We started Week 17 hoping for the return of a couple of elite tight ends, Travis Kelce and Darren Waller. As of Thursday, one of those hopes had come true.
Kelce has been cleared from the COVID-IR and now is on track to play. He's a must-start top-five tight end, even if we've seen some players struggle in their first game back.
Waller hasn't played since Week 12 due to a back and knee injury, and now he's been placed on the COVID IR himself. The new protocols make it possible he'll be removed from the list by Sunday but he's not quite the sure thing that Kelce is because a concern his snaps will be limited and because he just hasn't been as good as Kelce. Even though the Colts have been one of the worst defenses in the league against tight ends, it would be hard to start him off no practice on this kind of absence.
If you need a replacement for Waller check out the streaming options below.
Here's everything else you need to know about tight end in Week 17:
The return of Will Dissly makes me a little worried but the Lions have allowed eight different tight ends to top nine PPR Fantasy points in their last five games.
If Darren Waller is unable to return I would actually prefer Moreau to Everett. But that uncertainty is enough to prioritize Everett on the waiver wire.
Dak Prescott has been much better at home and Schultz has been good pretty much whenever his quarterback has. Bonus, the Cardinals should score enough to keep the Cowboys passing.
I still think there's an explosion coming from Pitts before the season's end. He's done everything but score touchdowns. Don't be surprised if he scores in bunches once he does.