Noah

Fant

Fant chipped in two touchdowns in a game that tied an NFL record for tight end touchdowns (six). His first was on a three-yard slant. His second was an impressive catch-and-run play via play-action from 16 yards out. Fant is not on the starting radar next week against the Falcons.

In his lone season with the Bengals, Fant posted career-lows in targets (41), receptions (34), and receiving yards (288) while playing behind Mike Gesicki. The 28-year-old tight end will now join the Saints in what will presumably be a TE2 role with Juwan Johnson still under contract through the 2027 season. Fant is a good enough athlete to create yards after the catch, but most of his plays come in the short areas of the field. He’ll make for a decent depth signing for the Saints but we wouldn’t expect a career resurgence at this point.

He managed a fumble-six — somehow his third of the season — in a game that the Browns won on a last-second field goal. Fant was heavily involved in Cincinnati’s offense while Mike Gesicki was on injured reserve, but still finished with his lowest yardage output in seven NFL seasons at 33/283/3. A surprise July release by Seattle, Fant latched on with the Bengals quickly on a one-year deal. He’ll likely find a new spot as a veteran placeholder in this same sort of role in 2026.

Fant has been a small part of the Bengals’ offense since Mike Gesicki’s return, but he will be out there for what should be a high-scoring affair. He’s not worth a DFS punt play. Inactive for the Bengals are QB Jake Brownin, WR Charlie Jones, CB Josh Newton, S PJ Jules, EDGE Joseph Ossai, TE Cam Grandy and DT Jordan Jefferson.

Fant’s potential absence could free up a couple of targets for the Bengals’ remaining tight ends, but none of them are truly fantasy-relevant. Fant himself has not yet produced 45 yards in a game this season. It is a lost season for the 28-year-old veteran.

Higgins still hasn’t cleared concussion protocol, but the questionable designation suggests he could have a chance to clear it before Sunday’s game. His status will be one to watch heading into the weekend, but if Higgins is unable to go, Mitchell Tinsley would again see an expanded role in his absence. While Higgins is questionable, TE Noah Fant (ankle), DE Joseph Ossai (ankle), and WR Charlie Jones (ankle) have all been ruled out.

It was a typical receiving line for Fant, whose six targets set a new season high. Fant’s most memorable moment, unfortunately, came in the fourth quarter when he fumbled the ball late and with the game well out of reach. The fumble was then recovered by Steelers DB James Pierre, who returned it 34 yards for the Steelers’ second defensive touchdown of the day. Fant can be left on waivers ahead of Week 12’s game against the Patriots.

Fant’s touchdown — one of four for Joe Flacco on the day — was his second over the past three games. Fant has taken on a larger role in the pass-heavy Bengals offense of late. On Sunday against the Bears, Fant ran a route on about half of Flacco’s drop backs. Fant could be a deep league option when the Bengals return from bye in Week 11 against the Steelers.

Fant hasn’t caught more than four passes during the Joe Flacco era, but he has at least three grabs in all three of Flacco’s starts. He also has 40 yards in back-to-back games. With Ja’Marr Chase dominating targets and Tee Higgins there to clean up any looks Chase doesn’t see, there isn’t much room for a third pass-catcher in this offense. Still, Fant has established a TE2 floor, albeit without much of a ceiling. He will sit at the back of the TE2 ranks for Week 9.

Hudson’s expected return bodes poorly for TE Noah Fant’s target-earning potential, though Fant should still run as the primary positional receiver. Hudson sat out in Week 7, allowing Fant to operate as a streaming TE1. Fant caught 4-of-4 targets for 44 yards and one touchdown.