Headed to injured reserve

Heuerman (ribs/lung) was placed on injured reserve by the Broncos on Tuesday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Heuerman was diagnosed with three broken ribs and a bruised lung Monday, so this news comes as no surprise. In 11 games this season, Heuerman showed big moments in the passing game and caught 31 of 48 targets for 281 yards and two touchdowns. With the Ohio State product headed to IR, Matt LaCosse, Brian Parker and newly promoted Temarrick Hemingway will handle duties at tight end for the Broncos going forward this season.

Confirmed out for the year

Coach Vance Joseph confirmed Monday that Heuerman (ribs/lung) will miss the rest of the season, Ryan O'Halloran of The Denver Post reports.

Analysis: Diagnosed with three broken ribs and a bruised lung, Heuerman finishes the final season of his rookie contract with 31 catches for 281 yards and two touchdowns over 48 targets in 11 games. He had a couple big moments in the passing game and earned a solid reputation as a blocker, but his so-so marks of 9.1 yards per catch and 5.9 per target could make it difficult to land a large contract this upcoming offseason. With the 2015 third-round pick headed for injured reserve, Matt LaCosse is left as…read more

Likely done for season

Heuerman is expected to miss the rest of the season while recovering from broken ribs and a bruised lung, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Analysis: Initially reported as a back injury, Heuerman's issue turned out to be far more serious. If Heuerman ends up being shut down for good, he'll finish the season with 31 catches for 281 yards and two touchdowns on 48 targets, highlighted by a 10-reception outing in a Week 9 loss to the Texans. The Broncos are left with Matt LaCosse as their top pass-catching tight end, while Brian Parker will ascend to the No. 2 role and likely handle some of Heuerman's blocking duties. The Denver offense may…read more

Exits with back injury

Heuerman left Sunday's game against Pittsburgh with a back injury, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Heuerman was deemed questionable to return in the fourth quarter, exiting the game with two catches for 44 yards on three targets. An absence for Week 13 against the Bengals would push Matt LaCosse into a bigger role after he put up a 3-34-1 receiving line (on four targets) in Sunday's 24-17 win over Pittsburgh.

Snags four passes

Heuerman caught four of five targets for 20 yards during Sunday's 23-22 win over the Chargers.

Analysis: It was a steep step off of Heuerman's career day against the Texans, but he's still tallied 21 targets over his past three games, just three fewer than the first seven games of the season combined. Without many established targets outside of Emmanuel Sanders and rookie Courtland Sutton, expect the targets to keep coming. Like all of Denver's pass catchers, Heuerman's value is hampered by Denver's tendency to pound the ball in the red zone, but -- of the mere three touchdown passes Denver has…read more

Enjoys career day in loss

Heuerman hauled in 10 of 11 targets, racking up 83 receiving yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 19-17 loss to the Texans.

Analysis: The third-year man out of Ohio State destroyed previous career bests in catches and yards (previous highs were four receptions and 57 yards), while accounting for his fourth career touchdown in a backbreaking loss to Houston on Sunday. When the Broncos pick up following a bye week Nov. 18 against the Chargers, it will be against a defense that ranks among the league's best units against tight ends, with 5.4 receptions surrendered per game to the position.

Catches first touchdown of season

Heuerman was targeted five times during Sunday's 30-23 loss in Kansas City, recording a 4-yard touchdown pass

Analysis: Heuerman helped bring Denver to within striking distance early in the fourth quarter, running a quick out and fourth-and-goal for a 4-yard touchdown, just the third score of his career. Though he's enjoying his first extended look as the starter, the fourth-year tight end is averaging less than nine yards per catch on 15 receptions this season. He figures to get a small bump with the departure of Demaryius Thomas as he remains one of a small handful of veteran skill players in Mile High. A…read more

Held catchless in win

Heuerman did not record an offensive stat during Thurday's 45-10 win over Arizona.

Analysis: Heuerman nullified his only catch, a would-be 10-yard touchdown reception, due to his own pass interference penalty. The fourth-year pro remains the top tight end option in Denver, having logged 81 percent of offensive snaps on Thursday, but he has yet to turn his opportunity into fantasy production.

Targeted six times

Heuerman caught three of six targets for 23 yards during Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Rams.

Analysis: Heuerman finished Sunday first among all of Denver's skill players with 58 offensive snaps, his third consecutive game with at least 50 snaps. That hasn't turned into much production, however, as he has yet to score this season and has topped 25 receiving yards in just one game. A middle-of-the-road Arizona pass defense awaits Thursday.

Logs 53 snaps

Heuerman caught two of four passes for 18 yards during Sunday's 34-16 loss at the Jets.

Analysis: Following a relatively impressive four-catch outing against the Chiefs, Heuerman fell back down to earth Sunday. However, with Jake Butt (knee) out for the season, Heuerman has a stranglehold on the starting job -- his 53 snaps trumping No. 2 Matt LaCosse by 34. The bad news: He's topped 20 yards just once this season. The Broncos might need to be aggressive on offense to keep up with the Rams on Sunday, but even then Heuerman is a tough start.

Turns in full practice

Heuerman (knee) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Zac Stevens of BSNDenver.com reports.

Analysis: Heuerman's advancement to a full session just three days after the Monday night loss to the Chiefs suggests he's not in any danger of missing the Week 5 matchup with the Jets. The Broncos will likely dial up another hefty workload for Heuerman, who logged 87 percent of the Broncos' offensive snaps in the team's first game sans Jake Butt (knee). The 25-year-old also absorbed some of Butt's responsibilities in the passing game, hauling in four of seven targets for 57 yards, all of which were…read more

Dealing with knee injury

Heuerman was a limited practice participant Wednesday due to a knee injury, Zac Stevens of BSNDenver.com reports.

Analysis: With Jake Butt (knee) out for the season, Heuerman dominated the workload at tight end in Monday's 27-23 loss to the Chiefs, catching four of seven targets for 57 yards while playing 88 percent of the snaps on offense. He may have suffered the knee injury near the end of the game, as Matt LaCosse took the field for the final drive of the night.

Should see role increase with Butt out

Heuerman should be in store for increased role on offense beginning with the Broncos' Week 4 game against the Chiefs after fellow tight end Jake Butt (knee) was diagnosed Thursday with a season-ending ACL tear, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.

Analysis: Heuerman has been serving as the Broncos' starting tight end through the team's first three games, but he took a backseat in the passing game to Butt. The second-year player, who missed his entire rookie campaign while recovering from a torn ACL in his opposite (right) knee, had tallied eight catches for 85 yards on 13 targets, while Heuerman was limited to five grabs for 32 yards on eight targets. Butt's absence probably won't translate to a huge influx in snaps for Heuerman, but it does…read more

Catches two passes

Heuerman caught two of four passes for seven yards during Denver's 27-14 loss in Baltimore.

Analysis: With the Broncos driving for a comeback midway through the fourth quarter, Case Keenum saw Heuerman cutting across the middle, threw off his back foot and was picked off for a game-crushing interception. The play was bad, but it was a good show of confidence for Heuerman who has tallied just 32 receiving yards thus far this season. Neither he nor backup Jake Butt has been particularly memorable this season, yet Butt leads across receiving categories and logged just six fewer offensive snaps…read more

Sees three targets

Heuerman caught two of three targets for 10 yards in Sunday's 20-19 win over the Raiders.

Analysis: Heuerman out-snapped No. 2 tight end Jake Butt by a 41-2 margin, but the latter had four receptions for 48 yards, including a key catch that led to a game-winning field goal. Though Heuerman has seen more playing time, Butt looks like the preferred pass-catching tight end and thus the more intriguing fantasy entity.

Targeted once

Heuerman hauled in his lone target, a gain of 15 yards, during Sunday's 27-24 win over Seattle.

Analysis: The Broncos' tight end hierarchy has arguably been the team's least clear position battle. Sunday didn't clear things up too much. Heuerman logged starter-level snaps -- 60 in all -- to Jake Butt's 36, yet Butt was targeted four times to Heuerman's one. If Heuerman is getting more snaps, but fewer looks, is he really more valuable than Butt?

No longer nursing knee injury

Heuerman (knee) recorded two catches for 21 yards during Saturday's preseason game against the Bears.

Analysis: Heuerman returned to game action after sitting out Denver's preseason opener. The Ohio State product presumably enters the season as the team's starting tight end, but he has the likes of Jake Butt, Austin Traylor and rookie Troy Fumagalli (sports hernia) looming close behind. Given his experience, Heuerman figures to open the season as the starter.

Practicing in pads

Heuerman (knee) is practicing in pads Monday for the first time in two weeks, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Analysis: Despite missing most of training camp and the first week of the preseason, Heuerman was listed as the top tight end on Denver's initial depth chart. He'll still need to fend off competition from Jake Butt, and there's no guaranteed the nominal starter will draw more targets than the backup. Austin Traylor is also in the mix for playing time, but he's absent from Monday's practice due to a shoulder sprain.

Sitting out preseason opener

Heuerman (knee) will not dress for Saturday's preseason opener against the Vikings, Aric Dilalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Analysis: Despite missing the beginning of training camp, Heuerman is apparently in no danger of losing his roster spot with the Broncos. He still tops the team's depth chart at the tight end position, but an influx of talent in the form of Jake Butt and Troy Fumagalli (groin) could put him on notice. Butt is especially viewed as a potential red-zone threat for the Broncos, and he could therefore wrestle a chunk of snaps away from the third-year tight end.

Works with trainers during walkthrough

Heuerman (knee) worked with trainers on the side during Thursday's walkthrough, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Analysis: Things seem to be progressing well for Heuerman, who was recently slotted at the top of Denver's tight end hierarchy. There's a chance the Broncos will opt to keep Heuerman on the sidelines for Saturday's preseason contest, but it looks as if the Ohio State product will be ready for the season opener.

Tops depth chart

Heuerman (knee) is listed as Denver's top tight end on the team's initial depth chart, the Broncos' official site reports.

Analysis: Despite not practicing recently, Heuerman finds himself ahead of the likes of Jake Butt and Austin Traylor, who have both reportedly turned heads at camp. Head coach Vance Joseph has stressed that this initial depth chart is little more than a starting point and this might be one position where that holds especially true. Butt and 2018 fifth-round pick Troy Fumagalli are logical candidates to make the team. Assuming the team keeps just three tight ends, Heuerman might go from top on the depth…read more

Close to return

Heuerman (sore knee) is close to returning to the field, Troy E. Renck of thedenverchannel.com reports.

Analysis: On the Broncos' posted depth chart Heuerman remains listed as the starter, followed by Jake Butt, Austin Traylor, Matt LaCosse, Brian Parker and Troy Fumagalli. In Heuerman's absence from practice, Austin Traylor and Jake Butt have seen first-team reps. From a fantasy standpoint, Denver's tight ends are not viewed as bankable commodities, though if Butt can stay healthy he has some upside as a pass catcher.

Still not at practice

Heuerman (knee) isn't practicing Wednesday, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Analysis: With Heuerman missing the early part of training camp due to knee soreness, Jake Butt and Austin Traylor have both been getting reps with the first-team offense. The No. 1 tight end job seems to be up for grabs, though the winner is unlikely to see a heavy flow of targets. The Broncos may end up deploying a committee at the position, in which case Heuerman likely would spend most of his time blocking. Butt is the upside choice among the group.

Dealing with knee soreness

Heuerman is dealing with knee soreness and could be limited in training camp, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Heuerman is slated to start at tight end for the Broncos, but Jake Butt and Austin Traylor could see additional reps with the first team throughout training camp if Heuerman is sidelined due to discomfort in his knee. The issue sounds relatively minor, however, so it wouldn't be a shock to see Heuerman return to full activity in the near future.

Heuerman should be the favorite for the Broncos' No. 1 TE job, Mike Klis of 9 News Denver reports.

Analysis: Klis' logic is essentially that, because Jake Butt -- the apparent future at the position for Denver -- missed all of his rookie season in 2017 to a torn ACL. Heuerman should be considered the 2018 de facto starter. The point is fair but ignores the fact that teams start inexperienced players all the time and that Heuerman, who also tore his ACL ahead of his 2015 rookie season, hasn't done much in Mile High Stadium. Since being drafted in the third round in 2015, Heuerman has just 18 catches…read more

Heuerman nabbed nine of 18 targets for 142 yards and two touchdowns during the 2017 season

Analysis: Heuerman put up eerily similar numbers to 2016, nine catches for 142 yards in 2017 as compared to nine catches for 141 yards in 2016. The big difference was that he manged to score his first two career touchdowns this season, nearly three years after being drafted in the third round out of Ohio State. Heuerman has flashed, at times, his ability to split safeties and make big plays like his 54-yard touchdown against the Colts in Week 15. He hasn't made those plays with any level of consistency…read more

Heuerman brought in his sole target for a 54-yard touchdown in Thursday's 25-13 win over the Colts.

Analysis: The third-year tight end scored his second touchdown of the season when he caught a perfectly thrown Brock Osweiler pass down the seam late in the third quarter and then fought off a pair of defensive backs to get in the end zone. It was only Heuerman's eighth catch and 14th target of the campaign, so fantasy success has clearly been few and far between for the Ohio State product. However, with Osweiler perhaps under center for the final two games of the season due to starter Trevor Siemian…read more

Heuerman (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

Analysis: With Heuerman showing enough improvement in his recovery from the knee issue to return from a two-game absence, he'll be included in a three-way timeshare at tight end with Austin Traylor and Virgil Green. That arrangement seemingly cannibalizes the minimal fantasy value of all three involved.

Heuerman (knee) is listed as questionablefor Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

Analysis: Heuerman was inactive last week, but he returned to full practice Friday, suggesting that he has a solid shot to return to action Sunday. In that scenario, he'll contend with Austin Traylor and Virgil Green for snaps at tight end, an arrangement that doesn't provide Heuerman with much bankable fantasy upside in Week 13.

Heuerman (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Analysis: With Heuerman inactive and A.J. Derby (shoulder) no longer in the mix, the Broncos' Week 12 tight end corps should once again be led by Austin Traylor and Virgil Green.

The Broncos have listed Heuerman (knee) as questionable for their game versus the Raiders.

Analysis: Heuerman was only able to practice in limited fashion both Thursday and Friday, while his status for Sunday's game is unlikely to be confirmed until closer to kickoff. However, the offense is unlikely to be impacted should he ultimately sit out, as he is just the third tight end on the depth chart.

Heuerman (knee) returned to a limited practice Thursday.

Analysis: Thursday's practice represented Heuerman's first on-field work since he played back on Nov. 12. His return to the field Thursday bodes well for his chances of suiting up Sunday against the Raiders, but with just six catches for 74 yards and a TD to his credit through nine contests, the 2015 third-rounder is off the fantasy radar in all but the deepest formats.

Heuerman (knee) did not practice Wednesday, Mike Klis of 9 News Denver reports.

Analysis: With A.J. Derby (shoulder) no longer in the mix, the Broncos' Week 12 tight end corps could once again be led by Austin Traylor and Virgil Green. Of that duo, Traylor represents the better fantasy dart, having hauled in four of his five targets for 36 yards in this past Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Bengals.

Heuerman (knee) won't play Sunday against the Bengals, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Analysis: A.J. Derby (shoulder) is also slated to miss the game, which sets the stage for Virgil Green to serve as Denver's top tight end Sunday. The Broncos could promote Austin Traylor from the practice squad to offer additional depth at tight end behind Green, Mike Klis of 9 News Denver reports.