Brandon

Pettigrew

Early-offseason chatter had the Lions potentially franchise tagging Pettigrew, the idea of which now looks foolish. He’s been connected to a bevy of teams but almost certainly not getting the financial offers he’s seeking. Pettigrew is 29 years old with shaky hands and no dynamic elements to his receiving game.

Pettigrew injured the shoulder while trying to make a catch in the second quarter. He went to the locker room for X-rays, and was a non-factor after returning. Pettigrew’s health should be fine, but owners can do better at the ultra-deep tight end position. Pettigrew had one catch for seven yards in Week 2.

Pettigrew missed snaps in Sunday’s win mostly because of the lopsided score. Still, it’s notable that he emerged with just one seven-yard catch in a game during which the Lions scored 48 points. Tony Scheffler’s presence caps Pettigrew’s upside and makes him an undesirable TE1.

Pettigrew is just the 28th ranked fantasy tight end through two weeks. He belongs on fantasy benches until proven otherwise. Lions inactives: QB Drew Stanton, WR Rashied Davis, OT Jason Fox, OG Jacques McClendon, DT Nick Fairley, LB Doug Hogue, CB Alphonso Smith.

Rolling coverage to Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson, the Vikings simply left the middle of the field open for dump-offs to Pettigrew. He had a team-high 13 targets compared to just one for Tony Scheffler. Pettigrew won’t be left uncovered against the Cowboys next week.

Pettigrew is in better shape this week than last, when he sat out Wednesday and Thursday. Don’t expect a repeat of last week’s 11-catch performance, as the Vikings simply left the middle of the field open for dumpoffs.

He was never in danger of missing Week 4. Pettigrew’s production has been wildly inconsistent this season. He’s a dicey, low-end TE1 option at Dallas.

Pettigrew is now averaging 5.2 catches and 55.8 yards per game with his first touchdown catch now in the books. He’s a legit low-end TE1 during the upcoming bye weeks, but as long as Calvin Johnson is alive and breathing Pettigrew is going to struggle for looks in the red zone.

Pettigrew’s six targets were second only to Calvin Johnson’s 11. He had a big first-down catch on 4th-and-5 late in the game, but the Lions’ drive stalled in large part due to a drop from Nate Burleson. With 38 receptions for 352 yards and two scores, Pettigrew carries TE1 value into Week 8 against the Broncos.

Pettigew was targeted four times as a dumpoff option, but never broke free down the seam. Tony Scheffler (3 catches, 38 yards, TD) had a bigger role as a downfield threat, though that may have been a nod to his Denver return. Pettigrew is on pace for an 82/720/4 line heading into the Week 9 bye.