The Lions have reached a 1-year deal with veteran TE Josh Hill. The former Saint spent the past 5 seasons working under new Detroit HC Dan Campbell, with Campbell serving as assistant HC and TEs coach in New Orleans. Hill figures to effectively replace Jesse James with the Lions. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that James is getting released. Hill topped out at 25 receptions in 2019 among 8 years with the Saints. James caught 30 total passes across 2 seasons after joining the Lions in free agency. So don't expect any real fantasy impact here.

The Lions on Monday placed TE T.J. Hockenson on IR with the ankle injury he suffered on Thanksgiving. The rookie disappointed fantasy owners after a huge opener but remains a terrific long-term prospect. His departure from this season leaves Jesse James and Logan Thomas as Detroit's top 2 TEs. Thomas has topped 2 catches in a game just once this year. James -- a high-priced free agent addition before the team drafted Hockenson -- has finished just 1 game all season with more than 1 catch (back in Week 2).

Lions TE T.J. Hockenson suffered a right ankle injury late in Thursday's loss to the Bears. He was reportedly in a walking boot and getting around on a scooter afterwards. We'll update his status when we learn more, but this looks like a significant injury. Hockenson's absence would leave Detroit with TEs Jesse James and Logan Thomas. Neither is worth adding to fantasy rosters right now.

Lions TE T.J. Hockenson cleared the concussion protocol Sunday and is expected to play against the Packers on Monday night, the Detroit Free Press reports. Hockenson suffered his concussion back in Week 4, before the bye. But he practiced in full this week and appeared on track to play. Congratulations if you waited for the rookie for Week 6.

Former Steelers TE Jesse James has reached a deal with the Lions, according to multiple reports. The contract figures to easily position James as the lead TE in Detroit and likely give him a shot at career highs in targets and receptions. James topped out at 63 looks and 43 catches with Pittsburgh in 2017. We remain unexcited about his fantasy football outlook.

Steelers TE Vance McDonald (foot) is out for this weekend’s opener against the Browns. He practiced on Wednesday but was sidelined the past 2 days, so he might have suffered a setback. Consider McDonald week-to-week for now. TE Jesse James starts for the Steelers in a plus matchup. He’s a deep-league streamer and DFS flier.

Steelers TE Jesse James left Saturday's preseason game against the Titans with a back contusion. It doesn't sound like a serious issue, and James hasn't been a prominent fantasy factor. But he stands to gain opportunity if Vance McDonald (foot) isn't ready for the regular-season opener. We'll keep an eye on the status of both players.

Steelers TE Jesse James injured his shoulder in the 1st half of Sunday's game in Chicago. He's officially questionable to return.

Update: James returned in the 3rd quarter.

Steelers TE Vance McDonald (back) is inactive for today’s game against the Vikings. That leaves TE duties to Jesse James, who’s a sneaky DFS play.

Steelers TE Vance McDonald (back) is questionable for this weekend’s game against Vikings. He was added to the injury report on Thursday and didn’t practice on Friday. We’d bet against him playing, but McDonald shouldn’t have been in your fantasy plans anyway. McDonald’s absence would give TE Jesse James a slight boost.

The Steelers have acquired TE Vance McDonald and a 5th-round pick from the 49ers in exchange for a 4th-rounder, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The 'Niners have had McDonald on the trade block all offseason and finally found a taker. The 2013 second-round pick has flashed some over the past 2 seasons, averaging 13.3 yards per catch and scoring 7 times on 54 catches on a bad 49ers offense. He'll has a new system to learn in Pittsburgh but could certainly push TE Jesse James for playing time later this season. Keep McDonald on your waiver-wire watch list. His departure, meanwhile, opens the door for impressive rookie George Kittle to serve as San Francisco's pass-catching TE. He's another guy who could emerge as a spot-start option at some point this season.

The Steelers have released TE Ladarius Green. That they made the move now suggests that Green just wasn't making the progress the Steelers were hoping for. He missed all but 6 games last year with concussion and ankle issues. His 4 career concussions are obviously the bigger concern and have Green's career on the ropes. We'll continue to keep an eye on a guy who has difference-making potential when healthy. Jesse James, meanwhile, looks like Pittsburgh's starting TE moving forward. He's worth a look as a lower-end TE2 in best-ball drafts.

Steelers TE Ladarius Green (concussion) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Chiefs. He didn't practice all week and won't play. Jesse James will serve as Pittsburgh's lead TE but isn't a recommended fantasy option vs. Kansas City's 5th-ranked TE defense.

The Steelers listed TE Ladarius Green (concussion) as questionable for Sunday's game against the Dolphins. He didn't practice on Friday, though, and HC Mike Tomlin confirmed afterward that he hasn't passed through the concussion protocol. Jesse James will serve as Pittsburgh's lead TE but is a TD-reliant fantasy play. The biggest boost goes to WR Eli Rogers, who averaged 5.4 targets per game without Green vs. 4.0 with him.

Steelers TE Ladarius Green did not practice on Friday and remains in the concussion protocol, HC Mike Tomlin said. That sure sounds like a setback after Green was a full participant on both Wednesday and Thursday. He now looks like a long shot to play against the Dolphins on Sunday. That leaves Jesse James as Pittsburgh's lead TE and should also mean a target boost for WR Eli Rogers.

Steelers TE Ladarius Green (concussion) is out for this weekend’s game against the Browns. He returned to practice this week, giving him a shot to be back for the playoffs. Jesse James will serve as Pittsburgh’s lead TE vs. Cleveland’s league-worst TE defense. But he’ll be catching passes from QB Landry Jones.

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin admitted Tuesday that QB Ben Roethlisberger, RB Le'Veon Bell and WR Antonio Brown "probably" won't play against the Browns this weekend. If they do, it won't be for more than a series or 2 in the meaningless game. None of the 3 should be in Week 17 fantasy lineups. Landry Jones figures to start at QB with Eli Rogers, Cobi Hamilton and Jesse James as his top 3 weapons. Rogers and James are lower-end fantasy options. We'll be curious to find out whether DeAngelo Williams will get a hefty workload. He'd be a strong fantasy play against a bad Cleveland run defense. Fitzgerald Toussaint is Pittsburgh's other option at RB.

Steelers TE Ladarius Green (concussion) is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Ravens. He didn’t practice all week, so he presumably still has multiple stages of the protocol to pass through. Fantasy owners obviously can’t be banking on Green. Jesse James figures to draw the start on Christmas but is a weak fantasy play against a tough Ravens TE defense.

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin confirmed on Tuesday that QB Ben Roethlisberger (knee) is out for Sunday's game against the Patriots. He had the damaged meniscus trimmed on Monday. Pittsburgh has a well-timed Week 8 bye, and there's a chance Big Ben is ready by Week 9. QB Landry Jones gets the start this Sunday and is a massive downgrade. WR Antonio Brown and RB Le'Veon Bell should remain in fantasy lineups, but the rest of the Steelers' skill-position guys should be benched.

Steelers TE Ladarius Green told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that he believes his recovering ankle could be ready for Week 7, the 1st time he'll be eligible to play after opening the season on the PUP list. “It’s a good possibility,” Green said Monday afternoon. “We’ll see. I don’t want to jinx it, but the rehab is going good. My ankle feels good running.” We wouldn't bet on Green playing in that game -- at least not in a significant role -- given that he can't practice with the team until Monday of that week. Green, of course, missed the entire offseason, camp and preseason after signing with the Steelers. Once Pittsburgh activates him, though, coaches will have 3 weeks to get Green onto the active roster or place him on IR. We'll keep an eye on his status as the time approaches -- as well as the performance of current starting TE Jesse James.