Panthers TE Hayden Hurst parlayed 7 targets into 5 catches, 41 yards, and 1 TD in Sunday’s loss to Atlanta. A banged-up Carolina WR corps certainly helped shuffle targets to the TE. But recall that he signed a deal with $13 million in guarantees this past offseason. We look for him to continue posting low-end starter lines in the future — especially if the TE position continues to underproduce. Hurst will remain on the streaming radar for a Monday night tilt with New Orleans.

Panthers TE Hayden Hurst (concussion) is out for Sunday’s game vs. the Titans. With Hurst sidelined last week, Tommy Tremble led Carolina TEs with a 68% route rate and caught one of three targets for four yards and a score. He’d be a desperation Week 12 fantasy play.

Panthers TE Hayden Hurst (concussion) is out for Sunday's game vs. the Cowboys. That should mean a boost in playing time for TE Tommy Tremble -- but not enough to make him a recommended fantasy play in this struggling Carolina offense.

Panthers TE Hayden Hurst is in the concussion protocol and did not practice on Wednesday. He's unlikely to be cleared in time for this weekend's game vs. the Cowboys. Hurst hasn't topped three catches in a game since Week 1, so he shouldn't have been in your fantasy plans anyway. His absence is a boost to TE Tommy Tremble, but he'd be a desperation fantasy play.

Panthers TE Hayden Hurst played a season-low 51.4% of snaps in Sunday's loss to the Vikings. It was his third game of 55% or less through four weeks, marking a downturn vs. his season high 61% in Week 4. Hurst did run a route on 65% of QB Bryce Young's dropbacks, in line with his passing-game involvement the previous three games. But fellow TE Tommy Tremble played a season-high 43.1% of snaps, including a season-high route rate. TE Ian Thomas also set season highs in playing time and pass routes. Hurst remained the lead receiving option among Carolina TEs, but he's not getting used at a high enough level to start in fantasy outside of deep leagues. He's even droppable in many spots.

The Athletic's Joseph Person writes that Panthers HC Frank Reich is installing a "tight end-friendly offense that features the position prominently in the passing attack." That's particularly good news for TE Hayden Hurst, who signed a hefty three-year, $21.75 million deal with Carolina in free agency. “I love it," Hurst said of Reich's offense. "This is the opportunity that I’ve always asked for. I prepared this offseason like the ball’s gonna come my way a lot. So I’m in the best shape of my life.” TE26 in ADP, Hurst is one of the best values at the position in fantasy drafts.