Who Should I Start? Darnell Mooney or Rashod Bateman

Monday, September 29, 9:59 AM

According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (hamstring) suffered a hamstring injury Sunday in Atlanta's win. Still, with the bye coming up, he likely doesn't have to miss any games, sources say. Mooney exited Sunday's contest in the third quarter and had just one catch (on one target) for 15 yards. The Falcons have a bye week approaching in Week 5, which allows for an extra week of recovery for Mooney as the Falcons prepare to host the Buffalo Bills in Week 6. If Mooney were to miss any time, Ray-Ray McCloud, Casey Washington, David Sills, and Jamal Agnew would likely step up in Mooney's absence, although none of them should be on fantasy managers' radar at this point. Thus far this season, Mooney has disappointed a bit, with only 79 receiving yards and seven receptions in three games played.

Saturday, October 4, 2:28 PM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman had just one catch in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs, bringing his season-long totals to 10 receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown on 17 targets. Baltimore's passing game will be shorthanded in Week 5, as Cooper Rush will replace Lamar Jackson (hamstring) at quarterback in a tough matchup against the Houston Texans. Houston's defense has allowed the seventh-fewest passing yards (790) and second-fewest number of passing touchdowns (three) in the NFL. Bateman is typically reliant on downfield targets for production, which may be tough to come by with Rush under center. At best, Bateman profiles as a desperation deep-league flex option in Week 5.