Reaches first Pro Bowl

Hooper was named to the NFC Pro Bowl roster Tuesday after Zach Ertz withdrew from the event, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Hooper enjoyed his best professional campaign by a mile in 2018, establishing new career highs in receptions (71), receiving yards (660) and touchdowns (four). As a reliable middle-of-the-field target for Matt Ryan, Hooper found himself well inside starting range among fantasy tight ends, but a plethora of options in the Falcons passing attack prevented him from becoming a truly elite option. With top wideouts Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley and Mohamed Sanu all set to return in 2019, Hooper appears…read more

Five catches to wrap up 2018

Hooper caught five of six targets, accounting for 67 receiving yards during Sunday's 34-32 win against the Buccaneers.

Analysis: Hooper concluded his breakout 2018 campaign on a high note against Tampa Bay's porous secondary, producing his seventh five-plus-reception performance of the year and accounting for his greatest receiving output over his past 10 outings. Now entering the final season of his rookie contract, Hooper has proven capable of delivering low-end TE1 production, having finished fourth among tight ends in receptions (71) and obliterating career highs in receiving yards and touchdowns while operating as a…read more

Picks up 36 yards in win

Hooper caught both of his targets for 36 total yards during Sunday's 24-10 win over the Panthers.

Analysis: Hooper helped tie up the game in the second quarter with a 32-yard reception, setting up a Matt Bryant field goal. It was an otherwise quiet outing for Hooper, who has just three games this season with fewer than three receptions, though two of them have come over the past two weeks. He'll have a chance to rebound in a big way in the season finale against a weak Tampa Bay pass defense against which Hooper collected nine catches for 71 yards and a touchdown in a Week 6 win.

Cleared to play again

Hooper (knee/ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game in Carolina, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Hooper played through the same pair of injuries in last week's win over the Cardinals, finishing with season-low marks for offensive snaps (34), snap share (51 percent) and targets (one). Another week of limited practice participation creates some concern about the extent of Hooper's role, though the lack of involvement last week was partially a product of the Falcons winning in a blowout. The team will probably need more from its passing game after halftime this week, and there's some chance…read more

Has reps capped Thursday

Hooper (knee/ankle) was listed as limited at Thursday's practice, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: While Hooper is still having his reps monitored carefully, the tight end at least seems to be in better place health-wise than he was a week earlier. Hooper sat out practices last Wednesday and Thursday before returning to work Friday, but went on to play a season-low 34 offensive snaps in Sunday's win over the Cardinals. With back-to-back limited practice showings to kick of Week 16, Hooper should reclaim a higher snap share this weekend in Carolina.

Still has limitations in practice

Hooper (knee/ankle) was limited in practice Wednesday, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: After he was contained to one limited practice last week, Hooper played a season-low 51 percent of the Falcons' offensive snaps last weekend versus the Cardinals. The reduced snap count was apparent in the box score -- no catches on one target -- the first time he was blanked since Week 13 of his rookie season in 2016. As the week goes on, a return to full participation would put Hooper in line for his usual workload in the 70-to-80 percent range Sunday against a Panthers defense that has given…read more

Drops touchdown on lone target

Hooper failed to haul in his one target during Sunday's 40-14 win against the Cardinals.

Analysis: Dealing with knee and ankle injuries, Hooper sat out of practice Wednesday and Thursday before participating in Friday's session and ultimately being cleared for Week 15. On a first-quarter red-zone drive set up by Tevin Coleman's monstrous 65-yard run, Hooper had a golden opportunity to cash in for his fifth touchdown of the season but was unable to haul in a chest-high pass from Matt Ryan on third-and-goal. With an eye on the future, and perhaps out of concern stemming from his questionable…read more

Expected to play

Coach Dan Quinn said Hooper (knee/ankle) will play in Sunday's game against the Cardinals after returning to practice Friday, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: The same goes for Julio Jones (foot), while running back Ito Smith (knee) is listed as questionable but is expected to play, per D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Matt Ryan thus figures to have his full complement of weapons against an Arizona defense that allows just 7.0 yards per pass attempt. The Cardinals have limited tight ends to just 52 catches for 538 yards and three touchdowns, including modest performances from the likes of Travis Kelce (6-46-0), George Kittle…read more

Practicing Friday

Hooper (knee/ankle) suited up for Friday's practice, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Hooper sat out the Falcons' first two practice sessions of the week, but it appears he will get some work in Friday, which bodes well for his chances of taking the field in Week 15. His official injury designation for Sunday's matchup with the Cardinals will be revealed after Friday's practice concludes.

Held out of practice again

Hooper (knee/ankle) stretched with the team but didn't practice Thursday, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Hooper has yet to practice since limping off the field on the final possession of the Falcons' Week 14 loss at Green Bay. Knee and ankle injuries are to blame, but one practice remains to prove that he can play through any discomfort. Elsewhere in the TE corps, Logan Paulsen (knee/ankle) returned to practice Wednesday and would serve as the top option if Hooper ultimately is unable to suit up Sunday against the Cardinals. Meanwhile, Atlanta's sole healthy tight end is Eric Saubert, who has five…read more

Misses practice with knee injury

Hooper (knee) isn't practicing Wednesday, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Injured in the closing minutes of Sunday's 34-20 loss to Green Bay, the 24-year-old tight end is now in danger of sitting out Week 15 against the Cardinals, though coach Dan Quinn said Monday that Hooper should have a chance to play. No. 2 tight end Logan Paulsen (knee/ankle) returned to practice Wednesday after missing the Week 14 game.

Could play this week

Coach Dan Quinn said Hooper (knee) has a chance to play Week 15 against the Cardinals, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Hooper injured his knee toward the end of Sunday's 34-20 loss to Green Bay, ultimately catching four of six targets for 37 yards across 55 snaps (78 percent). The Falcons believe he avoided a long-term injury, but there's still no guarantee he'll be ready for Week 15. No. 3 tight end Eric Saubert is left as the team's only healthy player at his position, with Logan Paulsen (knee/ankle) coming off a Week 14 absence.

Sustains knee injury

Hooper suffered a knee injury in Sunday's 34-20 loss to the Packers, Kelsey Conway of the Falcons' official site reports.

Analysis: Hooper limped off the field on the Falcons' final drive of the game and was deemed questionable to return, but with the contest in the closing stages and already out of reach, he never retook the field. The 24-year-old caught four of six targets for 37 yards, as the Falcons offense struggled to score until the fourth quarter. The specifics of the injury remain unclear, but his status should receive some clarification by the time Atlanta resumes practice Wednesday.

Leading receiver in Week 13 loss

Hooper caught all five of his targets, racking up 44 receiving yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 26-16 loss to Baltimore.

Analysis: Hooper has been a steady contributor in the Falcons passing attack over the past four weeks, compiling four or more receptions and five-plus targets in every game, with 24 total catches and two touchdowns over that span. He's been a top-10 play at tight end in most all scoring formats this season, but what's preventing him from becoming an upper-echelon option at the position is an inability to stretch the field. Hooper has only exceeded 60 receiving yards once through 12 outings this season,…read more

Another high-volume workload

Hooper caught all five of his targets for 31 yards during Thursday's 31-17 loss to the Saints.

Analysis: Hooper has been a high-volume target within the Falcons passing attack, helping him develop into a back-end TE1 option in his third year out of Stanford. He's garnered 6.2 targets per game this season (compared to a previous career-best of 4.1 targets per game in 2017), and remains just 50 receiving yards short of a personal record (526). A Week 13 matchup against Baltimore is less than optimal, facing a defense that's allowed three tight end touchdowns all season -- Hooper has a score in three…read more

Contained by Dallas defense

Hooper hauled in four of eight targets, picking up 27 receiving yards during Sunday's 22-19 loss to the Cowboys.

Analysis: Hooper endured a ho-hum performance against a Cowboys defense that's struggled at defending the position in 2018 (entered Week 11 allowing the fifth-most tight end receptions). The third-year man was held under 40 yards for the first time since Week 4, while tying his worst catch rate of the season at 50 percent. Outside of three monstrous showings -- a combined 28 catches for 204 yards and two touchdowns against Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay and Cleveland -- Hooper has averaged 3.1 catches and fewer…read more

Catches 10 balls, TD in Week 10

Hooper caught 10 of 11 targets for 56 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 28-16 loss to the Browns.

Analysis: Hooper did his damage on checkdowns, with none of his catches going for longer than 10 yards. The tight end's three-yard touchdown on fourth down gave his team a glimmer of hope, cutting the deficit to 28-16 in the fourth quarter. Hooper's come on after a slow start, topping 40 receiving yards in each of the past five games after coming up short of 25 in three of the first four contests of the season. You could do much worse at tight end in Week 11 than Hooper against the Cowboys.

Second straight three-catch performance

Hooper hauled in all three of his targets for 41 receiving yards during Sunday's 38-14 victory against the Redskins.

Analysis: The third-year tight end has been absurdly efficient over the past five weeks, posting a catch rate of 82.8 percent while averaging nearly 60 receiving yards per game (31.2 yards per game through Week 4). Hooper's involvement in the passing attack has accelerated in 2018, with 44 targets in eight outings, compared to 35 targets at this time last year. Upcoming Sunday is a matchup against a Browns defense that's surrendered 58 receptions and six touchdowns to tight ends thus far this season.

Cools off following explosive two-game streak

Hooper hauled in three of his four targets, while accounting for 48 receiving yards during Monday's 23-20 win against the Giants.

Analysis: Hooper put forth a performance Monday that more so resembled the player he had been through his first 34 career games, compared to the prolific production he had enjoyed over his previous two outings. The third-year tight end posted per-game averages of 2.2 catches and 27.1 receiving yards for his career prior to Week 5 of this season, when he suddenly exploded for 18 combined catches for 148 yards and a touchdown in matchups against Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay. Make no mistake about it. Hooper…read more

Extra offseason work paying off

Hooper enters a Monday night clash with the Giants in the midst of a likely soon-to-be career year, with 30 receptions on 37 targets for 273 yards and two touchdowns through six games.

Analysis: Matt Ryan has a 116.8 passer rating this season when targeting Austin Hooper, the second-highest among any quarterback-tight-end duo in the league. Voluntary offseason workouts have paid dividends for Hooper, as he and Ryan built rapport over the offseason playing catch at a local high school. If Hooper's stat line through six weeks is extrapolated over a 16-game stretch, he remains on pace to rack up 80 receptions for 728 yards and five touchdowns (previous career highs 49/526/3). Week 7…read more

Amidst greatest stretch of young career

Hooper corralled nine of his 10 targets, while accounting for 71 receiving yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 34-29 win against Tampa Bay.

Analysis: The third-year tight end had exceeded six receptions in a game once in his career entering Week 5, but he's now pieced together back-to-back performances with nine receptions and 70-plus receiving yards against the Steelers and Buccaneers. With all the weapons to account for in the Falcons passing attack, Hooper is benefiting from single-coverage situations and putting up monstrous numbers in the process, hauling in a highly efficient 18 of 22 targets for 148 yards over Atlanta's past two…read more

Huge outing in Week 5

Hooper collected nine of 12 targets for 77 yards during Sunday's 41-17 loss to the Steelers.

Analysis: The third-year tight end set new season highs in targets and receptions against Pittsburgh, while accounting for his highest output of receiving yards since Week 1 of last season. Hooper feasted on a favorable matchup against a Steelers defense that surrendered more PPR points to tight ends than any other team coming into Week 5. Sunday provides further opportunity for bountiful fantasy production, with Hooper facing a Tampa Bay secondary that's been torched for 9.4 yards per attempt in 2018.

Quiet in Week 4 Loss

Hooper hauled in one of two targets for 19 yards in a 37-36 loss to Cincinnati on Sunday.

Analysis: The third-year tight end has now been held to 24 or fewer receiving yards in three of four outings to start the season, and has only eclipsed 50 yards three times in 33 career games. Week 5 does provide some reason for optimism, as the Steelers have allowed opposing tight ends to catch 30 passes for 339 yards and three touchdowns on 42 targets through four weeks.

Held under 25 yards receiving

Hooper hauled in three of his four targets for 24 yards, as the Falcons fell to the Saints in overtime 43-37 on Sunday. He also caught a two-point conversion.

Analysis: The third-year tight end boasts an outstanding catch rate thus far in 2018 -- 11 receptions on 13 targets, or 84.6 percent -- but his touchdown-dependence is a very real inhibitor to his value. Hooper has produced at least 40 yards receiving just six times in his last 19 regular-season games, with touchdowns in all four of those outings. Next week provides hope for Hooper to realize his fantasy upside, facing a Cincinnati secondary that has allowed 7.7 receptions per game to the tight end…read more

Scores first touchdown of 2018

Hooper hauled in all five of his targets for 59 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 31-24 win over the Panthers.

Analysis: Hooper's performance on Sunday was his most substantial PPR-scoring output since Week 10 of last season (16.9 points). With 59 yards against Carolina, the former Stanford standout also eclipsed 50 receiving yards for the first time since putting up over 100 in Week 1 of 2017. Upcoming for Hooper and the Falcons is a Saints defense that has allowed 663 passing yards during the first two games of the season to Ryan Fitzpatrick and Tyrod Taylor.

Puts in full session

Hooper (knee) was a full participant in the Falcons' practice Thursday, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Analysis: Though there hadn't been any reports that Hooper picked up an injury in the Falcons' season-opening loss to the Eagles, the 23-year-old ended up being limited by the knee issue during Wednesday's session. Hooper's advancement to full participation a day later suggests the injury was only a mild concern. Expect Hooper to see ample playing time once again Week 2 against the Panthers after he logged 59 of a possible 70 offensive snaps in the opener.

Limited in Wednesday's practice

Hooper was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice due to a knee injury, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Analysis: Hooper's knee issue comes as a mild surprise given that there weren't any reports of an injury coming out of last week's loss to the Eagles. Should he recover from the setback in time to play Sunday against the Panthers, Hooper could struggle to see much work in the passing game. The Panthers put the clamps on Dallas' short-passing game in the season opener, limiting starting tight end Geoff Swaim to 18 receiving yards.

Picks up three catches in loss

Hooper corralled three of his four targets for 24 yards in Atlanta's 18-12 loss to Philadelphia on Thursday.

Analysis: Hooper is a sure-handed target but not an explosive player by any means, as he has now gone 16 consecutive regular-season contests without exceeding 50 receiving yards (averaging 26.4 yards per game during that span). The breakout performance is unlikely to come in Atlanta's Week 2 matchup against Carolina, facing a defense that allowed the fifth-fewest points to tight ends in PPR scoring last season.

Developing into more complete player

Head coach Dan Quinn said Saturday that Hooper is improving as a run blocker, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: If Hooper can adequately contribute in opening up running lanes for Atlanta's talented stable of backs, it will likely increase the third-year tight end's weekly snap count. His pass-catching abilities and athleticism are a proven commodity, but improvement as a blocker will only up his fantasy value by way of enhanced playing time. Hooper has potential low-end TE1 value within the high-powered Falcons offense, as he'll frequently be facing single coverage given all the other weapons that…read more

Dominates opening drive

Hooper caught both of his targets for 33 yards and a touchdown in Friday's preseason game against the Chiefs.

Analysis: Hooper picked up 29 yards to convert a 3rd-and-11 on Atlanta's third snap, then hurdled over a defender for a four-yard touchdown to finish the opening drive. His talent, age and pedigree make him a reasonable candidate for a Year 3 leap, but he may struggle for volume when the Falcons have all their weapons healthy.

Hooper was mentioned by head coach Dan Quinn at this week's NFL owners meetings as one player who the Falcons expect elevated performance from in 2018, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. "I'm really looking forward to where Austin Hooper is going to go," Quinn said this week at the NFL owners meeting, "In the run game, he can get better... (but) he's a really committed football guy. I think there will be a big jump."

Analysis: Hooper increased his catch total from 19 during his rookie campaign to 49 in his sophomore season, but Quinn still sees substantial room for growth in the young tight end's game. It's likely that improvement as a blocker would help Hooper increase his snap count from last season's 76.6 percent, but more consistent production as a receiver would also significantly bolster his chances of being a part of the Falcons' long-term plans. Hooper enjoyed a promising first half of the season in 2017,…read more

Hooper returned to Atlanta last week to work with Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan at the team facility, ESPN.com's Vaughn McClure reports.

Analysis: Despite ripping off an 88-yard touchdown in the first game of the year, Hooper saw his average per reception drop from 14.3 yards as a rookie to 10.7 in 2017. He had a couple drops in crucial moments and finished the season with 49 catches for 526 yards and three touchdowns on 65 targets, failing to top 50 yards in any game after Week 1. The 2016 third-round pick appears locked in as Atlanta's top tight end, but he'll need to display major improvement to earn consistent volume, as the Falcons…read more

Hooper caught one ball for three yards Saturday in a 15-10 playoff loss to the Eagles.

Analysis: The Falcons never expected Hooper to live up to the likes of Tony Gonzalez, but it's hard to say that he's lived up to expectations in two years in the league. Hooper did see a sizable increase in both targets and yards, as he finished the year with 49 receptions for 526 yards, but he was again held to only three touchdowns. Some of that is due to the fact the Falcons have a number of offensive weapons, but fantasy owners likely hoped for more this year. Hopefully, he continues to see more work…read more

Hooper caught three balls on five targets for 15 yards in Saturday's 26-13 playoff win over the Rams.

Analysis: Hooper has had between two and three receptions in each of his last seven games, so you know what to expect from him. He hasn't caught a touchdown pass in any of those games, either, so temper your expectations in the divisional round against the Eagles.

Hooper caught both of his targets for 12 yards in the 24-21 win over the Buccaneers on Monday.

Analysis: Matt Ryan only completed 17 passes on the evening, so Hooper didn't get a lot of looks. He's gone five weeks without a touchdown and would be a risky option in Week 16 against the Saints.

Hooper brought in two of four targets for 23 yards in Thursday's 20-17 win over the Saints.

Analysis: Hooper was once again strictly a complementary figure in the passing attack behind wideouts Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu. The second-year tight end has been quiet over the last four games, notching 10 catches for 81 yards during that stretch. That follows a three-game span in Weeks 8-10 during which Hooper had compiled 13 catches and had seen six targets apiece in each contest. He remains a hit-or-miss option week-to-week and will look to up his production against the Buccaneers in a Week 15…read more

Hooper caught three balls for 21 yards in Sunday's 14-9 loss to the Vikings.

Analysis: Hooper's three receptions tied for the team lead, which speaks to how ineffective Atlanta's passing attack was on the day. A bounce-back isn't likely Thursday versus a Saints defense that has given up only 3.3 receptions per game to tight ends in 2017.

Hooper brought in three of five targets for 38 yards in Sunday's 34-20 win over the Buccaneers.

Analysis: The second-year tight end once again had a modest role on an afternoon that was dominated by the remarkable exploits of Julio Jones. Hooper has at least been seeing a steady target share on the majority of weeks, which has helped him notch at least two catches in five straight games, as well as in seven of the last eight overall. The 23-year-old has yet to flash much yardage upside outside of the opener versus the Bears, but his three touchdowns on the season and volume of between five and six…read more

Hooper nabbed all six of his targets for 49 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 27-7 win over Dallas.

Analysis: Hooper helped cap off the romp early in the fourth quarter with a one-yard touchdown grab, his second in three weeks, after battling through a five-game scoreless streak earlier in the season. Most of Hooper's work takes place underneath as he's averaged just 8.7 yards per catch from Week 2 on. Still, it's a positive sign that Matt Ryan is looking more frequently toward Hooper, who has been targeted at least six times in five of his last six games.