Cole Kmet, Hunter Henry, and Michael Mayer Impacting Week 16 Rankings

As we enter Week 16, fantasy managers across the country are looking at locking up a berth in their fantasy football championship. To do that, you have to be updated on injuries at every position, including tight end.

There are a few tight ends who have had big weeks recently who are dealing with some injury issues. Let’s take a look at Cole Kmet, Hunter Henry, and Michael Mayer — all three of these guys are dealing with injuries as we near the start of Week 16.

TE Injury Updates

Cole Kmet, TE, Chicago Bears

Kmet has been a solid player for the Bears this year, representing one of Justin Fields’ most reliable receiving options. On the season, he has 66 catches for 571 yards and six touchdowns.

It wasn’t a huge game for Kmet last week against the Cleveland Browns, finishing with only five catches for 23 yards. Most importantly for fantasy managers, though, Kmet was able to get in the end zone and score a touchdown. In fantasy, if your tight end is able to score a touchdown, it can be huge for your chances to win.

Kmet is dealing with a quad injury, and his status for the game against the Arizona Cardinals is questionable. He has been limited at practice this week.

While that isn’t the best news for fantasy managers, the fact he is practicing at all is positive. If he cannot go, Robert Tonyan figures to be the next guy up.

Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots

You want your players playing their best at the end of the season, and that is exactly what Henry is doing right now. Two games ago, he had three catches for 40 yards and two touchdowns against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Last week against the Kansas City Chiefs, he had seven catches for 66 yards and another touchdown.

He has finished as TE3 the last two weeks with Bailey Zappe playing the quarterback position.

MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor

Henry injured his knee against the Chiefs, and he missed practices on both Wednesday and Thursday. However, he was able to go on Friday, even if it was in a limited role. The matchup against the Denver Broncos is a huge opportunity for Henry, as the Broncos have given up the most fantasy points to tight ends. If the Patriots were a team pushing for a playoff spot, then it feels like Henry would definitely be playing.

Right now, he will be a game-time decision.

Michael Mayer, TE, Las Vegas Raiders

The injury status of Mayer right now isn’t promising if you’re a fantasy manager, as it starting to seem like he won’t be able to go against the Chiefs.

Mayer hasn’t practiced yet this week due to a toe injury — he will have only one more chance to practice this week on Saturday. If this game was on Sunday, it is feeling like there would be almost no shot of him playing. However, with the game being on Monday, there is still some time for him to come back and play.

This is a tough matchup against the Chiefs, as they rank fifth against the pass this year (182.8 yards).

Even if he can’t go, I am not sure this is a matchup you want Mayer in your lineup. The Chiefs are so good defensively, and the way to beat the Chiefs on defense is to try and run the ball.

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