Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Tyler Higbee

Saturday, September 20, 2:49 AM

New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper has seen increased usage within the team's offense, but it's not enough to justify starting him in fantasy football against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3. Hooper's snap share jumped from 32 percent in Week 1 to 62 percent in Week 2, and his pass-catching volume increased, too. The 30-year-old caught all three of his targets for 38 yards last week, out-producing Hunter Henry despite playing fewer snaps than him. Hooper remains the No. 2 tight end on the depth chart behind Henry, but he's still seeing decent playing time, especially in two-tight end sets. This week, Hooper is facing a mid-range Steelers defense that has allowed the 12th-most fantasy points to tight ends. Hooper ranks as RotoBaller's TE41 this week, and he can be benched in most leagues.

Thursday, October 2, 7:06 PM

Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (hip) has officially been ruled out for the Thursday night divisional matchup in Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers, according to Adam Grosbard of the Los Angeles Daily News. Higbee was listed as doubtful coming into Thursday's game after missing practice on Tuesday and Wednesday. His next chance to return on game day will come in Week 6 on the road against the Baltimore Ravens. With Higbee out against San Francisco, the Rams could go with a committee approach at tight end with Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen, and rookie Terrance Ferguson. Fantasy managers who have been streaming TEs this year should probably look elsewhere in Week 5. Higbee hasn't been much of a streamer himself through four weeks, catching only six of 11 targets for 62 yards, with receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams getting the bulk of all the targets.