Tight end non-PPR rankings for Week 15 fantasy football

Friday injury report

There isn’t much news injury news at the TE position that will have a significant impact for fantasy managers heading into Week 15, luckily. Kyle Rudolph is officially out for the Vikings, which makes Irv Smith Jr. a viable play against the Bears. Smith posted 4/63/1 last week in Rudolph’s absence and is a solid emergency fill-in for anyone weak at tight end. The Giants, conversely, could be without any top option at tight end, as both Evan Engram and Kaden Smith are listed as questionable heading into Sunday Night Football.

Out: Jace Sternberger (concussion), Kyle Rudolph (foot)
Doubtful: N/A
Questionable: Mo Alie-Cox (knee), Evan Engram (calf), Kaden Smith (knee), Austin Hooper (neck), David Njoku (knee), Jimmy Graham (hip)

Thursday injury report

After both Mo Alie-Cox and Trey Burton logged a DNP Wednesday, Burton, at least, was upgraded to a full practice. Conversely, Jack Doyle was listed with a DNP, though not injury related.

Austin Hooper logged a limited practice after missing Week 14 with a neck injury. It’s a step in the right direction for Sunday Night Football.

Mike Gesicki practiced in a limited fashion after a brutal shoulder injury in Week 14. It seemed unlikely that he’d be available for this week’s game, but a limited practice is an upgrade from his DNP from Wednesday.

DNP: Kyle Rudolph (foot), Mo Alie-Cox (knee), Jack Doyle (not injury related)
Limited: Jimmy Graham (hip), Austin Hooper (neck), Mike Gesicki (shoulder)
Full: Noah Fant (illness), Trey Burton (knee)

Wednesday injury report

Noah Fant left Sunday’s game with a stomach illness, but it appears that things are back to normal after logging a full practice Wednesday.

Colts TEs Trey Burton and Mo Alie-Cox were both listed with a DNP tag, which is worth monitoring heading into Sunday. Philip Rivers has sent 22.4% of targets to TEs this season, so if it boils down to Jack Doyle, he could be worth a volume play for any team without the tight end position secured in the semi-finals.

Kyle Rudolph remains out of practice with a foot injury suffered to close out Week 13. Though he’s not particularly fantasy-relevant on his own, each of the Vikings' tight ends have managed to find production in the others’ absence, so it’s worth watching through the week. Another week out for Rudolph could make Irv Smith Jr. an interesting play in DFS.

Mike Gesicki logged a DNP following Sunday’s shoulder injury. It seems unlikely that he’ll suit up (and be productive) in Week 15, considering.

DNP: Jace Sternberger (concussion), Kyle Rudolph (foot), Trey Burton (knee), Mo Alie-Cox (knee), Mike Gesicki (shoulder)
Limited: N/A
Full: Noah Fant (illness), Hunter Henry

Another week, another TE1 finish for Travis Kelce. What he’s accomplished in 2020 is nothing short of incredible. He’s racked up 177 fantasy points in standard leagues — outscoring the TE2 (Darren Waller) by 55 points.

Other big-time performances this week included Irv Smith Jr, who shined in the absence of Kyle Rudolph with 63 receiving yards and a score.

Injury news

The most significant injury among TEs in Week 14 was to Mike Gesicki, who likely suffered a dislocated shoulder. This could end his season depending on severity. It’s an unfortunate blow following a monstrous performance of 5/65/2.

Jonnu Smith returned to the lineup against the Jaguars Sunday to play 62% of offensive snaps. He commanded just two targets on the day for a disappointing 20 receiving yards. It’s safe to say that Smith is hardly a viable streamer, let alone the “must start” he seemed to be in his first four games of the season.

The 49ers are hopeful that George Kittle will return to practice this week in a step toward returning to the active lineup following a foot injury. Once he resumes practicing, that opens a 21-day window for San Francisco to activate their star TE from IR.

Austin Hooper missed Week 14’s Monday Night Football contest with a neck injury. In his absence, rookie Harrison Bryant saw six targets, while former first-round pick David Njoku saw four.

Bye weeks

There are no byes in Week 15.

Streaming options

Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams

Tyler Higbee hasn’t been close to the fantasy asset many were hoping for entering the 2020 season. Despite the inconsistent target share, Higbee has played more than 70% of offensive snaps in all but two games in 2020. The Rams face the Jets in Week 15 who have led the league with 11 touchdowns through the 2020 season to put the cherry on top of the 64 receiving yards per game that allowed to tight ends.

Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team

Since Week 10, Thomas has had 233 receiving yards (seventh-most among TEs) while running the most routes among any NFL tight end in the league. He’s truly had a breakout season, assuming a role as a primary target in Washington’s offense. Even if Dwayne Haskins starts the week under center, he’ll continue to see a voluptuous target share. Between the Football Team’s matchup against the Seahawks and loss of Antonio Gibson in the run game, they’ll need to get the passing game going. Thomas will need to be a big part of that.