Luke Musgrave DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Green Bay Packers are activating tight end Luke Musgrave (ankle) from Injured Reserve on Monday, and he will play against the New Orleans Saints, according to a source. Musgrave underwent surgery on his ankle in October and hasn't played since Week 3, so the Packers will ease him back in. The 24-year-old caught 34 of his 46 targets for 352 yards and one touchdown in his first 11 NFL games (nine starts) in Green Bay last year. In four games before injuring his ankle this year, Musgrave was barely involved behind Tucker Kraft, catching five of seven targets for 22 yards. He probably won't be all the field that much on Monday night in his first game back after a long layoff, and Musgrave will be a low-upside deep sleeper in DFS formats for the final three games of the regular season and in the playoffs for the Packers.

Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave (ankle) is listed as questionable for Week 16 against the New Orleans Saints. Musgrave has been out since Week 5 with his injury and could make a return this week. His presence would be less relevant for his fantasy value and more tied to the value of Tucker Kraft. Kraft looks like a great tight-end option this week and Musgrave's return would only cut into his value a little bit this week. If Musgrave is out, Kraft is locked and loaded as the go-to tight end for the Packers and is a great play at the position.

Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave (ankle) put in another day with a limited practice on Friday. The Packers will face the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football in Week 16, so Green Bay will have one more day of practice on Saturday. Since having his 21-day practice window opened to return from Injured Reserve, the 24-year-old has practiced on a limited basis five times. Unless he upgrades to a full session on Saturday, it's possible the Packers keep Musgrave on IR for another week. Musgrave has looked good in practice this week, but Green Bay has no incentive to rush him back and risk him not being 100 percent for the playoffs in four weeks. Even when Musgrave returns, he'll play second fiddle to starting tight end Tucker Kraft and will be off the fantasy radar. In four games before going on IR, Musgrave caught five of his seven targets for 22 yards and a touchdown.

Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave (ankle) was a limited participant in practice on Thursday. The 24-year-old remains on injured reserve, but it looks like he's gradually getting closer to returning given that he was able to practice in a limited capacity. He has been sidelined since Week 4, leaving Green Bay's tight end room in the more-than-capable hands of Tucker Kraft, who is the overall TE8 in fantasy football this year. Even when he's cleared to return to play, Musgrave will be off the fantasy radar in all leagues.

Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave (ankle) practiced for the second straight day on Thursday. The Packers officially opened Musgrave's 21-day practice window on Wednesday to return from Injured Reserve. He was listed as limited on Wednesday and will likely get the same designation on Thursday. The 24-year-old will be eligible to come off IR this weekend to face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night, but the Packers will make that decision on Saturday. Even if Musgrave returns to the field in Week 15, he'll likely be on a pitch count after not playing since Week 4. Before his injury, Musgrave was the clear TE2 in Green Bay behind Tucker Kraft, too, catching only five of his seven targets for 22 yards and no touchdowns in four games played. Musgrave should remain on the waiver wire in standard-sized fantasy leagues.