75 snaps.
The high snap count could be a large reason why Cleveland decided to hold the tight end out of practice to begin the week. Thursday's practice status will be a big sign for Njoku and his availability for Week 8. His season-high nine targets in Week 7 is a plus moving forward, and he will be a low-end TE1 against the Seattle Seahawks.
Luke Musgrave Injury Update
Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. The rookie tight end took some big hits in Green Bay's Week 7 game against the Denver Broncos and ended up in a walking boot following the loss. The 23-year-old needs to get limited practice over the next few days if he has any chance of playing in Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings.
Musgrave has already missed one game due to a concussion and has 189 yards on 22 catches (28 targets) for the season. Tight end Josiah Deguara would fill in for Musgrave if he can't play but he has little to no fantasy value in the Packers' Jordan Love-led offense.
Jelani Woods Injury Update
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that tight end Jelani Woods (hamstring) is "getting closer" to making his return from Injured Reserve. The 25-year-old second-year tight end has been on Injured Reserve all year, but he could be close to returning to practice and having his three-week window opened to return from IR. Woods isn't worth stashing in most fantasy leagues, as he'll return to a crowded tight end room in Indianapolis when he's healthy.
The Colts also have Kylen Granson, Drew Ogletree, Mo Alie-Cox and Will Mallory. Woods caught 25 of his 40 targets in his rookie year in 2022 for 312 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games (two starts).
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