Fantasy Football Injury Reports for Tight Ends - Updates for T.J. Hockenson, Darren Waller, Pat Freiermuth, Dalton Schultz, and more

Heading into Week 11 of the NFL season, there is no shortage of key fantasy football tight ends in the injury headlines. This position is already frustrating and difficult to navigate, so injuries complicate things further. Our fantasy football injury reports for tight ends for Week 11 as of Thursday, November 16 will give you the latest news on the statuses of T.J. Hockenson, Darren Waller, Pat Freiermuth, Dalton Schultz, and more.

Being up-to-date on NFL injury news can give you an edge over your league mates in fantasy football. With the fantasy football playoffs on the horizon, fantasy managers should stay locked into the latest injury headlines.

To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NFL, make sure to 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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T.J. Hockenson Injury Update

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (ribs) is still on the injury report in Week 11 and was limited in practice on Wednesday with a rib injury he suffered a few weeks ago. Hockenson hasn't missed any games, though, and had 11 catches on 15 targets for a season-high 134 yards and his fourth touchdown of the year in the Week 10 win over the New Orleans Saints in quarterback Joshua Dobbs' first start with the team.

The 26-year-old should be just fine to play on Sunday night against the Denver Broncos. He could see slightly fewer targets if receiver Justin Jefferson (hamstring) returns from Injured Reserve, but even then, Hockenson is a must-start, high-end TE1 in fantasy.

Darren Waller Injury Update

New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (hamstring) said he's working on re-strengthening his hamstring and is "still kinda in the early phases." Waller said he's fine while jogging, but hitting top speed and hard cutting is something he'll blend in over the next couple of weeks. The 31-year-old is only required to miss two more games while on Injured Reserve, but at the current rate he's healing, it seems unlikely that he'll be ready to return to the field when he's eligible to come off IR.

Fantasy managers must be patient and keep him stashed in an IR spot or on their benches for now. Daniel Bellinger, who caught two passes for 34 yards in the Week 10 blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys, will move forward as the starting tight end for the G-Men, but he's nothing more than a low-end TE2 in fantasy with rookie quarterback Tommy Devito running this offense.

Pat Freiermuth Injury Update

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (hamstring) has been designated to return from Injured Reserve, meaning the team now has 21 days to remove him from IR and add him to the active roster. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Freiermuth could be activated as soon as this week, setting him up to face the Cleveland Browns in Week 11. In Freiermuth's first four games of the season, he caught just eight passes for 53 yards and two touchdowns.

Three of those games were without Diontae Johnson in the lineup. That said, he has a low floor this season until proven otherwise. The Steelers have one of the worst offenses in the NFL, while the Cleveland defense is one of the best units in the NFL. UPDATE: Freirmuth was limited in Wednesday's practice.

Dalton Schultz Injury Update

Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (hamstring) is on the Week 11 injury report after being listed as limited in Wednesday's practice. Schultz didn't appear to be limited during the Week 10 upset win over the Cincinnati Bengals. His injury doesn't appear to be serious, but it's something to keep an eye on as he prepares for a Week 11 clash against the Arizona Cardinals. The 27-year-old has been a boom/bust low-end TE1 for fantasy managers this year.

He's been peaking in recent weeks, though, with 14 receptions for 201 yards and a touchdown on 17 targets in the last two games. With rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud looking like a seasoned veteran, Schultz has reaped the benefits and is a weekly TE1 consideration for the upside.

Gerald Everett, Donald Parham Jr. Injury Update

Los Angeles Chargers tight ends Gerald Everett (back) and Donald Parham Jr. (hip) were both listed as non-participants in Wednesday's practice. Everett is being considered day-to-day after injuring his back in the Week 10 loss to the Detroit Lions. Parham's injury is a little less clear, but fantasy managers should also consider him day-to-day heading into a Week 11 clash against the Green Bay Packers.

The Bolts could be down to Stone Smartt and Nick Vannett at the position if both Everett and Parham aren't cleared to play this weekend. Everett and Parham are the TE28 and TE30, respectively, in half-PPR points through 10 weeks. Parham has four touchdowns compared to Everett's two.

Hayden Hurst Injury Update

Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst (concussion) is in the NFL's concussion protocol and therefore did not practice on Wednesday. The fact that Hurst sustained the concussion in a Week 10 loss to the Bears would make him a long shot to suit up in Week 11 against the Cowboys. The Panthers played the Bears on a Thursday but even with the extra few days of rest, it's rare for a player to play the week following a concussion.

Tommy Tremble would benefit the most if Hurst were to sit out in Week 11 but Ian Thomas (calf) has also been designated to return from IR. Either way, the Panthers have one of the worst offenses in the league, and whichever tight ends up playing on Sunday has little to no fantasy value.

Durham Smythe Injury Update

Miami Dolphins tight end Durham Smythe (ankle) was unable to practice on Wednesday. It's a bad sign, especially with the Dolphins coming off their bye week. Smythe is going to need to get back on the practice field in the next two days in order to have a chance at playing against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 11. Even if the 28-year-old returns to practice later this week and suits up on Sunday, fantasy managers in most leagues can continue ignoring him.

Despite the Dolphins' high-scoring offense, Smythe has mustered just 17 receptions for 168 yards and no touchdowns on 22 targets in nine games in 2023. If Smythe doesn't play in Week 11, Tyler Kroft and rookie Julian Hill would split tight-end duties.

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