Eli Raridon questionable for Week 4

The Patriots’ rookie tight end has a chance to play this week. He is not yet involved enough to warrant TE1 treatment though.

Raridon is tentatively on track to play in Week 4 against the Bills, though he cannot be started as anything more than a touchdown-dependent TE2. His return could squeeze TE Hunter Henry’s access to targets though.

Raridon’s absence should provide a small bump for Hunter Henry, who has run a route on 63 percent of the Patriots’ drop backs and seen a target on 16 percent of those routes through Week 2. Raridon had been running around 20 percent of the team’s routes. Henry profiles as a deep league option for Week 3 against Jacksonville’s pass-funnel defense.

The second-string tight end’s absence may open up more opportunities for New England slot wideout Pop Douglas. The Patriots also ruled out Dre’Mont Jones (shoulder) for Week 3.

Raridon worked off to the side yesterday and ended up being listed as a limited participant. He is not seen with the team again today, so either a light, limited session or a total absence is possible. Either way, Raridon remains firmly in the questionable column, though a second limited session would theoretically put him on track to play in Week 3 against the Jaguars.

This is a bit confusing because Raridon suited up for practice. He did not participate on the main field, though, so Reiss thinks he will be listed as a DNP. A limited listing is possible, but we default to the ESPN reporter here. Raridon does not need to be stashed in 12-team leagues, but remains a viable stash in deep leagues.

Raridon saw 11 snaps before exiting due to a thigh injury in the first half. He caught his lone target for 30 yards, fighting through pass interference for the grab. Raridon did not re-enter the game after leaving; fantasy managers should stay tuned to the injury report next week to see how major the issue is. If healthy, Raridon is worth rostering only in the deepest of leagues for redraft formats.

Raridon caught the first touchdown of the 2026 season on a goal line toss from Drake Maye. The Pats showed a lot of 12-personnel looks early in the game, but that faded in the second half, especially once A.J. Brown left the game with an ankle injury. Raridon isn’t on the fantasy radar yet, but his minor role could prove costly for Hunter Henry, who was held to three targets today.

Daniels adds that third-round rookie TE Eli Raridon “looks the part,” but he believes Henry is “by far the team’s best tight end and once again will be a security blanket” for QB Drake Maye. Henry posted a 6/768/7 receiving line in 2025 and a 66/674/ receiving line in 2024. A similar stat line this year would be unsurprising.

The report comes from team reporter Evan Lazar and is great to hear. Henry, 31, is entering the final year of his contract. The front office spent a third-round pick on Raridon, ostensibly hoping he would convince them that he can be the TE1 after this season. In many instances, that means late-season utilization. The fact that he is already competing for the TE2 role, and doing so impressively, can only be viewed as a positive. Per Lazar, Raridon “caught the eye on multiple occasions working in the passing game.” He showcased the requisite speed to get behind the second level, and his “ability to catch the ball in traffic” stands out. Raridon can be treated as a best ball TE3 at this time.