Hunter Henry (foot) active for Week 9 vs. Packers

Henry was playing through a foot injury in this one, but still ended up leading all Patriots tight ends in routes run (22). Prior to his injury-shortened outing in Week 8, Henry was riding a four-game streak of double-digit PPR performances, but he wasn’t able to get there this week. Hopefully, he didn’t suffer any setbacks this week and will be a viable streaming option in what could be a plus matchup next week against the Lions.

Henry only practiced once this week but still received a questionable designation on Friday. Eli Raridon would have taken his spot in the lineup, but it sounds like Henry will give it a go. He will be a high-end TE2 for his matchup with the Packers.

The Patriots are down A.J. Brown (ankle/knee) on top of their other skill-position issues, so if Henry can go, he could see a considerable amount of targets against the Packers. He didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday, however, so it seems unlikely. Eli Raridon is inline to be the top tight end option if Henry can’t play.

It’s looking like rookie Eli Raridon will operate as the Patriots’ No. 1 tight end in Week 9 against the Packers. Henry has not participated in football activities since injuring his foot early in Week 8 against the Dolphins. Raridon would warrant streaming TE1 consideration if he gets the start.

Henry could ultimately get in a limited session later in the day, but this certainly looks like a DNP. The veteran tight end injured his foot early in the Pats’ Week 8 win over the Dolphins and did not return. Rookie Eli Raridon will take his spot in the lineup if Henry is unable to play this week. Raridon is averaging an impressive 13.3 yards per catch while mixing in behind Henry this year. He would immediately be in the TE2 mix if Henry is ruled out.

This is particularly unfortunate because Henry was playing well early on, catching 3-of-3 targets for 30 yards. Drake Maye told reporters after the game that he is “worried” about his No. 1 tight end, but added that Henry was “walking around fine” with “a smile on his face” in the locker room post-game. Eli Raridon will be a streaming TE1 against the Packers next week if Henry cannot play.

Henry briefly returned to the sideline after halftime, where he tested out his injured left foot. Evidently, the sideline testing did not go well. Henry was then taken right back to the locker room by the Patriots’ training staff. If the Patriots do end up ruling him out, as we expect, he will finish the day having caught 3-of-3 targets for 30 yards.

Henry seemingly suffered the injury after catching a four-yard pass on the Patriots’ fourth drive. He ran a quick out route and hauled in the catch as he was sliding to the ground. A Dolphins defender touched him down, fairly forcefully. Henry’s left foot may have gotten trapped underneath him in the process. Henry removed his left cleat during a brief trip to the blue medical tent before slowly walking to the locker room for further examination.

Henry operated as the clear safety blanket for quarterback Drake Maye, the latter of whom was under constant duress in the face of unrelenting pressure from Dennis Allen’s Bears defense. The team was largely unable to move the football on the ground and fell into an early hole, leading to Josh McDaniels utilizing the short passing game as an extension of the run. That’s where Henry made his presence felt, although it was rookie tight end Eli Raridon that caught the touchdown at the position. Week 7 goes down as the first game with more than a modest five targets for the veteran tight end, who has quickly become a difficult weekly start in a more crowded New England pass offense. Fantasy managers might want to consider alternatives when the Patriots face the downtrodden Dolphins in Week 8.

It’s a fairly standard Henry box score, though the 48 yards were actually his second most of the season. The touchdown was his second, as well as second in as many weeks. Henry took advantage of a Jets communication breakdown near the goal line. By now we know Henry is a perfectly fine option if you find yourself in a streamer or second FLEX pinch, but he is not making a move on TE1 status heading into Week 7 against the Bears.