Fantasy Football Injury Reports for Tight Ends: Week 17 - Updates for Juwan Johnson, Tucker Kraft, David Njoku, Cade Otton

Happy holidays, everyone. Week 17 began with two Christmas Day games, with the Chiefs and Ravens both picking up easy wins. With contests scheduled for Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, it’s a good time to check on the health of some of the tight ends around the National Football League.  

Being up-to-date on NFL injury news can give you an edge over your league mates in fantasy football. Now that the regular season has been in full swing, fantasy managers should stay locked into the latest injury headlines.

To keep close tabs on all the news across the NFL, favorite or bookmark the fantasy football player news page, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy football mobile app with push notification alerts on all the latest news.

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Juwan Johnson Injury Update

The foot injury Johnson has dealt with isn’t anything new. But with the Saints already eliminated from postseason contention, it may not make sense for him to risk further injury against the Raiders.

Johnson hasn’t had a horrible year compared to other tight ends. Still, he's not the safest fantasy option. With that in mind, if Johnson isn’t on the field, Foster Moreau, who has four touchdowns this season, has shown the ability to have productive fantasy showings every so often.

This could be true in Week 17 against a Raiders defense that has had issues against opposing tight ends throughout the 2024-25 campaign.  

Tucker Kraft Injury Update

The Packers and Vikings will go head-to-head in a pivotal matchup on Sunday. However, Green Bay is in danger of being without Kraft in Week 17.

The 24-year-old has had a fantastic season, amassing 44 grabs and seven touchdowns. Unfortunately, he has a hip injury, so his availability is far from certain.

The Packers didn't practice Wednesday but listed Christian Watson, Quay Walker, and Evan Williams as projected DNPs.

Javon Bullard, Tucker Kraft, and Luke Musgrave would have been limited.

Jaire Alexander and Corey Ballentine would have been full participants.

— Jason B. Hirschhorn (@by_JBH) December 25, 2024

If Kraft plays, he’s a must-start. But with Luke Musgrave bothered by a bum ankle, Ben Sims could find himself atop the depth chart. Sims only has four catches this year, so he’s not someone fantasy managers can depend on to fill the void in the lineup.  

David Njoku Injury Update

Njoku has missed four games this season, most recently sitting out in the Week 15 loss to the Chiefs. He returned in Week 16 for the AFC North meeting with the Bengals.

While Njoku looked good in that one, catching eight passes for 66 yards, he suffered a knee injury. As a result, the former Miami Hurricane underwent an MRI, with the results expected well ahead of Sunday’s game versus the Dolphins.

David Njoku Listed As DNP In Wednesday's Practice Participation Report https://t.co/E6uFvUOISq

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 26, 2024

Njoku is coming off his best season. While he’s not as productive this year, he has still been a reliable fantasy option, totaling 64 grabs for 505 yards and five touchdowns, making him worth starting in any fantasy format if he plays.

If Njoku isn’t out there in Week 17, Jordan Akins, who has only one touchdown this season, will presumably take over as the Browns starting tight end.  

Cade Otton Injury Update

Otton has played well this season, totaling 59 receptions for 600 yards and four touchdowns. He wasn’t available in the Sunday night loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

With his status far from a lock in Week 17 against the Panthers, the team could turn to Payne Durham once again. Durham had the best game of his career in Week 16, pulling in five of his seven targets for 29 yards.

With the Panthers allowing 10 touchdowns to opposing tight ends this season, Otton or Durham could be in store for an above-average afternoon.  

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