Who Should I Start? Ben Sinnott or Harold Fannin Jr.

Wednesday, December 24, 10:32 AM

Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott has recorded one catch in three straight games, totalling 49 yards on four targets. The second-year tight end posted season highs in snaps and routes in last week's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, playing 66.7% of the snaps with a 56% route share. He could continue to see more opportunities as a receiver moving forward with Zach Ertz (knee) out for the season. John Bates played more in the first game without Ertz in Week 15, but that usage flipped in Week 16, with Sinnott playing more snaps and running more routes. The floor is still low for the Kansas State product, but he remains an intriguing player to monitor in Thursday's Christmas Day matchup against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys have struggled to defend the pass all season, and with Sinnott's opportunities on the rise, he profiles as a deep-league dart throw as a TE2 in Week 17.

Thursday, January 1, 4:07 PM

Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (groin) missed his second straight practice on Thursday, per ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. Fannin Jr. exited early from Cleveland's Week 17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers after re-aggravating a lingering groin injury. The 21-year-old could be trending towards sitting out the Browns' Week 18 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Fannin Jr. has been arguably the most reliable pass-catcher in Cleveland so far this season, recording 72 catches for 731 yards and six touchdowns on 107 targets across 16 games played. Fellow Browns tight end David Njoku (knee) has also yet to practice this week, meaning the team may be without its top two tight ends on Sunday. If both Fannin Jr. and Njoku are inactive, Browns tight ends Blake Whiteheart, Brenden Bates, and Sal Cannella could all see an increase in playing time in Week 18.