The injuries seem to just keep rolling in for fantasy football managers to deal with as the 2023 NFL season moves along. Players like Justin Jefferson and De’Von Achane have already been moved to IR slots in fantasy leagues, but the hits just keep on coming.
Today, news has rolled in regarding several key TEs that fantasy managers need to worry about. What’s the latest on Cole Kmet, Darren Waller, Sam LaPorta, and David Njoku?
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Latest News and Injury Updates Impacting Fantasy
Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears
There wasn’t much to worry about coming out of Week 5 for Kmet from an injury standpoint. He’s been dominant the past few weeks and is currently the TE3 in all of fantasy!
Justin Fields finds a WIDE open Cole Kmet for 6️⃣
The #Bears offense is rolling early 👀 pic.twitter.com/CyWDZMLmXa
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365)
Unfortunately, Kmet just popped up on the injury report with a hamstring injury that has left him limited in practice both Wednesday and Thursday this week.
Even if he’s less than 100 percent this week, Kmet’s still going to be a solid option for fantasy lineups due to the matchup and how this offense has been performing here recently. In a plus matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, Kmet will still remain a top-12 TE in my rankings as long as he practices again — even in a limited fashion — on Friday.
Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
Analysis last updated at 11:22am EST on Friday, October 13.
Fantasy managers aren’t going to like seeing that the No. 1 TE in fantasy football is missing practice this week, but that’s exactly what’s happening here with LaPorta in Detroit.
It appeared as though everything was all systems go for the rookie going into Week 6, but a calf injury on Thursday sidelined forced LaPorta to miss practice.
MORE: Week 6 Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Obviously, a mid-week injury isn’t encouraging — we just saw what happened with Jahmyr Gibbs last week for Detroit — so this is a situation worth monitoring. If the former University of Iowa TE can get in a limited practice on Friday, we should feel confident inserting him into our starting lineups.
However, another missed practice on Friday should force fantasy managers to start thinking about a backup plan in case he can’t suit up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Editor’s Note: LaPorta has a calf strain and took part in walk-through Friday morning. His status for Sunday is currently unknown.
Darren Waller, New York Giants
The veteran TE popped up on the injury report on Wednesday this week and missed practice on Wednesday with a groin injury, but fantasy managers at least got some positive news on Thursday that Waller returned to practice in a limited fashion.
It’s not a great sign that the now 31-year-old TE is dealing with another injury, but as long as he can practice again in a limited fashion on Friday, fantasy managers should be able to count on him for Week 6.
If he does suit up, he’ll still be viewed as a low-end TE1 in the rankings due to his opportunity and the uncertainty that comes with so many other TEs in fantasy.
David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
Njoku was able to suit up in Week 4 for the Browns just days after suffering burns to his hands and face, but he’s now missing time at practice after the team’s bye week.
MORE: Fantasy News Tracker
Unfortunately, Njoku’s injury was fairly gruesome, and it’s not surprising to see that he’s missing time because of it. With how inconsistent Njoku’s production has been up to this point of the season, it’s probably best to leave him on your fantasy football league’s waiver wire and go with another option in our PFN Consensus Rankings.
