Washington Commanders tight end John Bates was outsnapped 37 to 27 by second-year tight end Ben Sinnott in last week's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Bates has served as Washington's No. 2 TE for most of the season, primarily as a blocker. He posted his highest route share (50%) of the season in Week 15 with Zach Ertz (knee) out for the season, but that mark cratered in Week 16, falling to just 16%, his lowest since Week 2. Sinnott profiles as the better receiving option and is seeing his role increase in that area. He jumped to a season-high 56% route share last week. Bates seems to be trending back toward his typical role as the top blocking tight end and shouldn't be considered a fantasy option on Christmas Day against the Dallas Cowboys, especially considering Washington's starting QB is likely to be Josh Johnson with Marcus Mariota (hand, quadriceps) injured.
Dec 24, 2025 10:23 AM EST
Washington Commanders tight end John Bates stepped into a near full-time role last week against the New York Giants with Zach Ertz (knee) out for the year with a torn ACL. Bates played 42 of 61 snaps (69%) and ran a route on 13 of 26 dropbacks (50%) while recording one catch for 19 yards on one target. The 28-year-old has operated as Washington's top blocking tight end this season, but will take on more responsibility as a receiver with Ertz out of the picture. Bates has never been an impactful pass-catcher at the NFL level, though, with a career high of just four catches in a game, a single-game best of 46 yards, and two total touchdowns in 79 career games. He should continue to see steady playing time in Week 16 with third-string TE Colson Yankoff (ankle) also out this week, but he could cede more receiving work to second-year tight end Ben Sinnott down the stretch, given Sinnott's Day 2 draft capital and better athletic profile. Bates shouldn't be considered as a viable fantasy option for Saturday's divisional matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Dec 19, 2025 1:18 PM EST
Washington Commanders tight end John Bates has served as the team's No. 2 option behind Zach Ertz this season, primarily as a blocker. With Ertz now out for the season with a torn ACL, Bates could be in line to take on more responsibility as a receiver. However, Washington could look to keep Bates in his normal role as one of the league's best blocking tight ends, a strength that earned him a three-year, $21 million contract extension this offseason. The Commanders could rely more on 2024 second-round pick Ben Sinnott as a receiver, who has the athletic traits and yards-after-the-catch ability to step into Ertz's role as the primary receiving option at tight end. The 28-year-old Bates has played more snaps and run more routes than Sinnott and fourth-string tight end Colson Yankoff, but he's not considered a legitimate receiving threat. He's collected eight catches for 71 yards on 12 targets in 11 games this season. With Washington's tight end situation murky in the wake of Ertz's injury, Bates shouldn't be considered as a fantasy option in Week 15 against the New York Giants.
Dec 13, 2025 5:41 PM EST
Washington Commanders tight ends John Bates (shoulder) and Ben Sinnott (shoulder) were both removed from Friday's final injury report and will be available on Sunday for the NFC Championship against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles. Zach Ertz (rib) will also be active after practicing in full on Thursday and Friday, so neither Bates nor Sinnott are realistic DFS options for fantasy managers this weekend. The 27-year-old Bates has played through a shoulder injury in both postseason games but has only one catch on three targets for 20 yards to show for it. He had eight grabs on 13 targets for 84 yards and no scores in 17 regular-season games (six starts). Sinnott, meanwhile, has not even been targeted in two playoff games and caught all five of his targets for 28 yards and one touchdown in his first 17 NFL games during the regular season.
Jan 24, 2025 6:03 PM EST
Washington Commanders tight ends John Bates (shoulder) and Ben Sinnott (shoulder) were both listed as limited participants in Thursday's practice after they were both full-go in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. It's possible that both are merely being rested ahead of Sunday's NFC Championship against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles, but there statuses will become more clear on Friday. Meanwhile, fellow TE Zach Ertz (rib, rest) returned to a full practice on Thursday after picking up a DNP on Wednesday. As long as Ertz is healthy and on the field, neither Bates nor Sinnott are worth considering in fantasy playoff leagues. Bates had only eight catches on 13 targets for 84 yards and no touchdowns in 17 regular-season games, while Sinnott had five grabs for 28 yards and one score in 17 games.
Jan 23, 2025 6:31 PM EST
Washington Commanders tight end John Bates could be in store for an increased role, with Zach Ertz (concussion) listed as questionable for Sunday's divisional matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Ertz suffered this concussion last weekend and could not practice all week, which suggests he will face an uphill battle to pass the league's protocol. When filling in for Ertz last weekend, Bates brought in his lone target for six yards. Earlier this season, Bates caught six of his nine targets for 64 yards and averaged a solid 10.7 yards per reception. However, given his lack of offensive production, even in a reserve role, makes him a high-risk TE2 facing the Eagles. Fantasy managers should look for an alternative option as Bates will have a tough task ahead of him in his first start as the Eagles have allowed the fifth-fewest PPR points to the position this season.
Dec 20, 2024 7:20 PM EST
Washington Commanders tight end John Bates could be in consideration as a streamer in Week 3. In their matchup against the Buffalo Bills in Week 3, the Commanders will be without their starting tight end Logan Thomas (concussion) due to injury. That should open up the door for Bates to take advantage. With Thomas missing for a portion of Washington's Week 2 win over the Denver Broncos, the third-year pro was able to put up three catches for 46 yards. Due to the position's woeful fantasy production, it couldn't hurt to take a shot on Bates as a low-end streamer in Week 3.
Sep 22, 2023 5:03 PM EST
Washington Commanders tight end John Bates caught three-of-five targets for 46 yards in Sunday's win over the Denver Broncos. The third-year pro's involvement took a step forward in Week 2 as he saw the second-most targets on the Commanders after Terry McLaurin. With Week 3 on the way, we could see more targets coming Bates' way as Washington's starting tight end Logan Thomas exited Week 2 with a concussion. With the injury and his usage in mind, Bates could end up being a deep tight end streamer in Week 3 against the Buffalo Bills.
Sep 17, 2023 11:24 PM EST
Bates was not targeted in Sunday's 20-20 tie against the Giants.
Dec 6, 2022 5:05 PM EST
Bates caught three of four targets for 24 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 19-13 win over Atlanta.
Nov 28, 2022 12:58 PM EST
Bates failed to draw a target during Monday's 32-21 win over the Eagles.
Nov 16, 2022 9:20 AM EST
Bates caught one of two targets for five yards in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Vikings
Nov 7, 2022 2:09 PM EST
Bates played 33 percent of offensive snaps and caught his lone target for a six-yard gain in a 17-16 win over Indianapolis on Sunday.
Oct 31, 2022 6:33 AM EST
Bates wasn't targeted Sunday against the Packers, playing 23 snaps on offense (31 percent) in a 23-21 win.
Oct 24, 2022 11:24 AM EST
Bates (hamstring) is active Week 7 against Green Bay.
Oct 23, 2022 8:40 AM EST
Bates (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Green Bay, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
Oct 21, 2022 9:54 AM EST
Bates (hamstring) did not practice Thursday, ESPN's John Keim reports.
Oct 20, 2022 11:20 AM EST
Bates (hamstring) isn't practicing Wednesday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
Oct 19, 2022 10:32 AM EST
Bates (hamstring) didn't play any snaps in Thursday's game against the Bears.
Oct 14, 2022 6:42 AM EST
Bates in questionable for Thursday's game against the Bears after he suffered a hamstring injury during warmups, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official sitereports.
Oct 13, 2022 5:20 PM EST
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