AJ Barner Injury News & Updates

Barner brought in four of five targets for 35 yards while taking his only carry for two yards in Sunday's 26-0 win over the Vikings.

Barner finished Sunday's contest as Seattle's leading receiver with the team executing a run-heavy gameplan against Minnesota. The versatile tight end ran another successful variation of Philadelphia's "tush push," marking his ninth rushing attempt of the season. Barner has been a pleasant surprise for those in deeper formats with 37 receptions for 359 yards and five total touchdowns across 12 starts.

Barner recorded two receptions on four targets for 18 yards in Sunday's 30-24 win over the Titans.

Barner was one of three players to earn four targets, as Jaxon Smith-Njigba dominated opportunity in the Seattle offense. Both of Barner's catches came on the Seahawks' first possession, and he did help the team get into field-goal range to tie the game at 3-3. He has at least three targets in seven of his last eight games, though he's also been held to 35 yards or less five times in that span.

Barner corralled 10 of 11 targets for 70 yards while taking two carries for one yard in Sunday's 21-19 loss to the Rams.

Barner bounced back nicely from a zero-catch effort in Week 10 to post career-best marks in targets, receptions and yardage against the Rams. The sophomore tight end recorded two more carries on Seattle's variation of Philadelphia's "tush push," but only one attempt proved to be successful in the divisional loss. Barner's big game pushed him up to 31 receptions for 306 yards through 10 starts, surpassing his rookie year totals of 30 and 245 respectively.

Barner rushed twice for three yards but wasn't targeted in Sunday's 44-22 win over the Cardinals.

The Seahawks threw the ball just 12 times, as they scored 38 points in the first half and benefited from two defensive touchdowns. Thus, Barner failed to secure a target for the first time this season while handling just 23 offensive snaps. He should return to his starting duties in Week 11 versus the Rams.

Barner (calf) is listed as active Sunday against the Cardinals.

Barner followed up back-to-back limited sessions to begin Week 10 prep due to a calf injury with a full session Friday, but he still entered the weekend listed as questionable. Despite the designation, he'll be available to a Seahawks offense that'll be down two wide receivers in Tory Horton (groin/shin) and Jake Bobo (calf). As a result, offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak could lean more on the team's tight ends in the passing game Sunday.

Barner (calf) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Arizona, but he seems likely to play after logging a full practice Friday, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

The quick return to full participation confirms that Barner's injury isn't serious, though the Seahawks weren't quite ready to remove him from their injury report. He hasn't missed a game this season and should fill his usual role as the No. 1 tight end, which has resulted in four receiving touchdowns and one rushing score despite averaging just 3.25 targets per game.

Barner (calf) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Arizona, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Barner handled his normal workload during Sunday's win over the Commanders, including his first rushing TD of the season on his fourth QB sneak. He also has four receiving touchdowns, but he's averaging just 3.25 targets per game and now has the calf injury as a potential concern. Elijah Arroyo and Nick Kallerup will take on larger roles at tight end if Barner ends up on the inactive listed ahead of a 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff this Sunday.

Barner (calf) practiced on a limited basis Thursday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Barner maintained his activity level from Wednesday's walkthrough, giving him just one more chance to prove his health this week before the Seahawks potentially tag him with a designation ahead of Sunday's contest against the Cardinals. Elijah Arroyo (elbow, FP this week) and Nick Kallerup are the healthy tight ends on Seattle's active roster at the moment.

Barner was limited at Wednesday's walkthrough due to a calf injury, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Barner has earned at least an 80 percent snap share in six of eight games this season, but the cumulative results in the box score (21 catches for 236 yards on 26 targets) have been tepid aside from his penchant for getting in the end zone, which he's done four times. He'll have two more opportunities to get back to full this week, or else risk entering the weekend with a designation for Sunday's contest against the Cardinals.

Barner caught three of four targets for 24 yards and rushed once for a one-yard touchdown in Sunday's 38-14 win over the Commanders.

Barner took a direct snap in the third quarter and rushed into the end zone to extend the Seahawks' lead to 38-7. The second-year pro continues to operate as the clear No. 1 tight end, as he played 43 of 51 offensive snaps (84 percent) and finished tied for second on the team in targets. Barner has scored five touchdowns through eight games, but he has averaged just 29.5 receiving yards per game.

Barner caught one pass (three targets) for seven yards in Monday's 27-19 win over the Texans.

There has been little room for targets this season behind lead wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but Barner has served as the top tight end with 18 catches for 212 yards (third on the team) and four touchdowns (tied for first). Barner continues to impress as a blocker and should maintain a high snap count as a result. He needs to find the end zone to pay off for fantasy purposes, though.

Barner secured all three targets for 71 yards in the Seahawks' 20-12 win over the Jaguars on Sunday.

Barner finished in the relatively unfamiliar position of second in receiving yardage and tied with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for the longest reception of the game. That catch covered a distance of 61 yards on the first play of Seattle's game-clinching drive, with Barner getting loose down the middle of the field after the catch and taking the ball down to the Jaguars' 12-yard line. Barner has now set new single-game season highs in receiving yards in three consecutive contests, but he's typically much more of a shorter-area target for Sam Darnold and will remain a complementary pass-catching option in a tough Week 7 home matchup against the Texans on Monday night, Oct. 20.

Barner hauled in all seven of his targets for 53 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 38-35 loss to the Buccaneers.

Barner followed up his best fantasy score of the season with a career game against the Commanders in Week 5, setting new personal single-game bests in receptions, yards and touchdowns. The surging sophomore nearly doubled his entire season production in the standout effort, bringing his receiving line up to 14-134-4 through five starts. Barner's rostered percentage will surely skyrocket heading into next Sunday's tilt against Jacksonville.

Barner caught all three targets for 32 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's 23-20 win over the Cardinals.

The Seahawks are dedicated to using two tight-end sets, and Barner continues to serve as the lead tight end with an 86 percent snap share. He's starting to look like a compelling red-zone target for QB Sam Darnold with two targets in three games, but his floor remains quite low, as the second-year tight end has never produced more than 34 yards in a game.

Barner caught his lone target for 23 yards in Sunday's 44-13 win over the Saints.

Barner played just 52 percent of the offensive snaps while rookie Elijah Arroyo handled 50 percent, but the split was likely due to the blowout nature of the game rather than a changing of the guard at Seattle's tight-end position. A fourth-round pick in 2024, Barner has produced four receptions for 49 yards through three games this season.

Barner caught two of three targets for 26 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-17 win over the Steelers.

The second-year tight end caught a seven-yard touchdown on the Seahawks' first drive of the second half. Barner continues to handle a massive workload, as he logged an 89 percent snap share in Week 2 compared to rookie tight end Elijah Arroyo's 39 percent mark. Still, that has translated to just six targets through two weeks for Barner. The Michigan product wasn't known for his pass-catching abilities in college, but we should continue to see high snap counts due to his run-blocking acumen.

Barner rushed once for two yards and caught one of two targets for no gain in Sunday's 17-13 loss to the 49ers.

Barner played 44 of the team's 52 offensive snaps, clearly out-snapping rookie second-round pick Elijah Arroyo (16 snaps). The Seahawks look committed to the run game, and Barner is considered the better run blocker of the two, meaning he should maintain an edge in snap counts moving forward. However, Barner won't provide much fantasy value unless he finds the end zone, which he did four times as a rookie.

Barner pulled in his only target for five yards in Friday's preseason win over the Chiefs.

Barner -- who is competing with rookie Elijah Arroyo for the starting tight end job -- started Friday's exhibition with the first-team offense. The 2024 fourth-round pick nabbed new quarterback Sam Darnold's first target as a member of the Seahawks. Barner appears to have the early edge in the competition after posting decent totals (30-245-4) as a rookie backup in 2024.

Barner will compete with rookie Elijah Arroyo for the starting tight end job after the Seahawks released Noah Fant on Sunday, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

The Seahawks selected Arroyo in the second round of April's draft and signed Eric Saubert this offseason, allowing them the flexibility to move on from Fant with one year left on his deal. A 2024 fourth-round pick, Barner started six games as a rookie and finished with 30 receptions for 245 yards and four touchdowns over 17 games. Barner will face stiff competition from Arroyo for the starting job in 2025. Arroyo is likely the better athlete of the two and should eventually command more attention in the passing game, but Barner will look to leverage his experience to hold off the newcomer.

Barner caught 30 passes (38 targets) for 245 yards and four touchdowns across 17 games with the Seahawks in 2024.

Barner operated as the Seahawks' No. 2 tight end behind Noah Fant. The rookie fourth-round pick managed to finish third among all Seahawks pass-catchers with four touchdowns despite never recording more than 34 yards in a game. Fant has one year remaining on his contract, meaning Barner will likely serve as the No. 2 once again in 2025.

Barner caught his lone target for 13 yards in Sunday's 30-18 win over the Cardinals.

Barner caught a short checkdown from QB Geno Smith and showed his physicality to gain extra yards after the catch. The rookie fourth-round pick recorded a 38 percent snap share as the Seahawks' No. 2 tight end.

Barner caught two passes (two targets) for 14 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 26-21 win over the Jets.

With Noah Fant (groin) back in the lineup, Barner reverted to No. 2 tight-end duties, recording a 40 percent snap share. Barner -- a rookie fourth-round pick -- reeled in a 12-yard pass from Geno Smith in the second quarter to get the Seahawks on the scoreboard. He doesn't have much upside in his current role unless he finds the end zone.

Barner caught three of four targets for 19 yards in Sunday's 16-6 win over the Cardinals.

Barner served as the Seahawks' top tight end with Noah Fant (knee) inactive. Through three games as the starter, Barner generated just nine receptions for 61 yards. Fant has a good chance to return in Week 13 versus the Jets, which would make Barner the No. 2 tight end again, where he previously hovered around a 40 percent snap share.

Barner is slated to remain the top option at tight end for the Seahawks in Sunday's game against the Cardinals with Noah Fant (groin) inactive for the contest.

The rookie fourth-round pick wasn't able to do much with expanded opportunity during Fant's first two absences in Weeks 9 and 11, generating a modest 6-42 line on 11 targets. Nevertheless, Barner should continue to profile as the top pass-catching option at his position versus Arizona, with veteran Pharaoh Brown also mixing in.

Barner caught two of four targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 20-17 win over the 49ers.

Barner has served as the No. 1 tight end in each of the last two games with Noah Fant (groin) inactive. A rookie fourth-round pick, Barner has six catches for 42 yards over those two games. Thus, Barner's fantasy upside isn't that clear even if Fant is out again in Week 12 versus the Cardinals.

Barner's teammate Noah Fant (groin) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at San Francisco, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Fant previously missed a Week 9 loss to the Rams in which Barner played 91 percent of snaps and caught four of seven targets for 27 yards. It was Barner's first time with more than 48 percent snap share or three targets in an NFL game, with his role being larger than what Fant handles when healthy. Fant is now missing another game after a Week 10 bye, but Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said Friday that he doesn't expect the veteran tight end to be placed on injured reserve.

Barner caught four of seven targets for 27 yards in Sunday's 26-20 overtime loss to the Rams.

Lead tight end Noah Fant (groin) was inactive, leading to Barner handling a 91 percent snap share. Barner was clearly part of the game plan but couldn't capitalize on the opportunity. The Seahawks are on bye in Week 10, and Fant could remain out in Week 11 versus the 49ers, which would make Barner an intriguing deep-league option.

Barner caught both of his targets for 34 yards in Sunday's 31-10 loss to the Bills.

The rookie fourth-round pick continues to play a meaningful role in the Seahawks' offense with a 40 percent snap share in Week 8. Barner appears far from passing Noah Fant for the starting tight end position, as he has yet to surpass three targets in a game this year.

Barner caught his lone target for 13 yards in Thursday's 36-24 loss to the 49ers.

The rookie fourth-round pick has caught just one pass in back-to-back games, and he now has seven receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown through six games. Barner and Pharaoh Brown are splitting time behind lead tight end Noah Fant, and neither player has made enough of an impact as a pass-catcher to separate himself.

Barner caught his lone target for 13 yards in Sunday's 29-20 loss to the Giants.

Barner was minimally involved Sunday, playing just 15 of the Seahawks' 58 offensive snaps as the No. 2 tight end behind Noah Fant. The 22-year-old rookie has now recorded six catches for 53 yards and a touchdown through the first five games of the 2024 campaign. Barner should be ignored for fantasy purposes as the Seahawks host the 49ers in Week 6.

Barner caught both of his targets for 27 yards and one touchdown in Monday's 42-29 loss to the Lions.

Barner's trip to the end zone was the first of his career, albeit it in a losing effort. The rookie tight end second-most offensive snaps (35) at tight end, behind Noah Fant (51) and ahead of both Pharaoh Brown (28) and Brady Russell (3). It's possible Barner's efficiency earns him some extra playing time in Seattle's offense, but he's likely more of depth option behind Fant for the time being. Barner does not carry much fantasy value heading into a Week 5 matchup against the Giants.

Barner caught all three of his targets for 13 total yards in Sunday's 24-3 win over the Dolphins.

Barner handle his lowest snap share of the year (28 percent) while fellow tight end Pharoah Brown returned to the lineup from a foot injury. These were his first catches of the season, but Barner will have little fantasy appeal as the No. 3 tight end.

Barner (hamstring) practiced with the team Monday, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

The tight end sat out of rookie minicamp and missed OTAs at the end of May due to the injury. Now that he's back, the fourth-round pick can try to earn a role on a depth chart that also includes veterans Noah Fant and Pharaoh Brown.

Barner (hamstring) is not participating in OTAs this week, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

Barner missed all of rookie minicamp with the injury and still isn't over the issue. He's missing valuable reps as a fourth-round rookie, but there's been no indication this is a serious injury that will keep Barner out for a lengthy amount of time. Barner is trying to push for playing time behind veterans Noah Fant and Pharaoh Brown after the Seahawks let Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson walk as free agents.