Who Should I Start? Brock Bowers or Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Monday, September 15, 8:47 PM

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) is officially active for Monday night's divisional clash in Sin City against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. Bowers suffered a knee injury in the Week 1 win over the New England Patriots and was listed as questionable for Week 2 on Saturday's final injury report. The 22-year-old second-year tight end will be wearing a brace on his left knee against the Bolts and shouldn't be limited, so fantasy managers who rolled the dice on him on Monday night will have him available. If Bowers is limited at all, it will open up more opportunities for fellow TE Michael Mayer, who is more than capable of having a decent game for any tight end streamers. Bowers had five catches for 105 yards in the season opener before injuring his knee, and he's already one of the best TEs in football in his sophomore campaign.

Friday, September 12, 9:26 PM

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt is expected to step in as the Washington Commanders' starter following the devastating Achilles injury to Austin Ekeler in Thursday night's 27-18 loss to Green Bay. Croskey-Merritt has flashed efficiency early, posting 14 carries for 99 yards and a touchdown through two games despite playing fewer than 33% of the snaps. With only Jeremy McNichols currently active alongside him, the rookie should handle the bulk of early-down rushing duties, while McNichols sees work in passing situations. Chris Rodriguez Jr., a healthy scratch in the first two games, is also a candidate to be active moving forward. While Croskey-Merritt entered the season as a deep sleeper, he suddenly finds himself in line for a heavy workload. He's now an important fantasy asset with starting potential for the remainder of the 2025 season.