Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Tyler Higbee

Wednesday, November 19, 2:59 AM

New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper (concussion) carved out standalone fantasy value in his role behind Hunter Henry last season, but he has failed to establish himself as a worthwhile fantasy addition during the 2025 campaign. He went from the overall TE24 in PPR leagues last year to TE45 through Week 11 this season. The 31-year-old hasn't registered more than three targets in a single game this season, which is a major step backward after he averaged 3.5 targets per game in 2024. While Henry has cemented himself as the Patriots' top tight end and is one reason for Hooper's underwhelming year, the bigger factor is likely the wide receivers' increased productivity. Players like Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, and Mack Hollins have elevated this position room higher than in years past, leaving fewer opportunities for a backup tight end like Hooper. An injury has complicated his status even more, as Hooper missed Week 11 in concussion protocol and remains up in the air for Week 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Even if he plays, he'll remain off the fantasy radar in all leagues. His only path to fantasy relevance would be a Hunter Henry injury.

Thursday, January 8, 5:19 PM

Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (ankle) was a full participant in practice on Friday and has been removed from the final injury report. Higbee will be active for Wild-Card weekend on Saturday against the Carolina Panthers after he was limited in practice on Tuesday and Wednesday. The 33-year-old missed six games due to an ankle issue that landed him on Injured Reserve, but he was able to return in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Arizona Cardinals. Higbee played 64% of the offensive snaps in his return while catching five of his six targets for 91 yards and a touchdown. It was a nice first game back, and he could see more time on the field this weekend if rookie Terrance Ferguson (hamstring) cannot play. The impending return of receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) is bad news for Higbee, though. Consider him a touchdown-dependent TE1 on Wild-Card weekend against Carolina.