The Atlanta Falcons return to practice on Monday following a few days off after Thanksgiving football, and they might be welcoming back an important weapon in their passing game. Tight end Austin Hooper is expected to return to practice on Monday, according to beat writer Vaughn McClure. Hooper ran on the side last week, per McClure, but could be getting in some limited work this week.
Hooper has been out since spraining his MCL in Week 10 against the New Orleans Saints. The injury was viewed as potentially month-long recovery, and it would appear he will end up right around that timeline, give or take a week.
Fantasy football analysis: Falcons TE Austin Hooper
Fantasy playoffs get started this weekend, so Hooper’s return timeline is slightly important. He was the best tight end in fantasy football at the time of his injury. If he’s active this weekend against Carolina, he’d be a guy you have to start, but it would also be a roll of the dice given his month-long absence. The tight end position is light enough that you probably won’t find a better option than even 75 percent of Hooper.