Patriots' Austin Hooper: Cleared to face weak Bengals D
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Hooper (concussion) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Bengals.
Hooper practiced without limitations Thursday and Friday after a limited session Wednesday, and he has cleared the NFL's five-step concussion protocol. Hunter Henry remains New England's top pass catcher among tight ends. but Hooper could find success against a Bengals defense that has been by far the worst in the league at defending the position, allowing a league-high 80.8 receiving yards per game to tight ends, as well as 12 touchdowns to the position in 10 games.
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Patriots' Austin Hooper: Practices in full Thursday
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Hooper (concussion) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
Hooper missed Week 11 while in the concussion protocol, but he's now trending toward a return for Sunday's road matchup against the Bengals. Of course, Hooper will need to gain full clearance, including from an independent neurologist, before retaking the field. If active for Sunday's game, Hooper will handle No. 2 tight end reps behind Hunter Henry.
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Patriots' Austin Hooper: Limited in practice Wednesday
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Hooper (concussion) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
After missing the Patriots' Week 11 win over the Jets while working his way through the concussion protocol, Hooper's return to practice as a limited participant represents a tangible step in the right direction. The tight end will need to upgrade to full participation Thursday and/or Friday and receive clearance from an independent neurologist in order to play Sunday against the Bengals, however. If available Sunday, Hooper will resume working as the top backup to Hunter Henry.
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Patriots' Austin Hooper: Ruled out for Thursday
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Hooper (concussion) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Jets.
Hooper unsurprisingly didn't practice on a short week after suffering a concussion during Sunday's win at Tampa Bay. The Patriots likely will elevate Thomas Odukoya or CJ Dippre from the practice squad before Thursday night, with Hooper's absence potentially also leaving a few more snaps for FB Jack Westover or New England's WRs.
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Patriots' Austin Hooper: Sitting out Tuesday's practice
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Hooper (concussion) isn't in attendance for Tuesday's practice, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
Though the Patriots aren't expected to hold a rigorous practice Tuesday, the fact that Hooper hasn't even been seen working out off to the side suggests he's not likely to suit up Thursday against the Jets. Assuming the veteran tight end is ruled out for the Week 11 contest, the Patriots could have fullback Jack Westover serve as the main backup to starting TE Hunter Henry. New England could also elevate one of Thomas Odukoya or CJ Dippre from the practice squad.
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Patriots' Austin Hooper: Diagnosed with concussion
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Hooper (concussion) did not participate in Monday's walkthrough practice.
Hooper entered concussion protocol following the Patriots' 28-23 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday, when he did not record a catch on one target while playing 34 of 61 offensive snaps. Hooper will progress through the league's five-step concussion protocol, which makes it unlikely that he'll be cleared to play in Thursday's AFC East tilt against the Jets. Hooper and Hunter Henry are the only two tight ends on the Patriots' active roster, which makes Thomas Odukoya and C.J. Dippre the top candidates to be elevated from New England's practice squad for Week 11 if Hooper is indeed ruled out.
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Patriots' Austin Hooper: No catches in Week 10
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Hooper didn't recorded a catch (on one target) in Sunday's 28-23 win over the Buccaneers.
Hooper was on the field for 34 of a possible 61 snaps on offense Sunday, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, while fellow TE Hunter Henry logged 53 snaps and one catch for nine yards on four targets. As long as he works in a timeshare that tilts in Henry's favor, Hooper is off the fantasy lineup radar in all but the deepest of formats.
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Patriots' Austin Hooper: One catch versus Falcons
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Hooper caught his only target for 20 yards in Sunday's 24-23 win over the Falcons.
As long as the veteran tight end works in a timeshare that favors Hunter Henry, his weekly fantasy upside will be limited. Through nine contests to date, Hooper has recorded a modest 13-174-1 receiving line on 14 targets.
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Patriots' Austin Hooper: Two catches in win over Browns
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Hooper caught both of his targets for 38 yards in Sunday's 32-13 win over the Browns.
The veteran tight end, who was on the field for 57 percent of the Patriots' snaps on offense Sunday, continues to work in a timeshare with Hunter Henry (76 percent). As long as that remains the case, Hooper, who has put up a 12-154-1 receiving line on 13 targets through eight contests, will be on the fantasy radar only in deeper fantasy formats.
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Patriots' Austin Hooper: Two catches Sunday
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Hooper caught both his targets for 11 yards and a TD in Sunday's 31-13 win over the Titans.
Overall, Hooper has compiled a 10-116-1 receiving line on 11 targets through seven games, a rate of production that keeps the veteran tight end off the fantasy radar as long as Hunter Henry remains healthy.
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Patriots' Austin Hooper: One catch versus New Orleans
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Hooper, who logged 41 of 64 snaps on offense in Sunday's 25-19 win over the Saints per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, caught his only target for five yards.
With just two catches on as many targets for 29 yards over his last three games, Hooper is off the fantasy radar as long as fellow TE Hunter Henry remains in the Patriots' lineup.
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Patriots' Austin Hooper: Three catches Sunday
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Hooper was on the field for 37 of 60 snaps on offense in Sunday's 33-27 win over the Dolphins, en route to catching all three of his targets for 38 yards, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com.
Fellow TE Hunter Henry logged 51 snaps in the contest but caught just one of three targets for nine yards. Given a playing-time arrangement that favors Henry, Hooper -- who caught one pass for 10 yards in Week 1 -- profiles as a hit-or-miss fantasy option ahead of the Patriots' Week 3 game against the Steelers.
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Patriots' Austin Hooper: One catch in Week 1
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Hooper logged 23 of a possible 71 snaps on offense in Sunday's 20-13 loss to the Raiders, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Hooper kicked off his 2025 campaign by catching his only target for 10 yards. Meanwhile, fellow tight end Hunter Henry was on the field for 66 snaps and caught four of his eight targets for 66 yards. While there figures to be weeks down the road in which the Patriots use more two-TE sets, Hooper's fantasy lineup utility is limited as long as Henry remains healthy.
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Patriots' Austin Hooper: Returns to practice
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Hooper (undisclosed), who had been on the active/PUP list, returned to practice Tuesday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
Hooper caught 45 of 59 targets for 476 yards and three touchdowns over 17 regular-season games in 2024, and he should retain a fairly significant role in the Patriots passing offense while paired with fellow tight end Hunter Henry, who recorded a 66-674-2 line in 16 contests. As long as a tight end timeshare that tilts in Henry's favor remains in place, Hooper is only a fantasy factor in deeper leagues and TEP formats.
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Patriots' Austin Hooper: Opening camp on PUP list
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New England placed Hooper (undisclosed) on the active/PUP list Saturday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Hooper is among a group of four Patriots who were moved to the PUP list Saturday. Players on the list are eligible to return to practice and participate in preseason games as soon as they are medically cleared. Hooper re-signed with New England in March and, if healthy, is expected to be part of a tight-end tandem with Hunter Henry this season.
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Patriots' Austin Hooper: Staying in New England
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Hooper and the Patriots agreed on a one-year, $5 million contract with a maximum value of $7 million Sunday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Hooper will stick around New England after catching 45 of 59 targets for 476 yards and three touchdowns over 17 regular-season games in 2024. The tight end will continue to provide quarterback Drake Maye with a reliable option in the passing game while working in tandem with fellow tight end Hunter Henry.
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Patriots' Austin Hooper: Four grabs in Sunday's start
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Hooper caught four of six targets for 27 yards in Sunday's 23-16 win over the Bills.
Getting the start with Hunter Henry (foot) sidelined, Hooper finished the game tied with Antonio Gibson for second on the Patriots in receptions, as the duo functioned as security blankets for QB Joe Milton in his NFL debut. Hooper will be a free agent this offseason, but he shouldn't have much trouble getting a new deal after posting a 45-476-3 line on 59 targets over 17 games, his best production since 2019.
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Patriots' Austin Hooper: Likely to start at tight end
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Hooper is expected to start at tight end Sunday against the Bills with Hunter Henry (foot) inactive for the contest, Taylor Kyles of CLNSMedia.com reports.
Henry's absence leaves the Patriots with Hooper, Jaheim Bell and Jack Westover as their available options at tight end. The 30-year-old Hooper is by far the most experienced option of the trio, though he's on an expiring contract, and the 3-13 Patriots may not be keen on giving a starter's workload in the season finale. Hooper enters Sunday's game having produced a 41-449-3 line on 53 targets through 16 appearances.
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Patriots' Austin Hooper: Three catches in Week 17
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Hooper caught all three of his targets for 19 yards in Saturday's 40-7 loss to the Chargers.
Hooper was on the field for 24 of the Patriots' 53 snaps on offense Saturday, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, while fellow tight end Hunter Henry logged a season-low 30 snaps and didn't catch either of his targets in the contest. The duo will continue their TE time-share in next weekend's season finale at home versus a Bills team that has secured the AFC's No. 2 playoff seed.
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Patriots' Austin Hooper: Four catches versus Bills
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Hooper caught four of his five targets for 55 yards in Sunday's 24-21 loss to the Bills.
Hooper logged 50 of a possible 73 snaps on offense in the contest, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, while fellow tight end Hunter Henry was on the field for 61 snaps and caught four of his nine targets for 39 yards and a TD. Though Hooper remains in a timeshare with Henry, his steady involvement in the Patriots passing game makes him an option in deeper/TE-friendly formats.
