Cade Otton's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (knee) has been downgraded to out for Sunday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 16. The Bucs will be without Otton and will play Payne Durham at tight end in his absence. Otton was a big pass-catching threat at the position but Durham has caught just two passes so far this season. It will be a big fantasy downgrade at the position for Tampa Bay which also expects Ko Kieft and Devin Culp to fill in some at tight end. Kieft and Culp have yet to catch a pass this season. Expect wide receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan to benefit the most from Otton's absence, likely seeing an uptick in targets.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are now saying that tight end Cade Otton (knee) is doubtful to play on Sunday night in Week 16 against the Dallas Cowboys. Head coach Todd Bowles said that Otton will likely be a game-time decision this week, but it doesn't sound like they're expecting to play him against Dallas. Otton missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday before returning to a limited showing on Friday, but he was sporting a large brace on his injured left knee. Fantasy managers should have already moved Otton to the bench this week. After a three-game stretch from Weeks 7-9 in which he had 25 catches for 258 yards and three touchdowns that coincided with receiver Mike Evans being out with an injury, Otton has come back down to Earth in the last five games, clearing 35 receiving yards just once and not scoring at all. Fantasy managers should look to avoid a committee at TE in Tampa involving Payne Durham, Ko Kieft and Devin Culp.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (knee) is currently considered a game-time decision for Sunday's Week 16 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Otton missed the first two days of practice due to a knee issue that he appears to have suffered last week. He has been seen with a brace on his left knee, but the team hasn't commented on the severity of the issue. Otton has been quiet on the field lately with only one game with more than 35 receiving yards in his last five contests. His absence would likely result in Payne Durham getting the start at tight end. He wouldn't be a recommended streaming option even if Otton is forced to miss this game.UPDATE: Otton is officially considered questionable for Week 16.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (rest) and tight end Cade Otton (knee) were seen practicing on Friday, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Evans had been absent on Wednesday, but he returned to practice on Thursday and should be all set to play in Week 16 against the Dallas Cowboys. The 31-year-old caught nine passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns last week, and he needs 251 yards over his next three games to achieve his 11th consecutive 1,000-yard season. Otton, meanwhile, had not practiced yet this week, so the fact that he was able to get on the field in some capacity Friday is a good sign. Fantasy managers will still want to check the Buccaneers' final injury report for confirmation on his status, but his presence Friday is a step in the right direction. Otton would rank as a fringe top-12 fantasy tight end if active against Dallas.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (knee) is trending in the wrong direction in Week 16 after missing his second straight practice of the week on Thursday. Otton has been wearing a brace on his knee this week after apparently injuring his knee in the Week 15 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. If the 25-year-old can't return to practice on Friday, he'll be ruled out for Sunday night's contest against the Dallas Cowboys. In the event that happens, the Bucs are expected to roll with a committee approach at TE with Payne Durham, Ko Kieft and rookie seventh-rounder Devin Culp. Kieft is probably the best bet for sleeper production at the position against Dallas' defense, but fantasy managers should probably avoid the situation entirely. Otton was putting up high-end TE1 numbers when receiver Mike Evans missed a few games due to injury, but his production has fallen since Evans' return.