Hurst out for Week 16

Bengals TE Hayden Hurst (calf) is out for Saturday's game vs. the Patriots. He was limited in practice all week and originally listed as questionable. So, unless he suffered a setback, Hurst seemingly has a good chance to return for Week 17. Mitchell Wilcox gets another game as Cincinnati's lead TE but would be a desperation fantasy play.

Panthers TE Hayden Hurst is recovering from sports hernia surgery, per HC Frank Reich. Hurst will sit out OTAs until further notice, but we’ll let you know when he’s back on the field. There’s a lead TE job waiting for him when he returns to 100%. The 30-year-old (in August) inked a 3-year deal with $13 million guaranteed in March.

The Panthers have agreed to a three-year deal with TE Hayden Hurst. The terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed. Hurst, a former NFL first-round pick, will be joining his fourth team since entering the league in 2018. At best, he's been a streaming TE consideration throughout his career. It's tough to say he'll have as much fantasy appeal going from a high-powered Bengals offense in 2022 to the Panthers with a rookie QB likely to be under center, though. This transition only hurts the value of Hurst even with diminished target competition. Dynasty managers are probably further ahead looking elsewhere to the 2023 rookie class or beyond if TE is a position of need. He may prove to be reasonably effective for redraft purposes if the Panthers don't add a ton of talent around him, though.

UPDATE: Hurst's contract is reportedly a three-year deal worth $21.75 million (with $13 million guaranteed).

Bengals TE Hayden Hurst (calf) isn't listed on the final injury report for Sunday's AFC Championship game vs. the Chiefs. He put in a full practice on Friday after being limited on Thursday. Hurst should be ready for his usual role this weekend.

Bengals TE Hayden Hurst was added to Thursday's injury report and limited in practice with a calf. He missed 3 games late in the regular season with a calf injury -- although it's unclear if this is related. Check back Friday afternoon for another update on Hurst's status for this weekend's AFC Championship game vs. the Chiefs. His absence would be significant.

Bengals TE Hayden Hurst (calf) put in a full week of practice and isn't listed on the final injury report for Monday night's game vs. the Bills. He'll play in that one after missing the past 3 games. Hurst has averaged 5.5 targets, 4.2 catches and 35 yards over 11 healthy games this season, ranking 8th among TEs in PPR points over that span. But the matchup against Buffalo's 2nd-ranked TE defense leaves Hurst outside our top-12 TEs for the week.