Who Should I Start? Deebo Samuel Sr. or Rashod Bateman

Saturday, October 25, 9:01 PM

Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. has been cleared from the injury report ahead of Monday Night Football against the Kansas City Chiefs. Samuel missed only one game due to the heel injury that he's been managing for a few weeks, and will be joined by fellow wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who returns from a four-game absence because of a quadriceps injury. Samuel has enjoyed an outstanding bounce-back season with Washington through six games, catching 34 of his 43 targets for 315 yards and three touchdowns, and has added eight rushes for 45 yards and another score on the ground. McLaurin's return could take away a few targets, but Samuel has operated as the focal point of the passing attack in his absence. He's shown more downfield ability this year and continues to be one of the best YAC threats in the league. RotoBaller ranks him as WR25 in PPR leagues for Week 8 against a Chiefs defense that has allowed the second-fewest PPR points per game to opposing wide receivers.

Saturday, October 25, 11:13 AM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman is in the midst of quite a rough fantasy season. Outside of his big game against the Detroit Lions, he's scored a total of nine fantasy points in the other five games in half-PPR formats. It turns out that when Lamar Jackson (hamstring) is hurt, there's no one to throw a deep ball to Bateman. In Week 8 against the Chicago Bears, Bateman could have his starting QB back under center with a good matchup in front of him. Nahshon Wright is likely to lineup opposite him, and he's allowed 8.6 yards per target and four touchdowns so far this year. Bateman's value is quite dependent on Jackson playing, so he'll be off the fantasy radar if the two-time MVP can't suit up.