KADEN SMITH NEWS

Could start Week 1? Smith caught both his targets for 26 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 22-20 preseason loss to New England, while fellow Giants tight end Evan Engram left early with a calf injury.

Impact With Kyle Rudolph (foot) and now Engram looking uncertain for Week 1 against Denver, it's possible Smith jumps from third on the depth chart to a three-down role, at least temporarily. He technically made 12 starts last season, but Smith saw just 21 targets on 453 snaps while working behind Engram, down from 42 targets on 433 snaps in 2019 when he spent the second half of his rookie season filling in for an injured Engram. Smith even put up serviceable fantasy numbers over his six starts in 2019, averaging 5.0 catches for 44.5 yards and 0.5 TDs on 6.8 targets. He's unlikely to match that if he handles the No. 1 role for a period again, but he'd at least be worth monitoring as a potential TE streamer.

AUGUST 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Jones pushing Newton for Pats QB, New England beats Giants

Mac Jones is really pushing Cam Newton for the New England Patriots’ starting job at quarterback

AUGUST 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kaden Smith hauls in 23-yard TD pass ' Giants vs. Patriots Highlights Tight end Kaden Smith caps off a 9-play drive with a 23-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Daniel Jones.

AUGUST 30, 2021 • GIANTS.COM

Giants finally activate veteran TE Kyle Rudolph off PUP list

Veteran tight end Kyle Rudolph is finally getting on the field with the New York Giants

AUGUST 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Minor role Smith caught only 18 passes (on 21 targets) for 112 yards in 15 games in 2020.

Impact He was stuck behind Evan Engram, who stayed healthy for the first time in his career. Engram, despite his many disastrous gaffes, is still under contract for 2021, so Smith is likely looking at a backup role again.

JANUARY 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Untargeted against Ravens Smith did not receive a target during Sunday's 27-13 loss to the Ravens.

Impact Smith has dealt with an illness and a knee issue over the past month, but he remains with only one game absence on the season. Though the tight end has inherited a workload of 30 offensive snaps per contest in 2020, it hasn't translated to significant production in the passing game. Smith's most notable fantasy outing of the year arrived via a three-catch, 15-yard performance Week 6 against Washington.

DECEMBER 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

In Week 15 lineup Smith (knee) is listed as active for Sunday night's game against the Browns, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Impact A knee issue held the Stanford product to limited participation in practice Thursday and Friday, and he carried a questionable designation heading into the weekend. Now confirmed active for his 13 appearance of 2020, Smith has a chance to build on a stat line of 16 receptions and 96 yards. Position mate Evan Engram has enjoyed the bulk of the passing-game work with 50 catches for 526 yards and one receiving TD.

DECEMBER 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Sunday night Smith (knee) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday night's game against the Browns, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Impact Smith recently spent time on the COVID-19 list, but it's a knee injury that's threatening his availability for Week 15. With top tight end Evan Engram (calf) also listed as questionable, Smith's presence as a depth option would be even more valuable than usual for the Giants.

DECEMBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Giants place linebacker Kyler Fackrell on injured reserve

Giants linebacker Kyler Fackrell was placed on injured reserve with a calf injury and he will miss at least three games in the closing stretch of the regular season

DECEMBER 1, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Returns to active roster The Giants activated Smith (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, Dan Salomone of the team's official site reports.

Impact Smith tested positive for the virus Nov. 20 but has cleared the necessary protocols to return to team activities. The second-year tight end will return to the lineup without missing a game, set to serve as the No. 2 option behind Evan Engram against the Seahawks on Sunday.

DECEMBER 1, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

May return Week 13 Smith (illness) likely will be activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list before this Sunday's game versus the Seahawks, Tom Rock of Newsday reports.

Impact Smith tested positive for the virus Nov. 20, so he's eligible to come off the reserve list Monday. As long as he clears the league's COVID-19 protocols, he's expected to return to team activities Wednesday. Smith has posted 14 receptions for 87 yards over 10 games this season while averaging 31.0 snaps per contest.

NOVEMBER 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Week 12 Smith (illness) won't be available to play Sunday against the Bengals, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Smith was revealed to have tested positive for COVID-19 on Nov. 20, and he looks like he won't be ready to play until Week 13 in Seattle at the earliest. His absence this weekend leaves Evan Engram and Levine Toilolo as New York's only available tight ends, though any of Nate Wieting, Rysen John or Nakia Griffin-Stewart could be elevated from the practice squad.

NOVEMBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

McKinney, Ximines to start practicing with Giants

Second-round draft pick Xavier McKinney and linebacker Oshane Ximines will start practicing with the New York Giants this week

NOVEMBER 23, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lands on COVID list Smith (illness) will be placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list following a positive test, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Smith's placement on the COVID-19 list amid New York's bye sheds doubt on his availability for Week 12 against Cincinnati. Levine Toilolo will serve as the top backup to Evan Engram if Smith is indeed forced to miss any time.

NOVEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Two catches in win over Eagles Smith corralled both of his targets for 12 receiving yards during Sunday's 27-17 win against Philadelphia.

Impact The 2019 sixth-round draft choice had been forced to exit last Sunday's matchup against Washington because of a concussion, though he was able to return to full practice participation by Thursday. Smith has appeared in all 10 games for the Giants this season, totaling 14 receptions for 87 yards with no touchdowns. New York heads into its Week 11 bye before returning to action Nov. 29 to face a Bengals defense that has surrendered the third-most receiving yards to opposing tight ends on the year (583).

NOVEMBER 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared for Week 10 Smith (concussion) isn't listed on the injury report heading into Sunday's game against Philadelphia, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Impact Smith has been cleared for action following back-to-back full practices Thursday and Friday. The Eagles have struggled to defend tight ends this season, but Smith's unlikely to get many opportunities to capitalize on this favorable matchup as the backup to Evan Engram.

NOVEMBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Trending in right direction Smith (concussion) was a full participant during Thursday's practice.

Impact Smith was diagnosed with a concussion following Sunday's game against Washington, and despite his full participation Thursday, it's not yet clear if he's officially cleared league protocol. If the tight end is able to gain clearance in time for Sunday's game against the Eagles, he'll assume his usual back-up role behind starter Evan Engram.

NOVEMBER 12, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Forced to exit with head injury Smith (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's matchup against Washington, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Impact Smith has been a constant presence in the Giants' lineup through the first half of 2020, appearing in all eight of New York's games while also logging seven starts. He's undergoing evaluation from the team's training staff and will now have to clear the league's concussion protocol before being eligible to return in a future contest. With Smith out, Levine Toilolo heads into the practice week as New York's No. 2 option at tight end behind Evan Engram.

NOVEMBER 8, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

No catches in TNF loss Smith was not targeted on any of his 36 offensive snaps during Thursday's 22-21 loss to Philadelphia.

Impact Smith's snap total was his highest of 2020 thus far, though his passing game involvement remains minimal. The second-year tight end has run a route on 79.3 percent of his passing-down plays, but he has just 10 total catches for 61 yards with no touchdowns. New York ranks 30th with 0.7 passing TDs per game this season, capping Smith's fantasy upside heading into a Week 8 Monday night matchup against Tampa Bay.

OCTOBER 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Reels in three passes Smith caught all three targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 20-19 win over Washington.

Impact Smith's numbers don't jump off the page, but the second-year tight end continues to enjoy consistent playing time, as he logged 23 of 48 offensive snaps (48 percent) and tied Evan Engram in targets Week 6. The Stanford product posted a 30-267-3 line with Engram out over the final six games in 2019, but as long as Engram's manning the top spot on the depth chart, Smith's fantasy value will remain negligible.

OCTOBER 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Another one-catch showing Week 5 Smith caught his lone target for a seven-yard gain during Sunday's 37-34 loss to the Cowboys.

Impact With Evan Engram back in the fold after missing eight games last season because of knee and foot injuries, the 23-year-old tight end from Stanford has posted seven total receptions over the first five appearances of his sophomore campaign. Smith has four starts to his name and has also played at least 30 percent of the offensive snaps in every game this season, but he hasn't been heavily involved pass-catching-wise for the Giants' 31st-ranked scoring offense.

OCTOBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Catches lone Week 4 target Smith caught his only target for a 10-yard gain during Sunday's 17-9 loss to the Rams.

Impact Smith has seen an average of 25 offensive snaps and two targets per game through the first quarter of the Giants' regular-season slate, but he is yet to register more than 17 receiving yards in a contest and remains without a touchdown on the year. He's the No. 2 pass-catching tight end in an offense that has only mustered 47 points all season, and a measly 18 points the past two weeks. New York's Week 5 opponent, Dallas, has struggled to stop anybody this season, including tight ends. The Cowboys rank among the NFL's 10 worst teams in both receptions (26) and receiving yards (257) allowed to the position.

OCTOBER 7, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Drafted by 49ers, Kaden Smith finds home with Giants When the 49ers visit the Giants in MetLife Stadium, Smith will not be seeking payback but instead the team’s first victory of the season and...

SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 • GIANTS.COM

Minimal involvement Week 2 Smith caught two of three targets for a net loss of one yard during Sunday's 17-13 loss to the Bears.

Impact After corralling both of his targets in the season opener for a total of 17 receiving yards, Smith served as little more than a bail-out option for his sophomore signal-caller Daniel Jones. At his peak, Smith racked up 267 yards and three touchdowns between Weeks 12 and 17 last year, but with Evan Engram now back in the fold after missing the latter half of 2019 due to a foot injury, the 23-year-old Smith has attracted a mere five targets in two games. Smith and the Giants will see a 49ers defense in Week 3 that is without the services of Nick Bosa (knee), Richard Sherman (calf), and Solomon Thomas (knee), though as a whole San Francisco has conceded the second-fewest tight end receptions in the NFL to this point.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Two catches in Week 1 loss Smith hauled in both of his targets for 17 receiving yards during Monday's 26-16 loss to the Steelers.

Impact The second-year tight end out of Stanford actually enjoyed more fantasy production in the opener than did Evan Engram, who only came down with two of seven targets for nine yards. Engram is expected to be featured as the clear No. 1 receiving tight end throughout 2020, but Smith has produced himself when granted the opportunity. Across seven career starts, his most recent of which came Monday night against Pittsburgh, Smith has averaged 4.6 catches and 40.6 receiving yards per game. Week 2 presents a matchup against a Bears defense that surrendered five catches, 56 yards and a touchdown to Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson on Sunday.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE