Austin

Hooper

Hooper saw some extra run this week with the Pats missing multiple starting receivers. He got on the board early with a two-yard score on New England’s opening drive. The Pats didn’t need him much after that. Hooper is a good backup tight end, but not someone fantasy managers need to worry about for Week 18.

Hollins played a large role for the Patriots due to his willingness and ability to block in the run game, something that isn’t likely to be made up for outside of a drastic shift to heavier rates of 12-personnel. Austin Hooper could see a significant role the rest of the way, starting in Week 17 against the Jets. That said, he isn’t likely to carry enough upside to be of use in fantasy circles.

Hooper was third on the team in targets and second on the team in both catches and receiving yards. It was clear that the Patriots saw an advantage with their tight ends against the Bengals’ safeties and linebackers and exploited it often on Sunday. Hooper can’t be relied on in fantasy leagues next week against the Giants.

Hooper should not be rostered anywhere, having earned two targets or fewer since Week 3. He may end up stealing an opportunity from TE Hunter Henry, but Hooper is mostly paid to run cardio in between blocking reps. The Patriots face the Bengals in Week 12.

Hooper will need to get in a full practice before being cleared from the league’s concussion protocol. He should be able to do so over the next two days. Hooper has stolen the occasional chunk gain from Hunter Henry this year, but he is not on the fantasy radar for Week 12.

Jennings will give it a go as the Patriots’ short-yardage back, though he is tough to trust as more than a touchdown-dependent FLEX. The Patriots declared DT Joshua Farmer, G Caedan Wallace, QB Tommy DeVito, RB Rhamondre Stevenson, LB Christian Elliss, TE Austin Hooper and WR Kayshon Boutte inactive for Week 11 against the Jets. Stevenson will miss his third straight game with a toe injury, while Boutte will miss his second straight game with a hamstring injury. Last week, rookie WR Kyle Williams scored a 72-yard touchdown by catching one of his two targets. He should be rostered where available, but he makes for a zero-floor, boom-bust FLEX starter this week.

Boutte returned to practice this week for a few limited sessions, but the turnaround to Thursday Night Football was too quick for him to get back on the field. He will eye a Week 12 return. Mack Hollins will take his place in the lineup versus the Jets. Hollins caught six passes for 106 yards in Week 10. He will be a boom/bust WR4 as Drake Maye’s primary deep threat versus a dreadful New York defense. Austin Hooper was also ruled out, freeing up a few more routes for Hollins and fellow wideout Kyle Williams.

Hooper was diagnosed with a concussion and also did not practice on Monday. The Patriots play on a short week against the Jets on Thursday, making a return to the field unlikely for Hooper in Week 11. Expect more looks for Hunter Henry as practice squad tight end C.J. Dippre may be called up to play a small role this week.

The team did not hold a practice on a short week, meaning the report was just an estimation, but it would be a long shot to expect Hooper to play on Thursday after being diagnosed with a concussion. Jack Westover could see additional run behind Hunter Henry when the Patriots take on the Jets on Thursday Night Football.

Henry took a backseat to Austin Hooper, but made sure to score for National Tight Ends Day. His volume continues to fluctuate as Maye spreads the ball around to several pass-catchers in the offense. Hooper caught 2-of-2 targets for 38 yards. Henry is a high-end TE2 option for Week 9 against the Falcons, while Hooper is best left on fantasy benches.