Who Should I Start? DeAndre Hopkins or Rashod Bateman

Tuesday, August 19, 3:32 PM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (knee) returned to training camp practice on Tuesday, according to Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Banner. Hopkins was held out of practice as a precaution on Monday and will return to the team's first padded action since the second preseason game. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Baltimore hold Nuk out of the preseason finale on Saturday against the Washington Commanders, but the 33-year-old should be ready to roll for the Week 1 regular-season clash on Sunday, Sept. 7, against the Buffalo Bills. The former first-rounder (27th overall) in 2013 by the Houston Texans out of Clemson is a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, but he had only 56 grabs for 610 yards and five touchdowns in 16 games (eight starts) with the Titans and Chiefs a year ago. In a run-first offense as likely the fourth target for QB Lamar Jackson, Hopkins will be avoided in 12-team leagues.

Monday, July 28, 4:25 PM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (illness) was sent home on Monday due to an illness, according to Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. There's no reason to think this will be a long-term absence for Bateman, but he could conceivably miss the next few days of practice as well. The 25-year-old is coming off the best season of his career in 2024 when he recorded 45 catches for 756 yards and nine touchdowns in 17 games. Baltimore added some talent to the wide receiver room with the offseason addition of DeAndre Hopkins, but Bateman still profiles as an important piece of the team's offense. The Ravens' low-volume passing offense limits Bateman's fantasy upside, but he has some boom/bust appeal as a flex option in deep leagues due to his ability to make plays down the field.