Not used in passing game

Dickson didn't receive a target in Sunday's win over the 49ers.

Analysis: Dickson didn't seen more than two targets in his first five games back from a quadriceps injury, so this slip in the stat line isn't surprising. He'll square up against a tough Vikings defense, which has allowed just three touchdowns to tight ends, in Week 14.

Bottled up by former team

Dickson hauled in both targets for 13 yards in Sunday's win over the Panthers.

Analysis: Dickson was held under 15 receiving yards for the second straight game, this time by the team he spent the previous four seasons with. The veteran tight end has just seven targets in five games since returning from a quadriceps injury, so his fantasy value is minimal.

Scores second TD

Dickson's only target Thursday night against the Packers resulted in a 15-yard game-winning TD in his team's 27-24 victory.

Analysis: Since his return from a quad injury, Dickson has totaled five targets in four games, en route to hauling in four catches for 93 yards. While two of those catches have gone for touchdowns, his low volume makes him a hit-or-miss fantasy play, especially while sharing tight end work with Nick Vannett, who out-snapped Dickson by a 42-30 count Thursday.

Receives one target

Dickson caught his only target for 24 yards in Sunday's 36-31 loss to the Rams.

Analysis: Since returning from the NFI list in Week 8, Dickson has been targeted just four times in three games, but two of those came in the red zone. He's not a dependable fantasy option at this time, especially in Week 11 against the Packers, who haven't allowed a touchdown to a tight end this year.

Hauls in TD pass

Dickson brought in both of his targets for 54 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 28-14 win over the Lions.

Analysis: It was a nice debut for Dickson, who missed the previous six games while on the reserve/non-football injury list. He made an excellent 12-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter and snagged a 42-yarder in the third frame. Starting tight end Nick Vannett was targeted more (three), but Dickson could take over the top spot with a few more solid outings.

Set for team debut

Dickson (quadriceps) will play Sunday versus the Lions, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Analysis: Dickson has played second fiddle in Carolina the last four years, and he signed with the Seahawks in the offseason in hopes of making a heightened impact. With rookie tight end Will Dissly (kneecap) out for the season, Dickson will split time with Nick Vannett. The volume isn't guaranteed for Dickson, so he's likely a touchdown-dependent fantasy option. In his eight-year career, Dickson has just one season with more than two touchdowns.

Returns to active roster

Dickson (quadriceps) was activated off the reserve/non-football injury list Saturday, Curtis Crabtree of Sports Radio 950 KJR Seattle reports.

Analysis: Dickson was a full practice participant Thursday and Friday, clearing the way for his return against the Lions on Sunday. The 31-year-old could provide an immediate boost to the Seahawks' passing game that has been searching for answers at tight end since Will Dissly was lost for the season due to a knee injury.

Cleared to return

Dickson (quadriceps) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game at Detroit, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Analysis: Dickson followed Wednesday's limited practice with a full session Thursday, setting him up to make his Seahawks debut Sunday in Detroit. He could have an immediate role in the passing game, considering Russell Wilson hasn't gotten much help from his tight ends since Will Dissly suffered a season-ending knee injury. Nick Vannett has produced just 9.2 yards per catch and 6.1 per target, without any touchdowns among his 12 receptions. The Seahawks presumably will remove Dickson from the…read more

Puts in full practice

Dickson (quadriceps) was a full participant in practice Thursday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Analysis: Dickson remains on the Seahawks' reserve/Non-Football Injury list, but his advancement to full practice participation suggests he'll likely be added to the 53-man roster by the time Sunday's game in Detroit arrives. What's less clear at this point is how sizable of a role Dickson might have in that contest after missing the entire preseason in addition to the Seahawks' first six regular-season contests. Seattle will likely have the luxury of easing Dickson into the offense if it so chooses with…read more

Limited in return to practice

Dickson (quadriceps) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Analysis: Dickson resumed practicing Monday when the Seahawks came out of a bye week, potentially setting himself up to be removed from the Non-Football Injury list at some point in the next few days. Per Brady Henderson of ESPN.com, coach Pete Carroll said he anticipates Dickson being available for Sunday's game in Detroit. The 31-year-old tight end could hop right in with a significant role, especially if Nick Vannett (back) is absent or limited due to his own injury. Dickson will probably need to turn…read more

Returns to practice Monday

Dickson (quadriceps) returned to practice Monday, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Analysis: With Dickson back on the practice field, the Seahawks can activate him to the 53-man roster at any point. Depending on how his quad holds up in practice this week, he may make an appearance in Sunday's game in Detroit. Dickson's services would be welcome, especially if tight end Nick Vannett's back injury is still a bother.

May be cleared to return Week 8

Coach Pete Carroll said Dickson (quadriceps) has "a chance" to make his season debut Week 8 in Detroit, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Dickson didn't make an appearance during the preseason and suffered a setback with his quadriceps injury in late August, resulting in his placement on the reserve/non-football injury list on Sept. 1. After spending the first six weeks of the season focusing on rehab, he's in line to return after the Seahawks' Week 7 bye. The tight-end room in Seattle also lost promising rookie Will Dissly for the season due to a patella tendon injury and didn't have Nick Vannett (back) available Week 6, so…read more

Still on track for Week 7

Dickson (quadriceps, groin) remains on track to return Week 7 when he's first eligible to be removed from the non-football injury list, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Analysis: Will Dissly (knee) is expected to miss the rest of the season, leaving Nick Vannett as the only healthy tight end on Seattle's 53-man roster. The team surely will add another body in the meantime, but the situation bodes well for Dickson to eventually earn a sizable role. Vannett has caught nine of 14 targets for 67 yards in four games, displaying minimal upside in the passing game.

Should return Week 7

Dickson (quadriceps, groin) is expected to return Week 7 after his six-week stint on the non-football injury list is completed, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Analysis: Dickson has yet to play a snap for the Seahawks in an exhibition or regular-season game. In Dickson's absence, quarterback Russell Wilson has turned to rookie Will Dissly, who has a 7-151-2 line through three games, and Nick Vannett. When Dickson returns, he shouldn't be scooped up in fantasy settings, as the ninth-year pro has just six touchdowns over the last six seasons.

Remains on NFI list

The Seahawks' decision to keep Dickson (quadriceps, groin) on the non-football injury list will require him to miss at least the team's first six games, ESPN's Brady Henderson reports.

Analysis: After signing a three-year deal with Seattle worth $10.7 million, Dickson was viewed as the team's presumed starting tight end. In his absence, however, Nick Vannett is in line to serve as the team's No. 1 option at the position, with fourth-rounder Will Dissly also expected to factor in out of the gate.

Going on reserve/NFI list

The Seahawks are placing Dickson (quadriceps, groin) on the reserve/non-football injury list, Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Analysis: Coach Pete Carroll recently revealed that Dickson suffered a setback in his rehabilitation from groin and quadriceps injuries that forced him to the NFI list to kick off training camp. No matter how long his recovery lasts, the Seahawks are entering the season with Nick Vannett at the top of the tight end depth chart.

Suffered setback

Coach Pete Carroll acknowledged Wednesday that Dickson (quad/groin) has dealt with a setback during his rehab process, the Seahawks' official website reports. "(Dickson) had an issue coming back where something else got aggravated, so it exacerbated the problem of just returning where he can get in shape and all that," Carroll said. "We'll go at it, really a couple days at a time here to see how he does."

Analysis: This may explain why Dickson's injury has been reported as both a quad and groin issue. Whatever the case, the 31-year-old tight end has been on the non-football injury list since the beginning of training camp while Nick Vannett has operated as Seattle's top tight end. Dickson doesn't seem to have much shot at being ready for Week 1, and he may only be second on the depth chart whenever he's available to play.

Still up in the air

Coach Pete Carroll declined to comment on Dickson (quad) when asked about the tight end during Monday's media session, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Analysis: Signed to a three-year, $10.7 million contract in March, the 31-year-old tight end hasn't practiced since the offseason program. Carroll said last week that Dickson still had a shot to be ready for Week 1, but it becomes less and less likely with each passing day. Nick Vannett figures to enter the season as Seattle's top tight end, with fourth-round rookie Will Dissly potentially handling the No. 2 role.

Not ruled out for opener

Dickson (quad) still has a shot to be ready for Week 1 against the Broncos, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Analysis: Following last week's comment that Dickson wasn't making much progress, coach Pete Carroll sounded a bit more optimistic Tuesday, saying he's still hopeful of having the veteran tight end ready for Week 1. With Dickson on the non-football injury list for all of training camp, Nick Vannett has gone unchallenged as the Seahawks' top tight end. Dickson may end up with the No. 2 spot on the depth chart even if he does make it back at some point in September.

Not making progress

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Dickson isn't making much progress in his recovery from a quadriceps injury, Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Analysis: Dickson has been on the non-football injury list for all of training camp with what was initially reported as a groin injury. It turns out he's actually dealing with a quad issue, but the bigger takeaway is that he doesn't seem to be nearing a return to practice. Nick Vannett is working as the No. 1 tight end in Dickson's absence, notably catching two of three targets for 20 yards and a touchdown (all on the opening drive) during last week's preseason opener against the Colts. Dickson may find…read more

Starts camp on NFI list

Dickson (groin) will be placed on the Non-Football Injury list for the beginning of training camp, Derek Lewis of 247 Sports reports.

Analysis: After initially being reported that Dickson would miss time to start camp, it's now clear that Dickson's injury is significant enough to warrant him being kept off the 90-man roster for the time being. The setback will mean the potential Week 1 starter doesn't have a chance to solidify a role for himself early on, opening the door for Nick Vannett or Will Dissly to work their way up the depth chart the next couple weeks.

Dealing with groin injury

Dickson will miss some time during training camp due to a groin injury, Curtis Crabtree of Sports Radio 950 KJR Seattle reports.

Analysis: Dickson projects to be one of the Seahawks' top tight ends in 2018, but he'll miss some valuable time in what is his first training camp with the team. It doesn't appear as though he'll miss significant time with the injury, but he currently is without a concrete return timetable.

Dickson is joining the Seahawks on a three-year contract that has a maximum value of $14 million, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: With Jimmy Graham off to Green Bay and Luke Willson still unsigned, the Seahawks need to replace their top two tight ends from the past three seasons. Dickson primarily served as a blocker while playing all 64 regular-season games during his four-year stint in Carolina, but he did show a bit of receiving ability last season when Greg Olsen missed nine games with a foot injury, memorably exploding for 175 yards Week 5 in Detroit. Dickson nonetheless finished the year with only 30 catches for 437…read more

Dickson finished with 30 receptions (on 47 targets) for 437 yards and a touchdown in 16 games played this season.

Analysis: Dickson went for more yardage than in his previous three seasons with the Panthers combined, making for his second-best overall campaign since entering the league in 2010. The 30-year-old's uptick largely came as a result of starter Greg Olsen missing nine games due to injury. Furthermore, most of Dickson's damage was done in one game -- his five-catch, 175-yard shredding of the Lions in Week 5. Although context is needed to explain his success, Dickson's improvement couldn't have come at a…read more

Dickson will settle back into a reserve role at tight end Sunday against the Vikings with Greg Olsen (foot) cleared to return to the lineup, Jared Allen of the Panthers' official site reports.

Analysis: Olsen's eight-game absence due to a fractured right foot has allowed Dickson to gain more traction in the passing game during his fourth season in Carolina, with the 30-year-old most notably breaking out for a five-catch, 175-yard outing against the Lions on Oct. 8. Dickson's production has tailed off precipitously since then, but after ceding the starting role to Olsen when the latter was activated ahead of Week 12, Dickson settled back in as the top tight end in last week's loss to the Saints…read more

Dickson caught both his targets for 18 yards in Sunday's 31-21 loss to the Saints.

Analysis: Dickson got the start at tight end with Greg Olsen (foot) back on the sideline, but the veteran couldn't get much going. Although he hauled in the only two looks that went his way, Dickson hasn't topped 40 yards since his Week 5 outburst and will be even less likely to do so once Olsen is consistently available again.

Dickson is expected to start in place of the inactive Greg Olsen (foot) on Sunday at New Orleans.

Analysis: In nine starts during Olsen's time on injured reserve, Dickson caught at least three passes six times, surpassed 30 yards on four occasions and scored one touchdown. While not overly impressive, Dickson could be a decent fill-in versus a Saints defense that has given up three tight-end TDs over the last four games.

Dickson is expected to serve as the Panthers' starting tight end Sunday against the Saints with Greg Olsen (foot), who is listed as questionable for the contest, appearing unlikely to play, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: While Olsen avoided structural damage to his surgically repaired right foot upon returning from an eight-game absence last week, he exited the Panthers' win over the Jets early while experiencing soreness and will likely be held out while the team plans on turf in New Orleans on Sunday. That should pave the way for Dickson to resurface as a key part in the Panthers' passing attack, which had been the case while Olsen was sidelined. During Olsen's eight-game absence, Dickson corralled 23 of 35…read more

Dickson caught one of three targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 35-27 win over the Jets.

Analysis: Dickson's reception saw him top Greg Olsen's one for 10 yards, and although Olsen was forced to withdraw early from his return from a foot injury, if Carolina's top tight end is able to shake off the rust, Dickson figures to slide down the pecking order in the coming weeks.

Dickson is expected to notice a reduced role in Sunday's game against the Jets with fellow tight end Greg Olsen (foot) on track to return from injured reserve, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.

Analysis: Dickson enjoyed a few big moments in Olsen's absence, most notably a 175-yard explosion in a Week 5 win over the Lions. He piled up more yards in that one game than he had in any of his three previous seasons in Carolina, during which he had been limited to a blocking role while Olsen remained relatively healthy. Dickson's solid work this season might push him out of Carolina's price range in the offseason, though his overall track record suggests he'll probably struggle to draw interest from…read more

Dickson nabbed three of five targets for 33 yards and a touchdown in Monday's 45-21 win over Miami.

Analysis: Dickson leaped for a seven-yard touchdown reception on a quick slant just before the half during Monday's game, his first score of the season. Week 5's explosion against Detroit aside, Dickson has been solid but unspectacular this season as he has seen an uptick in usage with Greg Olsen (foot) on the shelf. Those opportunities seem to be coming to an end with Olsen reportedly expected back for Week 12's game against the Jets.