Who Should I Start? Darnell Washington or Theo Johnson

Sunday, December 14, 12:19 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (concussion) has been cleared from the league's concussion protocol and has been upgraded to active for the Monday night contest against the visiting Miami Dolphins to close out Week 15 action, according to director of communications Burt Lauten. Washington was initially listed as questionable on the team's final injury report on Saturday, but he has since been cleared by an independent neurologist and will play against Miami. The 6-foot-7, 264-pounder should be treated as TE3 in fantasy despite his growing role in recent weeks. Washington has caught five of his seven targets for 79 yards in the last three games, but having to contend for targets with fellow TEs Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith every week makes him too hard to trust as a starter in fantasy.

Monday, December 15, 11:00 PM

Across 14 games this season, New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson has recorded 45 receptions for 528 yards and five touchdowns on 72 targets. While the 24-year-old has yet to demonstrate explosive upside, he's been highly consistent. Johnson has recorded exactly three catches in seven of his last eight games and double-digit PPR fantasy points in six out of his last eleven contests. Johnson has also dominated tight end snaps in New York this season, playing 80% or more of the team's offensive snaps in 12 out of 14 weeks. The Giants will host the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16 before a more favorable matchup in Week 17 in Las Vegas against the Raiders. In fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams, Johnson could be worth targeting as a streaming option off the waiver wire at the tight end position.