Who Should I Start? Darnell Washington or Sam LaPorta

Tuesday, December 30, 1:20 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (forearm) had surgery on his broken forearm on Tuesday morning and will not play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, according to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. Head coach Mike Tomlin said he has "some level of optimism for everyone else." The expectation was that Washington would not play after he broke his arm in the Week 17 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Not only will the 24-year-old not be available for the winner-take-all game this Sunday night against the Ravens, but Washington is unlikely to be able to return for the playoffs if the Steelers take care of business this weekend. It means that Pat Freiermuth will become a slightly more attractive TE streamer in fantasy, as will Jonnu Smith. Washington's third season in the NFL will finish with 31 catches for 364 yards and a touchdown in 16 games.

Wednesday, December 31, 4:24 PM

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday that he hopes tight end Sam LaPorta (back) will be ready by training camp next summer, according to Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News. LaPorta wouldn't have been able to return for the playoffs if the Lions had made it, with Campbell adding, "he's improving, but yet he's not completely healed." The 24-year-old tight end underwent surgery after injuring his back in Detroit's Week 10 win over the Washington Commanders. The Iowa product was in the midst of another great season before going down, hauling in 40 of his 49 targets for 489 yards and three touchdowns. LaPorta should be close to fully recovered by training camp and will again profile as a borderline top-five tight end option in fantasy football for 2026.