James caught one of two targets for 23 yards during Sunday's 20-7 loss to the Vikings.

EDGE Analysis

Getting the start in place of T.J. Hockenson (ankle), James unsurprisingly failed to match the 11 targets Hockenson saw last week with interim quarterback David Blough. Somewhat more surprising is that James ultimately finished with less snaps than backup Logan Thomas, who also doubled James with four targets of his own. James probably shouldn't have been counted on for fantasy production anyway, but there's at least the possibility for a rebound Week 15 against a weak Buccaneers secondary.

James is expected to serve as the Lions' top tight end for the team's final four games of the season after T.J. Hockenson (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Monday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

James looked like he might have been in store for a significant role with Detroit in 2019 when he inked a four-year, $25 million deal in free agency in March, but he soon became a pricey No. 2 option on the depth chart after the Lions selected Hockenson with the eighth overall pick in the draft a month later. Hockenson's injury clears the way for James to take on more prominence in the game plan, but the veteran most likely will provide his biggest impact as a blocker rather than a pass catcher. With nine receptions for 71 yards this season, James actually ranks third among Detroit tight ends in both categories, as Logan Thomas (11 catches for 120 yards) has seen similar involvement in the passing game, despite playing 156 fewer offensive snaps.

James was not targeted during Thursday's 24-20 loss to the Bears.

EDGE Analysis

Even with T.J. Hockenson (leg/shoulder) banged up, James still only saw about a third of the available snaps. Moreover, quarterback David Blough locked in on Hockenson from the get-go as the rookie tight end easily paced the team with 11 targets while James and Logan Thomas combined for zero. These minor responsibilities as a receiver will continue to prevent James from attaining fantasy relevance in even the deepest of fantasy leagues.

James caught his only target for seven yards during Sunday's 19-16 loss to Washington.

EDGE Analysis

Just when it looked like Logan Thomas was threatening James' role as the No. 2 tight end, starter T.J. Hockenson was a late addition to the injury report, and James consequently logged his highest snap count since Week 6. However, as usual, the 6-foot-7 blocking specialist didn't gain much in the way of receiving production, despite the return to an expanded role. No. 3 tight end Logan Thomas remains the much better bet for fantasy purposes.

James wasn't targeted during Sunday's 35-27 loss to the Cowboys.

EDGE Analysis

James logged a season-low 15 offensive snaps Sunday despite interestingly opening the game in the starting lineup alongside Logan Thomas instead of T.J. Hockenson. While Hockenson (48 out of 65 offensive snaps) ended up dusting both players for playing time anyway, Thomas (22) finished with more than a handful of snaps than James, which definitely isn't a good look for the expensive offseason acquisition. With that said, it's possible Detroit simply prefers to use the more passing-acclimated Thomas in the absence of a run game instead of the blocking-oriented James. Either way, James isn't a fantasy option.

James was unable to bring in his only target of Sunday's 20-13 loss to Chicago.

EDGE Analysis

The whole Lions offense was off-kilter as Jeff Driskel started in place of Matthew Stafford (back). It would be unfair to blame Driskel for James' poor performance, however, as the veteran tight end hasn't really been an emphasis in Detroit's attack all season. He has just one game with multiple receptions, Week 2's effort against the Chargers. Stafford's status is unclear for Sunday, but -- no matter the quarterback -- James figures to play a minor role against Dallas' sixth-ranked pass defense.

James caught one of two targets for three yards during Sunday's 31-24 loss to Oakland.

EDGE Analysis

Without running back Kerryon Johnson (knee), Detroit has gone more pass-happy over the past two games, which in turn has meant far fewer two-tight-end sets. James consequently has logged season lows in playing time in two consecutive weeks, bottoming out at 20 offensive snaps Sunday. While the 6-foot-7 blocking specialist hasn't been much of a receiving threat even when seeing up to 50 offensive snaps in a game, James is off the fantasy radar completely unless T.J. Hockenson (back) is forced to miss time, which doesn't seem likely at this point.

James caught one of four targets for seven yards during Sunday's 42-30 loss to Minnesota.

EDGE Analysis

Another week, and another game where James has done his best work as a blocker despite matching his season-high in targets. Rookie T.J. Hockenson remains the upside play among Detroit's tight ends.

James was unable to catch his lone target during Sunday's 34-30 loss to the Chiefs.

EDGE Analysis

James mostly was used to block on a day Detroit rode Kerryon Johnson to a career-high 26 carries. While he could become a bigger part of the passing game Week 6 if fellow tight end T.J. Hockenson (concussion) is unable to return to form during the Lions' Week 5 bye, Logan Thomas is another option to see increased usage after catching a season-high three passes for 25 yards Sunday.

Thomas caught his only target for a 13-yard gain in Sunday's 27-24 victory over Philadelphia.

EDGE Analysis

Through three weeks, the 6-foot-7 James has mostly served as an extension of the offensive line. He's caught the occasional pass, but T.J. Hockenson continues to seem like the upside play among Lions tight ends.