However the offense takes shape, Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, the team’s highest-paid and most established weapons, will be featured. They are the rock upon which Bill Belichick has rebuilt his offense. And offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels isn’t discouraged whatsoever by their lack of time together this summer.

Related players: Mac Jones

The story went on to say signing Henry and Smith was an organizational recommitment to reclaiming the middle of the field, where the Patriots have drawn battle lines for two decades. Belichick has preached winning between the numbers since his days coaching in Cleveland. If Henry and Smith succeed in the box and down the seam, Jones will thrive. Smith and Henry were banged up a lot during camp and missed valuable time, so it remains to be seen how quick the team can turn to this offense and have success. We have Smith ranked higher but, based on this story, it's possible Henry could turn into a sneaky pick and play this season.

Hunter Henry injured a shoulder in the Aug. 8 practice. He missed the entire preseason.

The tight end, though, expects to play Sunday in his Patriots debut.

Related players: Jonnu Smith

Henry and Smith, another free agent addition, have yet to share the field together in a game setting, the story pointed out. Of course, fantasy owners are wondering which TE emerges as the go-to guy in the offense. A wait-and-see approach may be the best bet if you have another TE option.

Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry also in full pads.

Callahan added we'll have to see what their participation levels are on Monday, but it's certainly a good sign. The hope is both should be ready to go for Week 1, but from a fantasy point of view it could take some time to see where the value is for both players.

TE Jonnu Smith sustained a low left ankle sprain early in Sunday’s practice.

Related players: Hunter Henry

There is no firm timetable on his return, according to the tweet. But based on the initial diagnosis, it isn’t considered a serious injury the tweet went on to say. The Pats spent heavily on TE this offseason bringing in Smith and Henry, but now both are missing time leading up to the season.

Patriots TE Hunter Henry now is expected to miss “a couple of weeks” with the shoulder injury he suffered last weekend.

Related players: Jonnu Smith

The good news, according to the rest of Schefter's tweet, is the injury isn't serious. But in the meantime, Smith will perhaps get a leg up on Henry at the position.

Patriots TE Hunter Henry injured his shoulder in Sunday's practice, and is having an MRI, per a source.

Related players: Jonnu Smith

Reiss went on to say the initial indications are that the injury doesn't appear serious. But the bad news is the injury is painful and Henry could miss time in the preseason from what Reiss is saying. It will open the door a bit for Smith.

As he enters his third season with the Tennessee Titans, Anthony Firkser is set for a much bigger role this year.

Firkser, who had 39 receptions a year ago in a role mostly as a third-down option, is expected to become the Titans’ primary receiving tight end with the departure of Jonnu Smith to New England as a free agent.

According to a lot of reports, Firkser has had a great offseason. While he should see an increase in targets, the addition of Julio Jones keeps Firkser's ranking in check as he sits at 21st on our list. The story said Firkser is not to be overlooked in the offense, though, and he should benefit greatly from favorable matchups and should build on last year’s production with increased playing time. He'll be available later in drafts.

Former Titans’ TE Jonnu Smith reached agreement with the Patriots on a 4–year, $50 million deals that includes $31.25 million fully guaranteed, @DrewJRosenhaustold ESPN.

Along with Hunter Henry, Smith is one of the premier tight ends available in free agency. He's just hitting his prime (turning 26 in August) and is coming off a 65-target, 41-448-8 season for the Titans. He was underutilized in Tennessee's run-heavy scheme and played third-fiddle to A.J. Brown and Corey Davis in the passing game. The Patriots are in dire need of pass-catchers and that's where Smith can shine since he's something of a mediocre blocker (per PFF). In 2018, Rob Gronkowski saw 72 targets in 13 games (5.5 per game) and 105 targets (7.5 per game) the year before. Smith could certainly see 80-100 targets in 2021, though if the team continues to go run-heavy with Cam Newton at quarterback, that may not happen. (Jakobi Meyers led the team with 81 targets in 2020.)

Both WR Corey Davis and TE Jonnu Smith are aware that the #Titans will not be bringing them back to Nashville. Both will hit the free agent market per sources.

This is no big surprise for either of these players, and both should find themselves with a market during free agency. Corey Davis ended 2020 as WR30 in half-PPR points per game with 11.4, and Jonnu Smith's campaign was enough for TE10, averaging 8.0 half PPR points per contest.

Titans are not tagging TE Jonnu Smith, per source. Smith heads to free agency.

Jonnu Smith should be the second most in-demand TE after Hunter Henry this free agency period. The 25-year old still has plenty of gas in the tank as a fantasy TE.