DALTON KEENE NEWS

Patriots activate Dalton Keene, add Donte Moncrief and other players to roster Keene, a 2020 third-round pick, missed the last five games with a knee injury.

DECEMBER 5, 2020 • BOSTON.COM

Moves off IR Keene (knee) was activated off injured reserve Saturday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Impact The 2020 third-round pick will make his return to the field after missing the last five games with a knee injury. Keene has played just 24 offensive snaps in his young career to date, but it's possible the rookie tight end might be pressed into action if Ryan Izzo (hamstring/hand) is unable to play Sunday.

DECEMBER 5, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Designated for return Keene (knee) returned to practice Wednesday, opening the three-week window for the tight end to be activated from IR, Mike Reiss of ESPN NFL Nation reports.

Impact Keene can be removed from IR whenever the team deems him ready, but he'll need to show that he's good to go in practice first. Given New England's lack of tight end usage in the passing game this season, Keene's unlikely to make much of an impact even once deemed healthy.

DECEMBER 2, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to IR The Patriots will move Keene (knee) to injured reserve Tuesday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Impact Keene will be sidelined for at least the Patriots' next three games as a result of his move to IR. The rookie third-round pick hadn't seen a major role behind starter Ryan Izzo through the first half of New England's schedule, but his absence weakens the Patriots' depth at the position nonetheless. The Patriots added reinforcement at tight end earlier this week, when the team claimed Jordan Thomas off waivers from Houston.

NOVEMBER 10, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Tight end Dalton Keene ruled out for Monday’s Patriots-Jets game The Patriots are already without wide receivers Julian Edelman and N'Keal Harry.

NOVEMBER 9, 2020 • BOSTON.COM

Out for MNF Keene (knee) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Jets.

Impact Keene didn't travel with the team for Monday's matchup, leaving just Ryan Izzo (hamstring), who is listed as questionable, as the only remaining tight end on New England's roster. Perhaps Rashod Berry, who is on the practice squad, will be elevated, otherwise, Izzo will handle a hefty workload if he's able to suit up.

NOVEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Listed as questionable for Week 9 Keene (knee) did not travel with the team to New York, but he remains questionable for a Monday night matchup against the Jets.

Impact With an extra day to work with, there seemingly is a chance Keene may be able to take private transport and still suit up for kickoff. Keene made his NFL debut Week 7 against the 49ers, catching his lone target for an eight-yard gain. Last Sunday against Buffalo he was ruled out with the same knee issue, and he's seemingly in danger of missing his second straight.

NOVEMBER 8, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Handed questionable tag Keene (knee) is questionable for Monday's game versus the Jets, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

Impact Keene strung together three limited practices this week, offering a good chance for the rookie third-rounder to return to action for Monday's divisional tilt. It's noteworthy that he practiced with a knee brace, and he could utilize similar support. Top tight end Ryan Izzo (hamstring) is also considered questionable.

NOVEMBER 8, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Another limited session Keene (knee) was a limited participant in Friday's practice, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

Impact Keene was spotted with a large brace on his left knee during Friday's practice. He's trending in the right direction after sitting out last week against the Bills, but there's a good chance that he's handed at least a questionable tag following Saturday's practice. The rookie third-rounder has played just one game this season, and Ryan Izzo (hamstring) is the only other tight end on the active roster.

NOVEMBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Still managing injury Keene (knee) was a limited participant during Thursday's practice, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

Impact Keene sat out last week's loss to the Bills with the knee issue, and he appears to still be battling the knee issue. The Patriots' tight end depth chart is currently pretty banged up, with Keene and Ryan Izzo (hamstring) battling injuries, along with Devin Asiasi (undisclosed) hitting injured reserve Tuesday.

NOVEMBER 5, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Inactive against Bills Keene (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bills.

Impact With Devin Asiasi (personal) also unavailable Sunday, the Patriots' Week 8 tight end duties will be handled by Ryan Izzo.

NOVEMBER 1, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Week 8 Keene (knee) is questionable for Sunday's contest in Buffalo.

Impact Keene was added to Friday's practice report with a knee issue, a hint that his injury may have been sustained during weekly practices. The rookie third-round pick played 24 of 52 offensive snaps during his pro debut Week 7, in which he caught his only target for eight yards. Keene isn't yet on the radar for fantasy production, but New England's offense is in dire need of a boost, so it'll be worth monitoring what the young tight end does with his opportunities if he's able to play against Buffalo.

OCTOBER 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Patriots Notebook: TE Dalton Keene making progress after NFL debut Dalton Keene’s work ethic has never been an issue, as seen as he rose through high school and college to become a third-round pick in last s...

OCTOBER 27, 2020 • BOSTONHERALD.COM

Catches one pass in pro debut Keene brought in his only target for eight yards in Sunday's 33-6 loss to the 49ers.

Impact In his NFL debut, Keene logged 24 (of a possible 52) snaps on offense, which was actually one more than starter Ryan Izzo. Keene could make a fantasy impact down the road, but so far this season, New England's tight ends have been afterthoughts in the team's passing attack.

OCTOBER 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Set to make NFL debut Keene is active for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Fellow rookie tight end Devin Asiasi was made a healthy scratch Sunday, which paves the way for Keene to make his NFL debut in Week 7. Though Keene posted modest volume while at Virginia Tech, his per-target efficiency was notable thanks to his strong work after the catch. A wait and-see-approach is in order here from a fantasy perspective, but perhaps Keene can provide the Patriots offense with a lift in his first game action as a pro.

OCTOBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

TE Devin Asiasi among Patriots inactives as Dalton Keene makes NFL debut The 2020 third-round pick may finally see game action.

OCTOBER 25, 2020 • USATODAY.COM

Officially out Sunday Keene (coach's decision) won't suit up in Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Impact The 21-year-old will be inactive for his third straight contest this season, evidencing his lack of role in the offense. With Keene sidelined, Ryan Izzo and Devin Asiasi will be the only healthy tight ends on the roster Sunday.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Overcomes neck injury Keene (neck) is not listed on Wednesday's injury report.

Impact Keene missed the first two games of the season due to a lingering neck injury, but in now looks as though he's back to full health. If the rookie tight end manages to avoid any setbacks and make his debut versus the Raiders on Sunday, he'll mix into a tight end rotation led by Ryan Izzo and also including fellow rookie Devin Asiasi.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Inactive for Week 2 Keene (neck) is inactive for Sunday night's contest against the Seahawks.

Impact Keene will need to wait at least another week before making his NFL debut. He put forth a 'FP/FP/LP' practice slate leading up to Sunday's matchup. With Keene sidelined, Ryan Izzo and Devin Asiasi will operate as New England's only active tight ends.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Listed as questionable again Keene (neck) is questionable for Sunday night's game against the Seahawks.

Impact Keene was a limited participant in Friday's practice after having previously logged back-to-back full sessions. If the rookie third-round pick is once again forced to delay his NFL debut, Ryan Izzo will handle the bulk of New England's tight end reps once more, with Devin Asiasi also working in.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Puts in full practice Keene (neck) practiced fully Wednesday.

Impact Keene was limited in practice last Thursday and Friday, eventually getting a questionable designation before being among the Patriots' inactive players for Sunday's win over the Dolphins. With a full session under his belt, the 2020 third-round pick can set his sights on making his professional debut this weekend in Seattle. It'll be interesting to see if Keene can break into a tight-end rotation led by Ryan Izzo and supplemented by Devin Asiasi, assuming he's active.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Inactive Sunday Keene (neck) is inactive for Sunday's game versus the Dolphins.

Impact With Keene out, fellow rookie Devin Asiasi and returnee Ryan Izzo will handle the team's Week 1 tight end duties. Of the two, Asiasi profiles as the better fantasy lineup dart in the Patriots' first game with Cam Newton at quarterback.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Sunday Keene (neck) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Dolphins, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Keene popped up on the injury report Thursday, and his status is in question for his NFL debut. The rookie third-rounder is listed as the No. 3 TE on New England's depth chart behind Ryan Izzo and fellow rookie Devin Asiasi, so he's worth keeping an eye on if he plays in this new-look offense.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Added to injury report Keene (neck) was limited at practice Thursday, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

Impact Keene was a Thursday addition to the Patriots' injury report, but more will be known about his Week 1 status Friday. The third-rounder's versatility figures to be an asset to the team in 2020, but it remains to be seen how heavily Keene will be targeted early on, with fellow rookie Devin Asiasi also in the mix, along with returnee Ryan Izzo.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Gaining ground Keene has "made up a lot of ground recently" on his fellow rookie tight end, Devin Asiasi, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports.

Impact Asiasi, the team's other rookie third-round tight end, has been limited by a foot/ankle issue over the past few days, which has afforded Keene some added opportunities in practice. The Virginia Tech product's versatility figures to be an asset in the Patriots offense, but we'd expect him to share snaps and targets with Asiasi out of the gate in 2020, a context that initially limits the duo's fantasy lineup reliability.

AUGUST 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE