The Saints on Wednesday placed TE Adam Trautman on the COVID list. If he misses Monday night's game against Miami, the Nick Vannett would be in position to lead New Orleans TEs. Juwan Johnson is also currently on the COVID list.

Saints TE Adam Trautman is expected to miss 4-6 weeks after suffering an MCL sprain in Sunday's loss to the Eagles, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. That makes the 2nd-year TE droppable in just about all redraft fantasy football leagues. We'll see whether Juwan Johnson can get back into the picture, but Nick Vannett and Garrett Griffin both played ahead of him at Philly. Vannett figures to be the next guy up.

Saints TE Adam Trautman went to the locker room on a cart during Monday night's preseason game. He had been getting checked for a foot or ankle injury in the sideline tent before riding to the locker room. We'll keep an eye on this situation. According to Pro Football Focus' Nathan Jahnke, TE Nick Vannett saw his playing time increase after Trautman's departure while TE Juwan Johnson's role appeared unchanged.

The Denver Post reports that Broncos TE Albert Okwuegbunam tore his right ACL in Sunday's loss to the Falcons. That will end the rookie's season after 15 targets over his past 4 games. Noah Fant had another ankle scare against Atlanta, which had already cost him Week 6. But Fant returned to finish out the Atlanta game. Nick Vannett will now work as the #2 behind Fant. Jake Butt landed on IR earlier this month with a hamstring injury.

The Broncos have downgraded TE Noah Fant (ankle) to out for Sunday's game against the Patriots. That leaves Nick Vannett and Jake Butt as the top TEs for what's already 1 of the league's worst offenses. Removing 1 of Denver's top playmakers also makes the New England defense an even stronger play.

Broncos HC Vic Fangio called TE Noah Fant (ankle) a "long shot" for Sunday's game against the Patriots. Fantasy owners need to be making other plans. Fant's absence would leave Denver with TEs Jake Butt, Nick Vannett and rookie Albert Okwuegbunam. None can be trusted in fantasy lineups.

Steelers TE Vance McDonald (concussion) is out for Sunday night's game against the Bills. Nick Vannett will slide in as Pittsburgh's lead TE but isn't a viable fantasy play.

Steelers TE Vance McDonald sustained a concussion in the 2nd half of Sunday's game against the Cardinals. It's his 2nd documented concussion. We'll track his progress through the protocol this week. McDonald's absence would leave Nick Vannett as Pittsburgh's top TE.

Steelers TE Vance McDonald (shoulder) remained sidelined on Thursday. It doesn't look like he'll be ready for this weekend's game against the Ravens, leaving recently acquired Nick Vannett as Pittsburgh's lead TE again.

Steelers TE Vance McDonald (shoulder) is inactive for tonight’s game against Cincinnati. Meanwhile, newly acquired TE Nick Vannett will make his Steelers debut.

Steelers TE Vance McDonald is doubtful for Monday night's game against the Bengals. He missed practice all week with a shoulder injury. Nick Vannett could be in for immediate action less than a week after Pittsburgh acquired him from the Seahawks. RB Jaylen Samuels -- who played some TE among multiple positions in college -- could also be a part of the fill-in plan.

The Seahawks have traded TE Nick Vannett to the Steelers. This would seem to hint at real concern over TE Vance McDonald's shoulder injury, although NFL Network's Ian Rapoport hears McDonald "won't have an extended absence." We'll monitor the situation, but Vannett isn't worth adding to fantasy rosters right now. The bigger impact comes in Seattle, where TE Will Dissly should see a boost in playing time. Vannett had played 39% of Seattle's offensive snaps and run a route on 42% of Russell Wilson's drop backs through 3 weeks. Corresponding numbers for Dissly: 55% and 47%. Both numbers should climb significantly going forward. Dissly has worked his way into the TE1 discussion.

Seahawks TEs Nick Vannett (back) and Ed Dickson (quad) are both set to play against the Lions on Sunday. Vannett has been operating as Seattle’s lead TE, but Dickson could take over that role. Avoid the situation in Week 8 fantasy lineups.

Seahawks TE Nick Vannett (back) is inactive for today’s game against the Raiders. With TE Will Dissly also sidelined, Seattle is down to Darrell Daniels at TE.

Seahawks TE Nick Vannett (back) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Raiders. He only got in a limited practice on Thursday. We'd look elsewhere for a Week 6 spot starter.

Seahawks TE Will Dissly tore his patellar tendon in Sunday's game against the Cardinals and is done for the year, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Dissly flashed some surprising big-play ability in his abbreviated rookie season and is worth stashing in dynasty leagues. His absence leaves Nick Vannett as Seattle's top TE.

Seahawks TE Will Dissly was knocked out of Sunday's game against the Cardinals with a knee injury. That leaves Nick Vannett as Seattle's top TE. We'll look for an update on Dissly's situation.

The Seahawks have placed TE Ed Dickson on the non-football injury list to open the season. That means he can return to practice after 6 weeks and join the active roster after 8. Dickson's continued absence lets Nick Vannett stay in the lead TE role heading into the regular season.

Seahawks TE Ed Dickson still has yet to even practice with his new team. The offseason free-agent addition has spent all of training camp and preseason on the PUP list because of a groin/quad issue. "He's tremendously behind, but he's been studying and working at it the whole time, and now we need to see it come to life," HC Pete Carroll said Tuesday, according to Pro Football Talk. Carroll said the Seahawks hope to get Dickson back for the regular-season opener. If that happens, we'll see if Dickson can push Nick Vannett aside and immediately join the starters. Neither TE is any more than a late option even in TE-heavy formats.