Who Should I Start? Chase McLaughlin or Jake Bates

Thursday, September 5, 4:26 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin (abdomen) was upgraded to a full participant in practice on Thursday, according to Brianna Dix. McLaughlin missed practice on Wednesday due to an abdomen injury and an illness. However, seeing him return to full participation the following day is a great sign for his status in the season opener on Sunday afternoon. The 28-year-old enjoyed a great season in Tampa Bay last fall, hitting 93.5% of his attempts and a stellar 7-for-8 from outside 50 yards. DFS players should consider placing McLaughlin in their lineup as he will face the Washington Commanders, who surrendered the most total yards in the league last season.

Sunday, August 11, 9:14 AM

Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates "had a rotten day [on a Friday in early August], missing at least a half-dozen field goals," according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com, who attended training camp that day. (It bears mentioning that he converted his lone attempt in Week 1 of the preseason from 53 yards out.) Bates latched on with the Lions after an impressive run in the UFL, and while he's currently Detroit's only kicker, the team could look to bring in competition or a replacement. As Graziano writes, "It doesn't sound like this was a new problem, and you wonder if the Lions will end up looking elsewhere for their kicker before camp is out." Randy Bullock is the consensus top kicker available in free agency at the moment, but that could change as teams shake up their rosters over the next few weeks.