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TE Strength of Schedule

Tue Jun 11 11:11am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

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Bowers could have big year one


Using our rules for our money leagues, we came up with a schedule strength ranking for the tight end position. We are using our fantasy defenses report to calculate the rankings. This report can be found in all of our leagues under the "reports" heading. We took the schedule of each team and entered the average number of fantasy points allowed to tight ends last season from all of their opponents to get our fantasy points allowed number. This is a good indication of the tight ends with the most favorable schedules for fantasy scoring for the coming season. Defenses obviously change from year to year, but knowing the tight ends that might have the easiest schedule for fantasy is always a good idea when formulating your rankings and draft strategy.

  TE SOS  
1. Cincinnati Bengals 186.39
2. Miami Dolphins 193.98
3. Philadelphia Eagles 196.38
4. Washington Commanders 197.75
5. Houston Texans 198.15
6. Pittsburgh Steelers 199.18
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 199.68
8. New York Giants 201
9. Dallas Cowboys 201.18
10. Los Angeles Rams 201.38
11. Buffalo Bills 201.39
12. Chicago Bears 201.66
13. Arizona Cardinals 201.76
14. New York Jets 202.56
15. Jacksonville Jaguars 202.86
16. Baltimore Ravens 203.04
17. Denver Broncos 203.95
18. Los Angeles Chargers 204.02
19. Atlanta Falcons 204.25
20. Cleveland Browns 204.59
21. New Orleans Saints 205.62
22. Seattle Seahawks 205.73
23. San Francisco 49ers 206.80
24. Indianapolis Colts 206.89
25. Detroit Lions 207.92
26. New England Patriots 208.23
27. Kansas City Chiefs 210.92
28. Tennessee Titans 211.44
29. Green Bay Packers 212.07
30. Minnesota Vikings 212.23
31. Carolina Panthers 213.66
32. Las Vegas Raiders 213.81


A rookie led fantasy tight ends in scoring last year and the top rated rookie tight end this year gets the easiest fantasy schedule for tight end. Brock Browers and the Raiders have the most favorable schedule for tight ends. Sam LaPorta showed last year that a rookie can make an immediate fantasy impact, so don’t discount Browers to have big-time success in year one. He certainly looks the part of an elite tight end.

Another rookie with a good chance to start has the second easiest schedule for tight ends. Panthers tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders will compete with Tommy Tremble to start, but should emerge and be the top pass-catching tight end. He is looking like a good late-round gamble for fantasy teams.

The Vikings, Packers and Titans round out the top-five most favorable schedules for tight ends. T.J. Hockenson would be looking like a great pick if he wasn’t returning from a major injury. He is no sure thing to play early in the year. But once he is healthy, he could help fantasy teams in a big way once again.

Green Bay is likely to have Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft split a lot of the work at tight end, hurting both their value. They could produce some big games along the way, though, making them decent No. 2 fantasy tight ends this season. Both produced well in an expanded role last year.

Lastly, Chin Okonkwo didn’t quite have the breakout season many hoped last year, but he wasn’t bad by any means. Maybe he gets a few more chances this year and has some bigger games along the way with this favorable schedule. He is another decent tight end to grab as your backup.

The teams that top the list for toughest fantasy tight end schedules are teams that haven’t really utilized the tight end much in recent seasons. The Bengals have the toughest schedule followed bye the Dolphins. Mike Gesicki is the starter for the Bengals, but probably isn’t worth the risk with this schedule and the Bengals recent track record with tight ends.

Miami uses their tight ends to block more than anything in their offense. They have the occasional big game, but Jonnu Smith is going to be a risky weekly fantasy play. He would have looked much better landing with a different team.

There are a couple big-time fantasy tight ends that have unfavorable schedules. Dallas Goedert has the third toughest schedule. Goedert can be a little hit or miss to begin with in this offense, so this schedule gives him a little more concern. You might want to pass on him come draft day and go with another elite tight end with a better schedule and more consistency.

Dalton Schultz is the other elite tight end with a top-five unfavorable schedule. Schultz had a big first season with the Texans, becoming a favorite target of C.J. Stroud. He should get the targets this year. But he has a challenging schedule and more to compete with for targets, so his consistency might be a little off this year compared to last. 

We also wanted to look at playoff schedules for fantasy tight ends. So we crunched the numbers of all the schedules from Week 14-17, which is the fantasy playoffs for most leagues. We know you have to get to the playoffs first, but knowing the tight ends with the easiest playoff schedules doesn’t hurt by any means, especially in the big-money contests.

  TE PLAYOFF SOS  
1. Atlanta Falcons 175
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 182.37
3. Philadelphia Eagles 184.73
4. Arizona Cardinals 187.67
5. Jacksonville Jaguars 187.77
6. New England Patriots 189.83
7. Miami Dolphins 190.37
8. New Orleans Saints 191.3
9. Los Angeles Rams 192.17
10. Pittsburgh Steelers 192.43
11. Cincinnati Bengals 196.1
12. Detroit Lions 196.12
13. Houston Texans 196.2
14. Indianapolis Colts 198.97
15. Buffalo Bills 199.63
16. Kansas City Chiefs 203.03
17. New York Jets 204.13
18. Carolina Panthers 205.7
19. Baltimore Ravens 205.9
20. Green Bay Packers 207.7
21. Chicago Bears 213.73
22. New York Giants 214.27
23. Seattle Seahawks 214.72
24. Cleveland Browns 214.97
25. Dallas Cowboys 215.8
26. Las Vegas Raiders 219.4
27. Washington Commanders 220.13
28. Denver Broncos 220.8
29. Minnesota Vikings 221.72
30. Tennessee Titans 223.73
31. San Francisco 49ers 225.53
32. Los Angeles Chargers 228.53


The Titans and Vikings are the only two teams with the most favorable fantasy schedule for tight ends during the regular season and playoffs. Hockenson is the intriguing one because he might not be fully healthy until late in the season. So while he might not be a huge fantasy factor for the regular season, Hockenson might be a difference maker in the playoffs.

Okonkwo is looking like a player worth grabbing as a No. 2 fantasy tight end, especially if you have an established starter ahead of him. Okonkwo has a high fantasy ceiling for the coming year because of a schedule that could facilitate a breakout season for him.

The Chargers actually have the best fantasy playoff schedule for tight ends. Donald Parham is the likely starter and has some potential in an offense looking for playmakers in the passing game. This could be his best season to date, making him an intriguing late-round gamble.

George Kittle is the biggest name on the list for top-five favorable fantasy tight end playoff schedules. He is going to produce big and could be even better down the stretch with a schedule setup for success.

The Falcons have the most challenging playoff schedule for fantasy tight ends. This is not good news for Kyle Pitts. He is already a polarizing fantasy player, so this schedule won’t do him any favors to get in good graces with more fantasy owners. Many think he could finally turn things around this year with a new coaching staff in place, but nothing is certain with this situation. Pitts could be a boom or bust pick once again.

The Eagles are the only team on both the top five most difficult fantasy schedules for tight ends for the regular season and playoffs. Goedert is looking like a player you might want to let someone else grab come draft day. There are a lot of good, young options at tight end this year. Going with one of those guys over Goedert might be the play on draft day.

Trey McBride is a favorite for many fantasy owners this year for a breakout season. He had a huge finish to last year and is shooting up draft boards. We wouldn’t avoid him come draft day because he has the fourth toughest fantasy playoff schedule. It is a little bit of a concern, but not a huge red flag for the talented tight end. Maybe just prepare for his numbers to dip a tad during the playoffs.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 6

Player Notes
Aaron Rodgers Oct 8 6:10pm CT
Aaron Rodgers

According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the New York Jets don't plan on firing offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett after surprisingly firing head coach Robert Saleh on Tuesday. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will take over as the team's interim head coach, beginning with a divisional showdown against the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football In Week 6. Ulbrich said "everything will be assessed" regarding play-calling on the offensive side. "We're going to take a deep dive on that. We're going to look at all possibilities," Ulbrich said. Although Hackett is going to stick around with his buddy Aaron Rodgers, the Jets may pull the plug on Hackett calling plays on offense. The Jets were expecting their offense to be much better with a healthy Rodgers in 2024, but that hasn't really been the case. They are averaging only 18.6 points a game through five weeks, which is part of the reason why they are the favorites to trade for Raiders receiver Davante Adams.

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Jason Myers Oct 8 6:00pm CT
Jason Myers

Seattle Seahawks kicker Jason Myers should be another solid start in Week 6 against the San Francisco 49ers. The Seahawks should find themselves in scoring positions consistently given how often the offense has operated in opponent territory in 2024. Myers has only missed three kicks in 2024. He sits as the K17 primarily due to a two-point dud in Week 4. However, he has scored at least seven fantasy points in every other game this season. Ironically, even though the Seahawks offense has been effective, they have stalled in opponent territory several times which has given Myers great chances to kick field goals. The Seahawks should be able to put up points against a good but not great 49ers defense in Week 6. Given the Seahawks' injuries on defense, they will likely need to score to keep up. You could do a lot worse than Myers as your kicker in Week 6.

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Devin White Oct 8 6:00pm CT
Devin White

The Philadelphia Eagles released Devin White on Tuesday after he signed a one-year deal with the club in free agency in the offseason. White was inactive in each of the first four games of the season (the Eagles had a bye in Week 5). He worked with the first-team defense in training camp over the summer but lost out on the starting job to Nakobe Dean to begin the regular season and also dealt with an ankle injury that hampered him. The 26-year-old missed the team's Week 4 contest due to personal reasons. White was originally the fifth overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft out of LSU by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was a first-time Pro Bowler in 2021 but broke a streak of three straight seasons with 100-plus combined tackles in 2023, when he had 83 tackles (49 solo), 2.5 sacks, a career-high two interceptions and six pass breakups in 14 games with the Bucs.

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Byron Murphy II Oct 8 5:50pm CT
Byron Murphy II

The Seattle Seahawks D/ST has had trouble containing opposing teams in recent weeks as the injuries mount. The Seahawks project to be without key defensive starters Byron Murphy II and Uchenna Nwosu in Week 6 against the San Francisco 49ers. Additionally, Riq Woolen and Derick Hall appear to be in jeopardy of missing this game as well. This group came out hot to start the season. They did not allow more than 20 points in any of their first three games. However, they have allowed 29 and 42 points in each of the last two games. A lot of that can be attributed to injuries, but the Seahawks have also faced stiffer competition over the last two weeks. With a solid 49ers offense coming to town in Week 6, you should look elsewhere for your D/ST. This unit should have better days ahead, but they will need to get some of their personnel back from injury first.

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Kenneth Walker III Oct 8 5:50pm CT
Kenneth Walker III

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III enters Week 6 against the San Francisco 49ers after only recording five carries in Week 5 against the New York Giants. Although the Seahawks were in a close game, they decided to more or less abandon the run early. It is unlikely that this inexperienced coaching staff will make that mistake again. The 49ers have been middle-of-the-road against opposing running backs in fantasy in 2024. They are allowing 110.8 rushing yards per game to opposing teams. This is not the same defense that it used to be, and Walker should receive a huge workload with a chance at RB1 numbers once again. If the Seahawks defense can keep this game close, Walker should have no problem providing points to your fantasy team. Fire him up as a high-end RB2 and low-end RB1 in Week 6.

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D.K. Metcalf Oct 8 5:50pm CT
D.K. Metcalf

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (hand) will check in as a WR2 in Week 6 against the San Francisco 49ers. He is currently listed on the injury report with a hand injury but should be good to go in Week 6 as he has been nursing the injury for a couple of weeks now. Metcalf has been excellent in 2024 and currently sits as the WR11 in fantasy. The 49ers are the 10th-best defense against wide receivers in fantasy, but Metcalf's big play ability gives him major upside. The 49ers as a whole have not been the same juggernaut as they have been in recent years. They will visit Seattle with a 2-3 record. This game feels like it could be a close one. Metcalf is coming off two straight games with a lost fumble. Fantasy managers can only wonder if it has something to do with his injury. However, if he can clean up the turnovers, he should have a nice game. He has recorded 28 receptions for 421 yards in five games this season. He should be in your lineup once again in Week 6.

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Tyler Lockett Oct 8 5:50pm CT
Tyler Lockett

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett is a great bye week fill-in in Week 6. He has had a great fantasy floor in 2024, scoring at least 9.6 fantasy points in four of five games. He has also earned at least six targets in four of five games. This game should be a close one but there is no doubt that the Seahawks will need to put the ball in the air if they want to best the division-rival 49ers. With players such as Tyreek Hill, Aaron Jones, and Kyren Williams on bye, you could do a lot worse than Lockett in your flex position. Lockett has also been mysteriously lacking touchdowns this season. If that trend starts to turn around, then Lockett could become an every-week starter in fantasy. He deserves to have a place in lineups in Week 6.

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Jaxon Smith-Njigba Oct 8 5:50pm CT
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Seattle Seahawks Wide Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been wildly inconsistent in 2024. Smith Njigba has earned at least seven targets in three of five games this season. He has at least 51 yards or a touchdown in those three games. However, he has two games with three or fewer receptions and 39 or fewer yards. Smith-Njigba has been heavily involved in the Seahawks' game plans overall. His snap share has been in the high 80% and he is running a lot of routes. However, he still does not seem to have the same rapport or trust that veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett has with quarterback Geno Smith. Still, Smith Njigba continues to flash his talent and should continue to build momentum as the season progresses. The San Francisco 49ers present a moderate challenge for Smith-Njigba in Week 6. They may choose to focus more on the Seahawks' top two wide receivers in DK Metcalf and Lockett. Hopefully, Smith Njigba can have a solid day in Week 6. He enters Week 6 as the WR26 in fantasy.

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Geno Smith Oct 8 5:50pm CT
Geno Smith

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith is a solid streaming option in Week 6 when the Seahawks host the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers are 14th against opposing quarterbacks in fantasy in 2024. Smith has been very consistent in 2024 and has thrown for 1,466 yards and five touchdowns. He is coming off back-to-back games with at least 21.6 fantasy points and has a good chance to clear that number again in Week 6. With the Seahawks passing offense clicking in recent weeks, they should be able to put pressure on a 49ers defense that has not been as good as in years past. While this is not a huge bye week for fantasy-relevant quarterbacks, Metcalf could still fill in for any fantasy managers nursing injuries or underperformance at the position.

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Noah Fant Oct 8 5:50pm CT
Noah Fant

Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (toe) continues to have a poor fantasy season. It does not look like things will get better in Week 6 against the San Francisco 49ers. In Fant's defense, the tight end position has been disappointing in fantasy in 2024. However, Fant has been especially bad. He has only cleared 5.4 fantasy points in one game this season. The 49ers are No. 10 against opposing tight ends in fantasy and should have no problem shutting down Fant with their talented linebackers and safeties. Despite the state of the position this season, it is best to look elsewhere. Fant is simply a secondary player in an offense loaded with high-end talent.

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Jake Moody Oct 8 5:40pm CT
Jake Moody

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said he's not sure how long kicker Jake Moody's right high-ankle sprain will take to heal but that it would be "about a month." Moody injured his right ankle in the Week 5 loss to the division-rival Arizona Cardinals on Sunday and could be a candidate to land on Injured Reserve, which would keep him sidelined for at least four games. In the meantime, the Niners signed veteran kicker Matthew Wright to handle the kicking, and he could be a decent streaming candidate in a strong 49ers offense. Fantasy managers using Moody through the first five weeks will obviously need to pivot moving forward. It's a tough blow for fantasy managers, as Moody was the No. 2 kicker in fantasy points through the first five weeks. If Moody were to go on IR, he wouldn't be eligible to return until Week 12 against the Seattle Seahawks.

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Adam Butler Oct 8 5:40pm CT
Adam Butler

Las Vegas Raiders star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (foot) is out indefinitely after having surgery to fix a Jones fracture in his foot that he suffered in the Week 5 loss to the division-rival Denver Broncos, according to sources. It's a huge blow in the middle of the Raiders' defense after they signed him to a big-money deal in free agency in the offseason. Wilkins will head to Injured Reserve and miss at least the next four games, and likely more. The 28-year-old former 13th overall pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2019 out of Clemson had 17 tackles (11 solo), two sacks and six QB hits in his five games with the Raiders this year before getting hurt. A Raiders defense that had already been vulnerable on the ground will now be a much better matchup for opposing running backs. Expect Adam Butler and John Jenkins to see more action at D tackle with Wilkins out for the foreseeable future in Vegas.

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Talanoa Hufanga Oct 8 5:30pm CT
Talanoa Hufanga

San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga (wrist) suffered torn wrist ligaments in the Week 5 loss to the division-rival Arizona Cardinals on Sunday and is expected to miss a month, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. Hufanga obviously has been unable to practice this week ahead of the Thursday night divisional clash against the Seattle Seahawks to kick off Week 6 action. The 24-year-old will now be a candidate to land on Injured Reserve, which would require him to miss at least four games. Hufanga suffered a torn ACL in Week 11 of last year and he wasn't able to make his 2024 debut until Week 3. He also missed Week 4 due to injury and is now going to miss more time. It's a blow to what hasn't been as dominant of a 49ers defense so far this year, but they should still be considered a top-10 fantasy unit this week on the road against Seattle.

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Rashee Rice Oct 8 5:20pm CT
Rashee Rice

After having surgery to fix his right LCL on Tuesday, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (knee) is expected to be out for four months, according to multiple sources. It was a best-case scenario for Rice, who will miss the rest of the 2024 season, but the good news is he's expected to make a full recovery. In addition to his knee, Rice also had a hamstring tendon repaired on Tuesday. Barring any setbacks for the 24-year-old during his rehab, he should be ready to go for the start of the 2025 season next fall. With receiver Marquise Brown (shoulder) already out for the year and running back Isiah Pacheco (leg) on Injured Reserve, the Chiefs have lost their best playmakers outside of quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce. Fantasy managers in single-year leagues can obviously drop Rice at this time and look for a replacement.

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George Kittle Oct 8 5:20pm CT
George Kittle

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (ribs) was listed as a limited participant in practice for the second straight day this week on Tuesday. Kittle missed the Week 3 contest with a hamstring injury but returned in Week 4, only to suffer an injury to his ribs. He played through his rib injury in the Week 5 loss to the division-rival Arizona Cardinals and caught a season-high eight passes (12 targets) for 64 yards and a touchdown. Kittle will most likely be removed from the final Week 6 injury report on Wednesday and be fine to play on Thursday night against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks, where he'll be a must-start TE1 in fantasy. Despite missing Week 3 due to injury, Kittle has managed to find paydirt in each of the last three games that he's played in, going for 19 catches and 185 yards on 24 targets.

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Derek Carr Oct 8 5:10pm CT
Derek Carr

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) is expected to miss multiple games with a left-oblique injury that he suffered in the Monday night loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 5, according to sources. The Saints have two games in the next nine days, so it's likely that Carr misses Week 6 against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Thursday night game next week against the Denver Broncos in Week 7. Carr said he wasn't feeling good at all after Monday's game, prompting him to undergo an MRI exam on Tuesday. After a hot start the first two weeks, the 33-year-old has come back down to Earth in three straight losses and will now miss time. Jake Haener came in to replace Carr on Monday, but rookie Spencer Rattler will also be under consideration to start this Sunday against Tampa. Either way, fantasy managers will need to downgrade the rest of the Saints' offense.

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Spencer Rattler Oct 8 5:10pm CT
Spencer Rattler

New Orleans Saints rookie fifth-round quarterback Spencer Rattler is a strong candidate to get the start in Week 6 against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday with Derek Carr (oblique) injured, according to sources. Carr is expected to miss multiple games, and with the Saints having a quick turnaround in Week 7 on Thursday night against the Denver Broncos, it seems likely Carr will miss at least the next two games. The 24-year-old Rattler hasn't seen action in a regular-season NFL game yet behind Carr and Jake Haener. The South Carolina product has plenty of arm strength but will likely struggle with the speed of the game and with decision-making if he's thrown into the fire in a divisional matchup this weekend. Fantasy managers in single-QB leagues can ignore the Saints' QB situation with Carr injured. In superflex leagues, Rattler is worth a flier for those that own Carr.

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Drake Maye Oct 8 3:00pm CT
Drake Maye

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye will make his first career start in Week 6 at home against the Houston Texans. The Patriots had been committed to starting Jacoby Brissett. However, they decided to make a change following the team's 15-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins last week. Maye briefly played in Week 3 against the New York Jets, completing four of his eight pass attempts for 22 yards and two rushing attempts for 12 on one drive, totaling 2.1 fantasy points. Hopefully, the change at quarterback can jumpstart a struggling New England offense. Yet, fantasy players shouldn't have high expectations for Maye or the offense this week or anytime soon. The rookie quarterback is only worth adding in standard-size superflex leagues. Meanwhile, Rhamondre Stevenson is the only Patriot that fantasy players can start with confidence until the offense shows signs of consistent production.

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Rashee Rice Oct 8 2:50pm CT
Rashee Rice

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (knee) will miss the rest of the 2024 NFL season after undergoing successful surgery on Tuesday. The second-year wide receiver suffered the injury early in the Week 4 win over the Los Angeles Chargers after taking a hit to the knee from Patrick Mahomes trying to make a tackle following an interception. While the star wide receiver will miss the rest of the season, he is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for the start of next year. Rice suffered no damage to his ACL or meniscus, which many thought could have been torn last week. The Chiefs will likely add a wide receiver before the NFL trade deadline in a few weeks. However, Travis Kelce and JuJu Smith-Schuster will see more targets and fantasy value with Rice done for the year.

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Ty Chandler Oct 8 1:40pm CT
Ty Chandler

Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler is out of action this week on a bye, but after Aaron Jones (hip) suffered a hip injury in the Week 5 win over the New York Jets, Chandler could be in line to start in Week 7 against the Detroit Lions. There will be plenty of updates on Jones' status next week, but fantasy managers needing help at running back should consider stashing Chandler in case the former Green Bay Packer is sidelined for longer than expected. The team is labeling Jones as "week-to-week," so he's not a lock to return immediately. Chandler was limited to just 39 yards on 16 touches in relief of Jones on Sunday, but he would enter the game as the clear RB1 against Detroit if Jones can't go. His upside would likely be limited against a strong Detroit front, but his potential usage would put him in RB2 territory, which is valuable for fantasy managers who have D'Andre Swift or Rico Dowdle on a bye next week.

From RotoBaller