With Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith having been ruled out for Week 13, this opens the door for backup tight end Anthony Firkser to see increased snaps and targets in Smith’s first absence of 2020.
Even with Smith in the lineup this season, we’ve seen Firkser shine. In Week 6, the 25-year-old reeled in eight catches for 113 yards and one score in what was easily the best game of his young career.
The Titans tight end draws a juicy matchup for fantasy managers in Week 13, as he’ll face a Cleveland Browns defense that is ceding the second-most fantasy points per game to the position this season.
Starting Firkser does come with plenty of risk, though. As we’ve seen with Smith, quarterback Ryan Tannehill has not been throwing to his top tight end much lately.
After averaging 4.5 receptions, 6.8 targets and scoring five touchdowns over his first four games, Smith has averaged just 1.7 receptions, 3.1 targets and 16.8 receiving yards with two scores over his last seven. In Week 12, Smith wasn’t even targeted.
Of course, Smith’s lack of involvement doesn’t mean that Firkser will see the same situation, but it is a troubling trend nonetheless for fantasy managers looking to deploy a starting Titans tight end.
