Ladarius Green

ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting the Pittsburgh Steelers have released tight end Ladarius Green with a failed physical designation.

Fantasy Impact

After one disappointing, injury-plagued season in Pittsburgh, the Steelers are moving on from Green. The veteran tight end battled ankle and lingering symptoms of a head injury since signing with the club last offseason, which led to his release. Jesse James is expected to step into Green's role as Pittsburgh's No. 1 tight end for the 2017 season.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler is reporting Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Ladarius Green (concussion) is participating in phase two of the team's offseason program.

Fantasy Impact

Green, who missed 10 games in 2016 as a result of ankle and lingering head injuries, is participating in phase two of the Steelers' offseason program. His status was in question as he remained in the league's concussion protocol well into the offseason. If Green returns to full health, expect him to enter 2017 as Pittsburgh's top tight end with Jese James at the two spot. View Green as a rising TE2 entering fantasy draft prep season.

Pittsburgh Steelers beat writer Ed Bouchette believes the team will retain tight end Ladarius Green in 2017. "The decision, I believe, has been made," Bouchette said via Steelers chat. "He is on their roster and will remain there. No reason for them not to bring him back. His health will determine what happens from there."

Fantasy Impact

Shortly following Pittsburgh's elimination from the 2016-2017 playoffs, Bouchette strongly believed that the team would part ways with Green this offseason due to his injury concerns. However, the beat reporter's sentiments have since changed. He now feels that they will retain Green. If Green is, in fact, on Pittsburgh's roster at the start of 2017, and his health is intact, expect the injury-plagued tight end to enter the new season as the starter. As much as the Steelers have praised Jesse James' play, Green presents a better threat from the pass-catching standpoint. He is a matchup nightmare for the opposing defense due to his size and speed.

Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II told the media tight end Ladarius Green "has some 'physical conditions' the team needs to evaluate" before committing to his future with the club.

Fantasy Impact

As it has been for most of January, Green's future in Pittsburgh is in extreme doubt. Injuries, more so concussions, are what must be addressed by the team before they make a determination on his future with the club. He only played in six games in 2016, his first season with the Steelers, due to head injuries and an ankle. If Green is released this offseason, the Steelers would likely enter 2017 with Jesse James as their starting tight end.

Pittsburgh Steelers beat writer Ed Bouchette does not expect the team to retain tight end Ladarius Green for 2017.

Fantasy Impact

For the second time this week, Bouchette suggested that Green's tenure in Pittsburgh could come to an end after one disappointing season. "His headaches and concussion issues make his future cloudy and the Steelers cannot count on him for 2017," Bouchette said via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Hampered by concussion and ankle issues, Green only appeared in six regular season games for the Steelers in 2016 -- posting an 18-304-1 stat line.