Hayden

Hurst

RapSheet confirmed a post from earlier that suggested Hurst was on the way to the Chargers. While the two sides haven’t agreed to a deal yet, the former No. 25 overall pick in the 2018 draft is more than familiar with Chargers’ offensive coordinator Greg Roman, as the two spent a year together in Baltimore. Hurst has appeared in just 26 games over the last three seasons and caught 18 passes for 184 yards and one touchdown last season.

Just one season into a three-year, $21.75 million deal, Hurst had an upcoming $1.85 million roster bonus. You may think cutting the 30-year-old loose would create significant cap savings, but Hurst was due $5.75 million guaranteed in 2024. The Panthers are clearing a paltry $52,000 in space while leaving behind $9.9 million in dead money. The veteran former first-rounder missed the final eight games last season with a concussion. Teams keep betting they will be the ones to unlock Hurst’s potential, but that has proven to be a pipe dream. Five months shy of his 31st birthday, Hurst will likely struggle for guaranteed money on the open market.

Hurst is reportedly suffering from post-traumatic amnesia more than a month after he sustained a brain injury. He’ll miss the remainder of the season, leaving Tommy Tremble as the team’s primary pass-catching tight end if he can play through various injuries.

Hurst was diagnosed with post-traumatic amnesia after suffering a concussion in Week 10. He returned to the practice field this week but may be a few more weeks away from returning if he does at all this season. The Panthers listed backup tight ends Tommy Tremble and Stephen Sullivan as questionable. Expect Ian Thomas to see plenty of snaps with all of the injuries the Panthers are dealing with at tight end. There isn’t a fantasy option in the midst here no matter how the questionable tags shake out on Sunday.

On the same day Hurst’s father announced his son was dealing with Post Traumatic Amnesia, Hurst returned to the practice field. The veteran tight end was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice and will likely get in another limited practice on Thursday. Hurst’s injury is just the latest example of violent head injuries that take place on a week-to-week basis, and while he said this isn’t career-ending, the prospects of him playing again are somewhat unnerving. We’ll see if he’s able to clear concussion protocol to play in Week 14 against the Saints, but even if he’s on the field, he’ll be hard to trust from a fantasy perspective.

Hurst suffered a concussion in Week 10, missing three games since then. He did return to practice Wednesday, but was in a red non-contact jersey. Hurst’s father tweeted that Hurst has been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Amnesia by an independent neurologist and has a “slow recovery” ahead of him. Eventually, Hurst may be able to return to football, but is now dealing with a more serious issue and recovery ahead of him.

Fellow tight end Tommy Tremble was also limited in practice. Hurst has missed three games while recovering from the concussion he suffered in Week 10. He was in a non-contact jersey in practice, so there are still more steps in the league’s concussion protocol for him to clear before he is ready to return. Still, it looks like he could be back this week. Even if healthy, Hurst won’t be on the fantasy radar for Week 14. He had been playing a part-time role before suffering the concussion and has one game over three catches this year.

Listed as doubtful with a hip injury, Tremble will miss this week’s game along with starting TE Hayden Hurst (concussion). Ian Thomas could function as the team’s top tight end with Tremble and Hurst sidelined. He’s not fantasy viable.

Meanwhile, Tommy Tremble (hip) is doubtful to suit up against Tampa. That leaves Giovanni Ricci, who has one reception in 2023, as the Panthers’ only healthy tight end. Ricci is a fantasy option in 32-team leagues.

Hurst has had an extended stay in the league’s concussion protocol, which is concerning as far as his health goes. The veteran tight end last played in Week 10 against the Bears and is at risk of missing his third-straight game if he’s unable to clear protocol. If active, Hurst will be hard to trust from a fantasy perspective, as he’s averaged just two receptions per game on the season.