Who Should I Start? Noah Fant or T.J. Hockenson

Friday, September 13, 6:14 PM

Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (toe) was removed from the team's final injury report on Friday and will suit up for the Week 2 contest versus the New England Patriots. Meanwhile, tight end Pharaoh Brown (foot) has been ruled out. There wasn't much question as to whether Fant would be able to play this weekend, but he shouldn't be in many starting fantasy lineups in the second week of the 2024 season. The 26-year-old played 75 percent of the offensive snaps in the Week 1 win over his former team, the Denver Broncos, but it translated to only two catches on four targets for 11 yards receiving. Although Seattle is running a new offense this year under coordinator Ryan Grubb, not much is expected of Fant after he had career-lows in catches (32), targets (43), receiving yards (414) and touchdowns (zero) in 2023. Fant profiles as a touchdown-dependent, low-end TE2 in fantasy in Week 2.

Thursday, September 5, 1:16 PM

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that the Minnesota Vikings are loosely targeting a return around Week 7 for injured tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee), who is still recovering from a torn ACL and MCL that he suffered late last year. Hockenson has opened the 2024 season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, as expected, meaning he has to sit out at least the first four games of the season. Fantasy managers expecting Hockenson to be full-go by Week 5 should think again, though. The 27-year-old should be stashed in an IR spot in all fantasy leagues, but it's more likely we won't see him make his season debut until around the midway point, and when he does return, he could be eased back in. Until Hockenson is able to return as the Vikings' top pass-catcher, Johnny Mundt and Josh Oliver are expected to share tight-end duties in Minnesota.