Who Should I Start? Brock Wright or Jake Tonges

Thursday, December 4, 6:25 PM

The Detroit Lions announced on Thursday before their game against the Dallas Cowboys that they placed tight end Brock Wright (neck) on Injured Reserve. In corresponding moves, the team signed cornerback Nick Whiteside to the 53-man active roster from the practice squad and also elevated wide receiver Malik Cunningham from the practice squad. Wright will join Sam LaPorta (back) on IR and won't be eligible to return until the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Chicago Bears on Jan. 4. With both Wright and LaPorta sidelined, Ross Dwelley figures to see the most TE snaps for the Lions, with Anthony Firkser also being involved. Both tight ends are more of blockers than pass-catchers, though, and should be avoided in most fantasy football leagues. In last week's loss to the Packers, Dwelley and Firkser combined for two catches on four targets for just seven yards.

Friday, November 7, 3:01 PM

San Francisco 49ers fourth-year tight end Jake Tonges filled in admirably while teammate George Kittle missed five games with a hamstring injury. However, since Kittle's return, Tonges has seen a total of 16 offensive snaps over the past three weeks. And while he did catch a two-yard touchdown in Week 8, it came on his lone target over that same timeframe. While Kittle has yet to top 4 targets or 45 yards since returning, Tonges no longer appears to have any role in this offense and can confidently be dropped by the select few fantasy managers who might still be holding him. Kittle remains an every-week starter, while the hope remains that the eventual return of quarterback Brock Purdy will put him right back into the weekly TE1 conversation.