Who Should I Start? Tyler Higbee or Hayden Hurst

Friday, December 20, 5:10 PM

Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (knee, illness) has been removed from the Week 16 final injury report on Friday and will make his 2024 debut in Week 16 on Sunday versus the New York Jets. Higbee practiced in full on Wednesday and Friday and was rested on Thursday while being under the weather. The 31-year-old veteran is just now playing for the first time in 2024 after tearing both his ACL and MCL in an ugly collision in the playoffs last season. It's great news for the Rams offense as they look to stamp their ticket to the playoffs in the final three weeks of the season, but fantasy managers with everything on the line in the postseason these next two weeks shouldn't be expecting Higbee to help them out. Most likely, the Rams will ease Higbee back into the fold and he'll join a TE committee in LA that already includes Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen. Consider him a shaky TE2 streamer, at best.

Thursday, December 19, 12:07 PM

The Los Angeles Chargers plan to activate tight end Hayden Hurst (hip) from Injured Reserve to play in Thursday's divisional clash against the visiting Denver Broncos, according to a source. Hurst landed on IR in late November with a hip injury, but he has practiced in full since having his 21-day practice window opened this week. It's good timing for the 31-year-old with fellow tight end Will Dissly (shoulder) already ruled out for Week 16. Hurst last played in Week 10, though, so it's fair to expect him to be on a limited snap count in his first game back on a short week. Additionally, Hurst won't be a viable starting option in fantasy in a tough matchup against the stout Broncos defense. Hurst should work alongside Stone Smartt, who will be the better TE2 streaming upside play in DFS and deeper fantasy leagues. Hurst caught only seven passes for 65 yards on 12 targets in seven games before going on IR.