Who Should I Start? George Kittle or Darnell Washington

Thursday, January 1, 6:13 PM

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (ankle) is listed as questionable for Saturday night's game against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks in Week 18, according to Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area. Kittle missed the Week 17 win over the Chicago Bears with a mid-to-low ankle sprain, but he's feeling better and said this week that he "absolutely" plans to play on Saturday as the Niners seek the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC and a bye in the first round of the playoffs. Fantasy managers will want to check back on the 32-year-old's status on Saturday, but if he's active, as expected, he needs to be locked into all starting lineups. Kittle has found the end zone seven times in 10 games played in 20225, and in the first meeting against the Seahawks on Sept. 7, he had four catches for 25 yards and his first touchdown of the year.

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.