Noah Fant

Fant caught 40 of 66 passes for 562 yards and three touchdowns in 2019. He lost 12 yards on three carries and lost a fumble.

Analysis: It was an uneven rookie campaign for the 2019 first-round pick as he struggled at times to track the deep ball and did not establish himself as a blocker. Still, Fant showed some serious dynamism as a catch-and-run target with a team-leading up 388 yards after catch. His 14.1 yards per catch this season ranked behind only New Orlean's Jared Cook among league tight ends. If Fant is able to be more consistent with fellow now-sophomore quarterback Drew Lock in 2020, his existing big-play ability could push him toward being an upper-echelon tight end.

Fant caught both of his targets for a total of 10 yards during Sunday's 27-17 win over Detriot.

Analysis: Both of Fant's catches came within the first 20 minutes of the game. The dinged-up rookie played a relatively low percentage of snaps, 41 of 71, and was unable to get down field with Detroit playing a lot of deep zone coverages. Fant has been reliant on the deep ball this season, 52.8% of his 373 yards over the past seven games coming on just four plays. If he's able to round back into shape in time for the season finale, he couldn't ask for a better matchup. The Raiders have surrendered more pass plays of at least 20 yards -- 68 -- and 40 yards -- 16 -- than any other team this season.

Fant (shoulder) is active for Sunday's Week 16 tilt against the Lions.

Analysis: The rookie tight end had managed to log limited practices throughout the week, and he'll now enjoy active status for a favorable matchup versus the Lions. Fant has worked well with rookie quarterback Drew Lock during the latter's first two starts, bringing in six of seven targets for 169 yards and a touchdown over that span.

Fant (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Lions, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Analysis: Fant missed some time during the Broncos' Week 15 loss at Kansas City with a right shoulder injury. Afterward, X-rays were returned negative, and coach Vic Fangio told Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic that Fant "should be fine." Fant maintained limited practices throughout the week, but with a 'questionable' tag for Sunday, his status for Week 16 won't be confirmed until 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff.

Fant (shoulder) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Though Fant's reps were capped for a second day in a row, the Broncos are optimistic he'll be ready to play when Sunday's game against the Lions rolls around. Ideally, Fant would eliminate ambiguity about his status by practicing fully Friday, a development that would likely allow him to enter the weekend without an injury designation. Fant ranks second among all qualified tight ends this season with 14.8 yards per reception, but his relatively low volume -- he's only exceeded five targets twice in 14 games -- makes him a rather boom-or-bust fantasy option.

Fant (shoulder) was limited at practice Wednesday, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Analysis: Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic previously reported that coach Vic Fangio suggested that Fant's shoulder "will be fine," but the fact that the tight end -- who was forced out of this past Sunday's game against the Chiefs for a spell -- was limited Wednesday, suggests that his status is worth monitoring in advance of this weekend's contest against the Lions.

Fant caught two of three targets for 56 yards during Sunday's 23-3 loss in Kansas City. He injured his right shoulder during the contest, but X-rays were negative and he "should be fine," Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: The Broncos were completely off-kilter on offense all during the first half when, facing fourth and short, Fant blocked the edge and then released upfield for a 43-yard reception to set up Denver's lone score of the game. Fant hasn't always been consistent, but his big-play ability has been undeniable this season. His 15.7 yards per catch ranks best among tight ends in the league. He's now nursing foot, hip and shoulder injuries, but he remains an intriguing play down the stretch as the season's final two opponents, Detroit and Oakland, rank 32 and 31st in the league, respectively, in passing plays of 20 or more yards surrendered this season.

Fant, who was forced out of Sunday's game against the Chiefs with a shoulder injury, was later able to return to the contest.

Analysis: Great news for the Broncos, with the young tight end coming off a strong effort in Week 14 and in line to be a key cog in the team's passing game down the stretch, health permitting.

Fant was forced out of Sunday's game against the Chiefs with a shoulder injury, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Analysis: Fant approached Week 15 action nursing foot and hip issues and now a shoulder injury can be added to his list of aches and pains. Prior to his exit from Sunday's game, the tight end caught his only target for 43 yards.

Fant (foot/hip) is listed as active for Sunday's road game against the Chiefs.

Analysis: Fant is out there if you need him this week and as long as he avoids any in-game setbacks, he'll be in a position to continue to make an impact in Denver's passing attack in wintry weather conditions in Week 15. The No. 20 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft is coming off a strong effort last Sunday against the Texans, in which he caught all four of his targets for 113 yards and a TD.

Fant (foot/hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Though Fant's practice reps have been restricted this week while he manages the two injuries, coach Vic Fangio said the rookie is trending in the right direction to play Sunday, per Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com. Fortunately, the Broncos kick off among the early wave of games Sunday, leaving Fant's fantasy managers with some alternatives at their disposal in the event his condition unexpectedly takes a turn for the worse leading up to game day. Fant caught all four of his targets for 113 yards and a touchdown in the Week 14 win over Houston, marking the second time this season the rookie has cleared the century mark in yardage.

Fant (foot/hip) returned to a limited practice Thursday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Previous reports suggested that coach Vic Fangio was optimistic about the tight end's outlook for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, and his return to practice bolsters that. We'll revisit Fant's status Friday to see if he's listed as questionable on the Broncos' final Week 15 injury report, or heads into the weekend minus a designation.

Fant (foot/hip) won't practice Wednesday, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Analysis: The reports adds that coach Vic Fangio is optimistic about the tight end's outlook in advance of Sunday's game against the Chiefs, but it would certainly be encouraging to those considering Fant in Week 15 lineups if he returned to the practice field in some capacity Thursday.

Coach Vic Fangio said Fant suffered a bruised foot Sunday at Houston and also is dealing with "hip irritation," Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Analysis: Before leaving Sunday's eventual win, Fant put his stamp on the game with the second 100-yard effort of his career. In the meantime, he's undergone X-rays, which were returned negative, and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Monday that the rookie tight end's foot injury is minor. With a hip issue also in tow, Fant's practice reps could be impacted once the Broncos get back on the field for Week 15 prep, starting Wednesday.

The foot injury Fant sustained in Sunday's 38-24 win over the Texans is considered minor and isn't expected to cost him any additional game action, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: The rookie tight end cleared the century mark in yardage for the second time this season in Sunday's victory, finishing with four grabs for 113 yards and a touchdown on four targets. His foot was stepped on during the contest and resulted in him getting carted off the field, but initial X-rays returned negative. No reports have surfaced suggesting Fant will require an MRI as a result of the injury, so he tentatively looks in line to maintain his usual starting role Week 15 in Kansas City. Another update on Fant's status should come when the Broncos release their first injury report of the week Wednesday.

Fant exited Sunday's 38-24 win over the Texans after his foot was stepped on, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: On the plus side, the tight end's X-Rays came up negative, which suggests that Fant has a chance to play next weekend against the Chiefs. Prior to his exit from Sunday's game, Fant caught all four of his targets for 113 yards and a TD.

Fant left Sunday's game against the Texans after suffering a foot injury, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Analysis: Prior to being carted off the field Sunday, Fant made his mark in the Broncos' strong effort against Houston, hauling in all four of his targets for 113 yards and a TD.

Fant caught one of three targets for five yards during Sunday's 23-20 win over the Chargers.

Analysis: In fellow rookie Drew Lock's first career start fans were right to be eager to see a glimpse of what the future could be fore Lock and Fant as a tandem. They'll have to keep waiting. Lock and Fant missed on a pair of big plays Sunday - first, in the first quarter, Fant did not fight back to the ball in the end zone and had a would-be touchdown knocked away. Later, he lost track of a deep shot down the field in the third quarter when Lock threw it toward the sideline. It's fair to wonder, given Lock's preseason injury and Fant's first-team status, how much the two rookies have actually worked together, so chemistry should improve as Lock's practice reps increase. Sunday offers a nice matchup against Houston's 28th-ranked pass defense.

Fant caught three of five targets for 14 yards during Sunday's 20-3 loss in Buffalo.

Analysis: Fant caught a quick 16-yard pass following a Justin Simmons interception to push the Broncos in the Bills territory. Brandon Allen sailed a pass six plays later to cough the ball back up. The Broncos weren't much of a threat for the remainder of the game. The luster of Week 9's win over the Browns has all but worn off by now and, though Fant has been targeted at least five times in four of his last five games and has made some big plays, his value is limited by the Broncos' quarterback situation. Next up is a Chargers defense that has been burned at times downfield this season.

Fant caught four of 11 targets for 60 yards during Sunday's 27-23 loss in Minnesota. He lost seven yards on two carries.

Analysis: Fant and Brandon Allen had some nice moments Sunday with a 31-yard shot downfield on the opening possession and a clutch 11-yard completion over the middle to convert a fourth down on Denver's final drive. The issues came in the red zone as Allen threw behind Fant for a red-zone interception just before half time and the two were unable to link up on either of Allen's end-zone attempts to Fant on the team's final drive. Despite the misses, Fant appears to be trending upward, even with Tim Patrick offering some more stability at WR2. The rookie is averaging 7.3 targets per game over his last four contests and, given his ability to get create mismatches, is good for downfield pass or two per week. Next up is a Bills defense that has been particularly adept this season at keeping opposing receivers in front of them.

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