Busier after injury to teammate

James caught all four of his targets for 35 yards during Sunday's 24-17 loss to Denver.

Analysis: After failing to be targeted in Week 12 -- the first time all season -- James saw his highest looks total from Ben Roethlisberger since Week 6. Three of those passes came after Vance McDonald (hip) left the game in the third quarter, although he did return. Even if the hip injury prevents McDonald from playing in Week 13, James has an unfavorable matchup against the Chargers, who allow tight ends to score just 6.4 fantasy points per game this season.

Not targeted in win

James was not targeted during Sunday's 20-16 win over the Jaguars.

Analysis: James' slide hit rock-bottom Sunday for his first catchless performance of the season. After being targeted five times in each of the Steelers' first two games, the Penn State product has been targeted more than three times just once in his past eight games as starter Vance McDonald heats up. Sunday brings a Denver defense that ranks near the middle in fantasy production allowed to this position.

Disappointing effort in blowout win

James caught his lone target for an eight-yard touchdown during Thursday's 52-21 win over Carolina.

Analysis: Considering Ben Roethlisberger completed 22 of 25 passes for 328 yard and five touchdowns, this was a disappointing night for James. Vance McDonald continues to outproduce him and that is likely to be the case when Pittsburgh faces Jacksonville in Week 11.

Racks up 53 yards in win

James caught two of three targets for 53 yards during Sunday's 23-16 win over Baltimore.

Analysis: Despite having just two receptions, James produced his highest yardage total since Week 2. He seems to rank behind Vance McDonald on the depth chart but has an attractive Week 10 slate on Thursday against a Carolina defense that allows the most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends.

Another disappointing outing on Sunday

James caught two of his three targets for nine yards during Sunday's 33-18 win over Cleveland.

Analysis: After totaling 198 receiving yards and a score in the first two games this season James has managed a meager 85 yards over the next five with no touchdowns. Fantasy owners should look elsewhere to fill their tight end lineup spot, especially in Week 9 against a Baltimore pass defense that has allowed just two touchdowns to tight ends this season, although both scores have come in the past two games.

Five catches in win

James had five receptions for 26 yards during Sunday's 28-21 win over Cincinnati.

Analysis: His seven targets were the most in a game this season and is averaging 16.1 yards per catch after averaging no better than 8.7 YPC in any of his previous seasons. Following a Week 7 bye, James will face a tough Cleveland defense that has held opposing tight ends to an average of three catches for 29 yards and no touchdowns in five out of six games this season. Keep in mind, however, that the Browns have faced several teams who don't actively seek out the position on offense.

Two catches in win

James caught both his targets for 20 yards during Sunday's 41-17 win over the Falcons.

Analysis: James has only been targeted four times over the past three weeks after seeing 10 targets in his first two games of the season. Week 6 may result in more of the same against a Bengals defense that limited him to one catch for 13 yards the last time they met.

One catch against Ravens

James caught his only target for 23 yards during Sunday's 26-14 loss to the Ravens.

Analysis: Vance McDonald has emerged as the lead tight end the past two weeks, limiting James to one target in both contests after seeing 10 in the first two games. Regardless, James has a difficult Week 5 matchup against Atlanta, which has held opposing tight ends to an average of 49 yards on five catches through four games, with just one touchdown.

One catch in win

James caught his lone target for seven yards in Monday's 30-27 win over the Buccaneers.

Analysis: Its been feast or famine for James in the early going this season, and fantasy owners who inserted him in their lineup had to be disappointed following his 5-138-1 stat line in Week 2. Further frustrating fantasy owners, they had to watch as Vance McDonald grabbed four passes for 112 yards and a touchdown. It remains to be seen how Pittsburgh intends to use these two talented tight ends moving forward, making it difficult to start either unless one emerges.

Reels in touchdown

James caught all five of his targets for 138 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 42-37 loss to Kansas City.

Analysis: With Pittsburgh down three scores early, Ben Roethlisberger scrambled around and lofted a 26-yard pass to James for the Steelers' first score of the game. James has been getting down field thus far this season. Be aware: depth charts can be misleading. James, the No. 2 tight end for the Steelers, has 198 receiving yards to Vance McDonald's 26.

Totals 60 receiving yards versus Browns

James totaled 60 yards while catching three of five targets during Sunday's 21-21 tie with the Browns.

Analysis: James got the starting nod with Vance McDonald (foot) on the sideline, finishing third on the team in receiving yardage while tying for fourth on the team in targets. He generated a long gain of 37 yards and received one target in the red zone. James has potential to produce given the current circumstances, but his role could diminish quite a bit once McDonald and Le'Veon Bell return to the mix. It remains to be seen whether either of his two aforementioned teammates are ready for next week's…read more

Starting Week 1

James will be the Steelers' starting tight end Sunday in Cleveland, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: James was in line for a larger workload Week 1 with Vance McDonald (foot) on the mend, and the latter subsequently was ruled out. As a result, James will be the tight end of choice in a Steelers offense that may be without Le'Veon Bell (contract dispute) in the season opener. Even if there are more targets up for grabs, James has surpassed 50 yard receiving just two times in 40 career games.

Not on initial injury report

James (back contusion) isn't listed on the Steelers' initial injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Browns, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Analysis: With Vance McDonald (foot) having been sidelined for more than a month and before practicing Wednesday as a limited participant, James could be headed for an every-down role to open the season. There's little question the Steelers want McDonald to be a major part of their passing game, but they've quickly learned how difficult it is for him to stay healthy. James has been one of the least efficient tight ends in the NFL since he entered the league in 2015, averaging 8.5 yards per catch and 5.7…read more

Injures back

James suffered a back contusion during Saturday's preseason game against Tennessee, ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler reports.

Analysis: James was removed in the second quarter after a high pass exposed him to a big hit, finishing the afternoon with two catches for 17 yards on six targets. With fellow tight ends Vance McDonald (foot) and Xavier Grimble (wrist) already in danger of missing the start of the season, Bucky Hodge is left as the team's only healthy player at the position. James and McDonald were expected to compete for the starting job, but the latter may have lost his chance after missing the vast majority of…read more

Logs 21-yard grab in preseason defeat

James brought in one of two targets for 21 yards in the Steelers' 51-34 preseason loss to the Packers on Thursday.

Analysis: James took advantage of the ongoing absence of Vance McDonald (foot), making his 21-yard grab on the Steelers' fourth possession to set up a four-yard touchdown reception by JuJu Smith-Schuster. Unlike McDonald -- his primary competition for the starting job -- the 24-year-old James has proven highly durable thus far in his career, playing all 16 games in each of his last two seasons. While he isn't utilized much downfield (8.5 career YPC), James 6-foot-7 stature affords him plenty of red-zone…read more

James will need to fend off competition from Vance McDonald, PennLive.com's Jacob Klinger reports.

Analysis: The Steelers traded for McDonald and his sizable contract last August, hoping to get an eventual upgrade in the passing game. It never materialized in the regular season, but McDonald finally broke out with 10 catches for 112 yards in a playoff loss to Jacksonville. McDonald owns a career mark of 13.5 yards per catch and possesses a clear advantage over James in terms of athleticism, but the former Niner has played only 58 games in five pro seasons, catching no more than 30 passes in a year.…read more

James, who caught both his targets for nine yards in Sunday's 28-24 win over the Browns, finishes up the 2017 season with 43 receptions (on 63 targets) for 372 yards and three touchdowns playing in all 16 games.

Analysis: James came out of the gate strong, scoring two touchdowns on six catches in Week 1, but only managed to score or have more receptions just once more all season. The tight end position has taken a backseat role in Pittsburgh's juggernaut offense, and James will likely still be in a timeshare with Vance McDonald, limiting the fantasy value of both next season.

James caught two passes for seven yards in Pittsburgh's 27-24 loss to New England on Sunday.

Analysis: Despite Vance McDonald (shoulder) being inactive, James was unable to get much going with his five targets, including what appeared to be a game-winning 10-yard touchdown with 28 seconds to play. Unfortunately, the play was overturned on review, with official Tony Corrente saying the ball did not "survive" the completion of the catch. Fantasy owners still alive in their playoffs should look elsewhere for a tight end in Week 16.

James could see his offensive snap share increase in Sunday's game against the Patriots with Vance McDonald (shoulder) ruled out for the contest.

Analysis: Though James is the Steelers' clear top tight end, McDonald has been mixed liberally into the game plan when he's been able to suit up this season, logging no fewer than 15 offensive snaps in any of his eight appearances. As such, McDonald's absences have afforded James a little extra playing time, especially in recent weeks. When McDonald missed Weeks 11 through 13 with an ankle injury, James averaged 66 snaps per game. McDonald returned to suit up for last week's win over the Ravens, but…read more

James caught 10-of-12 targets for 97 yards in Pittsburgh's 39-38 win over Baltimore on Sunday.

Analysis: James had the best game of his career, exceeding his previous bests in receptions (6) and yards (49), although he failed to score for a fourth straight game. With just three touchdowns this season, and just one since Week 1, it is hard to justify starting James in fantasy playoffs against a Patriot defense that had kept opposing tight ends out of the end zone for the past six games.

James caught three passes for 32 yards in Pittsburgh's 31-28 win over Green Bay Sunday night.

Analysis: After seeing eight targets in Week 11, and with Vance McDonald (ankle) inactive, fantasy owners likely had high expectations of James, but he failed to deliver, although he made the most of his four targets against the Packers. Adding to the frustration, third-string tight end Xavier Grimble vultured a one-yard touchdown catch on his only target all game. Don't expect much from James in Week 13 against a Cincinnati defense that has held opposing tight ends to under 60 yards per game and just…read more

James brought in five of eight targets for 21 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's 40-17 win over the Titans.

Analysis: The third-year tight end equaled his largest target share of the season with position mate Vance McDonald (ankle) inactive, parlaying it into his first touchdown since Week 1 in the process. James hadn't been targeted in three of the prior four contests, so Thursday's relative success could have at least partly been attributed to McDonald's status. However, the tight end position isn't an overly integral one in the 2017 version of the Steelers' offense, as Antonio Brown, Le'Veon Bell and, as of…read more

James' teammate, Vance McDonald (ankle), is inactive for Thursday night's game against the Titans.

Analysis: James' production has been spotty of late, but with McDonald out Thursday, James and Xavier Grimble could see added opportunities in the Steelers offense. James is still a Week 11 fantasy dart, but he is an option for those in deep leagues scrambling for tight end help this week due to byes and/or injuries.