Fantasy Football Injury Reports for Tight Ends - Updates for Travis Kelce, Darren Walker, Cole Kmet, Greg Duclich, more

There are a few must-start tight ends and several mid-level streamers dealing with injuries heading into Week 6. The tight end position is difficult to navigate in fantasy football already, so injuries can shake things up dramatically. Our fantasy football injury reports for tight ends as of Thursday, October 12 will give you the latest news on the statuses of Travis Kelce, Darren Walker, Cole Kmet, Greg Duclich, and more.

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 begun, fantasy managers should stay locked into the latest injury headlines.

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Travis Kelce Injury Update

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (ankle) is expected to play on Thursday Night Football against the Denver Broncos in Week 6. The 34-year-old tight end sprained his ankle in the Chiefs' Week 5 win over the Minnesota Vikings and was listed as questionable for TNF, despite getting in a pair of limited practices on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

He may not be 100% playing on such short rest this week but he's still a locked-in TE1 against a porous Denver Broncos defense. Fantasy managers should still keep tabs on Kelce's status up until kickoff on Thursday but all signs point to him suiting up.

Darren Waller Injury Update

New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (groin) said that not practicing on Wednesday was part of the "rest protocol" for his groin injury, and he expects that the day off will allow him to practice on Thursday and play on Sunday night in Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills. Waller is being deemed day-to-day after his best game of the season in the Week 5 loss to the Miami Dolphins in which he caught eight of 11 targets for 86 yards.

As long as the 31-year-old is able to return to practice in the next couple of days, he should have a good chance of playing on Sunday night. The Giants want to continue to keep him involved in the passing attack, but Waller faces an unfriendly matchup this week and could also be taking passes from backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor with Daniel Jones (neck) injured.

Cole Kmet Injury Update

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (hamstring) is listed on the Week 6 injury report after putting in a limited practice on Wednesday. Kmet's status is worth watching heading into Sunday's battle against the Minnesota Vikings, but as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks later this week, Kmet figures to have a good chance of playing.

The 24-year-old has been added in fantasy leagues in recent weeks after catching 12 of his 14 targets for 127 yards and three touchdowns in the last two games against the Denver Broncos and Washington Commanders. He has a great matchup against Minnesota this week, too, so as long as he's active, he'll line up as an intriguing low-end TE1 for fantasy managers.

Greg Dulcich Injury Update

Denver Broncos tight end Greg Dulcich (hamstring) was listed as questionable for the Week 6 game on Thursday night against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. Dulcich returned to practice on a limited basis on Tuesday for the first time since being placed on Injured Reserve before the Week 2 game. He was upgraded to a full practice on Wednesday, but the Broncos must officially activate him from Injured Reserve if he's going to make his return Thursday night.

The 23-year-old is worth a waiver-wire pickup right now if you're hurting at the tight end position, but we wouldn't recommend him in a starting lineup spot if he's active on Thursday for the first time since Week 1. When he's back up to full speed, Dulcich should operate as the Broncos' primary pass-catching tight end over blocking specialist Adam Trautman.

David Njoku Injury Update

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (shoulder) did not practice on Wednesday. Njoku suffered burns on his face and arm before the Week 4 game against the Baltimore Ravens, but he played in the contest and caught six passes for 46 yards on seven targets. He may be dealing with a new injury to his right shoulder coming out of last week's bye, so his status for the Week 6 game against the San Francisco 49ers should be considered up in the air as of now.

Through four games in 2023, Njoku has 16 receptions (18 targets) for 138 yards and no touchdowns. The 27-year-old tight end won't be a particularly attractive TE1 in fantasy if he plays in a tough matchup against the Niners, especially if quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) misses a second straight game.

Juwan Johnson Injury Update

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (calf) remained a non-participant in practice on Wednesday. Johnson last played in Week 3 and appears to be in danger of missing his third straight game this weekend against the Houston Texans unless he's able to return to practice in the next two days. The 27-year-old remains on the waiver wire in most fantasy formats for the time being.

In three games played in 2023, he has seven catches on 12 targets for 61 yards and no touchdowns. If Johnson misses yet another game this Sunday, it will be a committee at the tight end position in New Orleans again with Foster Moreau, Jimmy Graham and Taysom Hill. Fantasy managers should look to stay away.

Jonnu Smith Injury Update

Atlanta Falcons tight end Jonnu Smith (ankle) finds himself on the Week 6 injury report with an ankle injury that kept him limited in practice on Wednesday. Smith's status is worth watching as Atlanta heads into a Week 6 tilt against the Washington Commanders at home on Sunday, but as long as he doesn't suffer a setback, he should be good to go.

Believe it or not, the 28-year-old has put up better numbers than fellow tight end Kyle Pitts through the first five games of 2023. Smith heads into Week 6 with 21 receptions for 246 yards and no touchdowns on 27 targets. However, as long as Pitts remains healthy, Smith will be more of a touchdown-dependent TE2 for fantasy managers.

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