Friday UPDATE: Engram is out for Week 1, while Kyle Rudolph and Kaden Smith are off the injury report, per the NY Post’s Paul Schwartz. Rudolph should get the start at tight end and have some fantasy appeal in deeper leagues.
Thursday Update:
#Giants TE Evan Engram (calf) did not practice today, another sign that he’s trending toward not playing on Sunday.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 9, 2021
The New York Giants tight ends aren’t at full strength as we enter Week 1 of the NFL season. Starter Evan Engram was unable to practice due to a calf injury, per the injury report, while Kaden Smith and Kyle Rudolph were able to get in limited practices.
Engram injured his calf in the team’s last preseason game and initial word hasn’t been good in regard to his Week 1 availability. If he can’t go, the job will fall to Rudolph and Smith, depending on their health. Rudolph is just recently off the PUP list after offseason foot surgery, while Smith’s knee injury appears to be new.
This is a situation to monitor this week for fantasy football. If only one tight end from this group can go on game day, he will likely have some fantasy value. If two can suit up, they could hurt each other’s usage and in turn their fantasy points.