Nov 2, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) makes a catch for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Highmark Stadium.

Fantasy football managers haven't had to navigate many injuries through the first half of the season for tight ends, but Week 9 delivered a devastating blow when Packers breakout Tucker Kraft suffered a season-ending torn ACL. For managers looking to find a replacement, you've come to the right place.

The Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, and Tennessee Titans are on a bye this week, so fantasy managers who roster Jake Ferguson and Travis Kelce will also have to look elsewhere.

Tight ends delivered a historic performance on "National Tight Ends Day" just two weeks ago, but they came back to Earth in Week 9.

Fantasy managers face difficult start-sit decisions for their tight ends almost every week. Week 10 brings a new opportunity for your team to make a statement and playoff push.

Here is a breakdown of who you should start and who you should sit at tight end in Week 10 of the fantasy football season.

Fantasy football start 'em: Week 10 TEs

Theo Johnson, Giants (at Bears)

The Giants' second-year tight end has been a boom-bust option since Malik Nabers went down with a season-ending injury, but there's reason to believe another boom week could be in store in Week 10. Jaxson Dart will continue to evolve and Johnson has elite athletic skills that are being utilized in the red zone. Over the last six games, the 24-year-old has turned 33 of his targets into five touchdowns. He's finished with double-digit fantasy points in four of the last six games.

Expect Dart to continue to look for his athletic 6-foot-6, 259-pound tight end with quick throws on Sunday in a windy environment when the Giants travel to play in Chicago. The Giants are road underdogs, which favors a pass-heavy game script for Big Blue. Fantasy managers searching for upside at the position would be wise to add Johnson and start him against the Bears' defense, which has surrendered the second-most passing touchdowns this season.

Dalton Kincaid, Bills (at Dolphins)

Buffalo travels to South Beach in Week 10 to play a floundering Dolphins squad. Miami has allowed the third-most receptions to opposing tight ends. Last week, Kincaid went off for 22.1 points despite a bad matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. He's emerged as the top option in the Bills' passing game.

The Bills' high-octane offense will be hard-pressed not to lean on Kincaid against Miami, which has allowed the third-most yards, second-most touchdowns and fifth-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. Red zone usage is key among tight ends and Kincaid has become one of Allen's top targets. You can trust him in lineups with his high floor.

Kyle Pitts, Falcons vs. Colts (NFL Berlin game)

Pitts is coming off a disappointing showing, but we can point to Drake London's dominant performance for Atlanta. Still, Pitts saw seven targets even with London back in action and he should be in lineups against the Colts, who have allowed the third-most yards per game and the fourth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends. Indianapolis has also allowed tight ends to score a touchdown in four straight games.

The former No. 4 overall pick is finally producing consistently for the first time since his rookie season. Pitts is approaching weekly must-start status, and his continued involvement in the passing attack should have managers optimistic this Sunday when Atlanta battles the Colts in Berlin as underdogs. Atlanta could be forced to throw to keep pace with the high-powered Colts, setting Pitts up for a solid showing.

Cade Otton, Buccaneers (vs. Patriots)

The Buccaneers' No. 1 receiver, Mike Evans, suffered a broken collarbone in Week 7 and Chris Godwin could be sidelined again. Otton is a top-10 option and one of the top streamers of the week at the position when the Buccaneers take on the Patriots. This game has one of the highest totals of the week (48.5).

New England's defense is a pass funnel (seventh-most passing yards allowed). The Pats have allowed the 10th-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. Otton has garnered at least five targets in four straight games and finished with double-digit fantasy points in three of those. He's a focal point in the offense with their wide receivers banged up and could notch his first top-10 finish this Sunday if he can find the end zone for the first time in 2025.

Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 10 TEs

T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (vs. Ravens)

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy made his return last week, and Hockenson found the end zone, but the volume and upside continue to be limited. He finished with just 11 yards on three targets against Detroit.

Hockenson has been one of the biggest disappointments of the fantasy season so far, finishing outside the top 15 at the position in all but one game. Baltimore poses a tough matchup as it hasn't allowed a passing touchdown in two consecutive games. There have been few signs to trust Hockenson in 2025, so leave him on the bench again in Week 10.

Zach Ertz, Commanders (vs. Lions)

Jayden Daniels will miss time with the arm injury that he suffered at the end of Week 9. As a result, Marcus Mariota will start at quarterback for the Commanders. Ertz has averaged 6.05 fantasy points per game with Mariota this season and 10.2 with Daniels. Washington's offense faces a Detroit Lions team that is rounding into shape.

Ertz hasn't finished with double-digit fantasy points in five of his last seven games. Detroit's defense is top 10 in yards and receptions allowed to the position. Leave the veteran on benches and waivers this week.

Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em, Week 10

Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports has you covered:

→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 10.

→ A good running back makes all the difference. A bad running back can cost you a lot of points. Here's who to start and who to sit in Week 10.

→ The wide receiver position is one of the deepest each season. Set yourself up for success in Week 10 with start 'em, sit 'em advice for wideouts.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em tight ends: Week 10 fantasy football

Reporting by Tom Viera, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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