Is Robert Tonyan Healthy or Injured? Should I Start Tonyan for Week 1 Fantasy Football?

Green Bay Packers tight end Robert Tonyan hasn't received much attention this offseason after playing only eight games last season. The former Indiana State tight end suffered a torn ACL in Week 8 against the Arizona Cardinals and missed the rest of the 2021 season.

Whether Tonyan would start the year on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list or injured reserve was a question fantasy players wanted to know over the past several weeks. Thankfully, he will not start the season on either list.

However, Tonyan was on the injury report all week for the Packers because of that knee injury.

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Is Robert Tonyan Injured or Playing in Week 1?

Despite being a limited participant all week in practice, Tonyan will play in the Week 1 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. While the Packers are happy to have their starting tight end for the divisional matchup, Tonyan is likely still not 100% healthy.

So, does that mean Tonyan should make it in your fantasy lineup this week?

Robert Tonyan Fantasy Football Outlook for Week 1

Last year Tonyan was the TE50 in PPR scoring, averaging 6.3 fantasy points per game. However, he was the TE26 on a points-per-game basis among tight ends with eight or more games played.

While that isn’t an ideal fantasy average, Tonyan had a career year in 2020. That year he was the TE4, averaging 11 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, Tonyan had 11 touchdowns that season, tied with Travis Kelce for the most among tight ends.

This week the Packers will likely be without their top wide receiver, Allen Lazard. The four-year veteran receiver missed practice all week with an ankle injury and is listed as doubtful for this game. With Lazard unable to play, Aaron Rodgers could lean on his veteran tight end, especially in the red zone.

Furthermore, offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich has recently talked up Tonyan.

The last time he faced the Vikings was Week 8 of the 2020 season. Tonyan caught five of his seven targets for 79 yards and scored 12.9 PPR fantasy points in that game. While starting him in his first game since suffering the torn ACL isn’t ideal, Tonyan is a solid streaming option this week.

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