When Will Hunter Henry Return? Fantasy Football Injury Update

New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry hasn't been a strong fantasy option this season. Entering Week 17, Henry ranks as the TE15 on the year while averaging 8.6 PPR fantasy points per game. 

But Henry has come onto the scene as of late, finishing as the TE4 in back-to-back games in Week 14 and Week 15. The veteran tight end missed last week's contest due to a knee issue, though.

So, when will Henry return and be back? Will he return in Week 17? Let's dive in. 

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Hunter Henry Injury Update

Henry did not play in the Patriots' 26-23 win in Week 16. The 29-year-old tight end got banged up against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15, where he totaled a season-high seven catches for 66 yards and one touchdown. In that game, he still managed to play 72% of New England's offensive snaps. 

Despite missing last week, a potential return in Week 17 could be on the horizon for Henry. 

The veteran tight end started off the week with a limited practice and continued that trend on Thursday. Henry will have one more chance to upgrade his practice status before Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills. To stay off the injury report heading into the weekend, he'll likely need to practice in full on Friday. 

Hunter Henry Fantasy Football Outlook

Before Henry missed Week 16, he was really emerging as a weapon for Bailey Zappe in the passing game. In Week 14, he caught three passes for 40 yards and two touchdowns and then delivered a strong performance in Week 15 against the Chiefs. 

But it might be hard to rely on Henry in Week 17. For starters, the Bills are great at preventing tight end fantasy points this season, as they have allowed the ninth-fewest points to that position group in 2023. That unit also held the Patriots' tight end to just two catches for 27 yards earlier in the year. 

Henry does have touchdown upside in Week 17, especially since he has caught three of them over the past two games. But he's likely more of a TE2 or a low-end TE1 in deeper formats in the fantasy football championship. 

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