Jeff

King

King is a former fifth-round pick who spent eight years in the league as a tight end with the Panthers and Cardinals. He retired from playing after the 2013 season and joined the Bears in 2015 as a scouting intern before working his way up to pro scout in 2016 and eventually to director of pro scouting in 2021. He made the leap to co-director of player personnel in 2022 and has remained in the role ever since. King has had a significant role in the free agency market as well as the draft since being placed in his current role and is a rising name amongst teams looking for potential general managers.

With Todd Heap out and the Cardinals trailing by three-plus scores for virtually the entire game, King got involved. Normally, he’ll just be a blocker.

King is one of three possible tight ends who could see playing time if Heap is unable to dress, including Rob Housler and Jim Dray but none are recommended fantasy options. The Steelers are allowing an average of seven points per game to opposing tight ends.

Housler recently passed Jeff King for second-string duties and shows flashes of upside as a pass catcher. The Florida Atlantic product has looked serviceable with five receptions for 53 yards in the last two games, and was targeted eight times by Kevin Kolb in Week 7. Continue to monitor Heap’s status, but Housler is nothing more than a TE2 flier until proven otherwise.

Backup Rob Housler (groin) was also out, and even if both of them miss next week’s game King isn’t on the fantasy radar.

No other details are known, but it would appear King is dealing with a fairly significant injury. King saw heavy snaps while Todd Heap battled a hamstring injury last season, notching 27 catches for 271 yards. King will compete with 2011 third-rounder Rob Housler to be Heap’s backup if healthy.

TEs coach Freddie Kitchens suggested the Cardinals will utilize more two-tight end sets this season. King will be the blocking specialist used in tandem with Todd Heap and breakout candidate Rob Housler, who “needs to play,” according to Kitchens.

This is the third red flag since Wells’ January surgery was initially described as “just a scope.” Beanie went on to admit the procedure was “a little more complicated” than simply repairing his damaged meniscus. He then sat out all offseason practices. Rotoworld had already dropped Wells from 15th to 20th among fantasy backs entering camp. The Sideline View’s Adam Caplan believes Ryan Williams (knee) has avoided the camp PUP list.

The injury did require surgery, though coach Ken Whisenhunt expects King to be ready for training camp. Whether or not he’s back to 100 percent by August remains to be seen.

King slides back in as the Cardinals’ blocking tight end. Todd Heap and intriguing prospect Rob Housler will handle pass-catching duties at the position.