Josh Oliver DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Minnesota Vikings tight end Josh Oliver (biceps) suffered a torn biceps muscle in the Week 3 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday and needs season-ending surgery, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Oliver will miss the rest of the 2026 regular season, and he will be a long shot to return if the Vikings have a deep playoff run. The 29-year-old former third-round selection of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019 from San Jose State was not on the fantasy football radar as a pass-catching TE, but he was extremely valuable to the Vikings' offense as a blocker. His 2026 season will end after just three games and three catches (five targets) for 46 yards. Oliver did have seven combined touchdowns for the Vikings in 2024 and 2025, but he has never surpassed 28 receptions or 258 receiving yards in a single season since making his NFL debut with the Jaguars in 2019.

Minnesota Vikings tight end Josh Oliver (ankle) has been ruled out for the remainder of his team's Week 18 matchup against the Green Bay Packers after suffering an ankle injury. Oliver recorded two catches for 29 yards on two targets before exiting the game. The 28-year-old will finish the 2025 season with 15 catches for 160 yards and four touchdowns on 19 targets across 15 games played. Minnesota entered the game already without tight end T.J. Hockenson (shoulder), so the team is now working without its top two players at the position. Without Hockenson and Oliver, the Vikings will likely rely on tight ends Ben Yurosek and Ben Sims for the remainder of Week 18.

Minnesota Vikings tight end Josh Oliver is a lowly rated option who can be safely avoided in the majority of formats when the Vikings play host to the Detroit Lions on Christmas Day. The Vikings will be without starter T.J. Hockenson (shoulder), though Oliver will be reliant upon a third-string quarterback and a patchwork offensive line to power the passing attack. With backup quarterback Carson Wentz (shoulder) already out for the year, the injury to J.J. McCarthy (hand) means that Max Brosmer will earn another start. That comes with the backdrop of left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) and center Ryan Kelly (concussion) missing, and right tackle Brian O'Neill (heel) questionable as well. The Lions rank a favorable 20th against half-PPR tight ends, but Minnesota is so hampered that Oliver, rated RotoBaller's No. 52 tight end this week, can remain on waivers in most leagues.