Who Should I Start? Harrison Bryant or John Bates

Sunday, December 14, 12:51 PM

Houston Texans tight end Harrison Bryant (neck, shoulder) was activated from Injured Reserve this week and is officially active for Sunday's game against the visiting Arizona Cardinals in Week 15. Bryant will return after missing four games on IR with neck and shoulder injuries. The 27-year-old isn't a realistic fantasy option at the tight end position in his return as a backup behind Dalton Schultz. Before getting hurt, Bryant had only two receptions on six targets for seven yards in his first eight games with the Texans in 2025. He will be battling for TE2 duties the rest of the season alongside Cade Stover. If anything were to happen to Schultz, Bryant would be an option off the waiver wire as a TE2 streamer.

Saturday, December 13, 5:41 PM

Washington Commanders tight end John Bates has served as the team's No. 2 option behind Zach Ertz this season, primarily as a blocker. With Ertz now out for the season with a torn ACL, Bates could be in line to take on more responsibility as a receiver. However, Washington could look to keep Bates in his normal role as one of the league's best blocking tight ends, a strength that earned him a three-year, $21 million contract extension this offseason. The Commanders could rely more on 2024 second-round pick Ben Sinnott as a receiver, who has the athletic traits and yards-after-the-catch ability to step into Ertz's role as the primary receiving option at tight end. The 28-year-old Bates has played more snaps and run more routes than Sinnott and fourth-string tight end Colson Yankoff, but he's not considered a legitimate receiving threat. He's collected eight catches for 71 yards on 12 targets in 11 games this season. With Washington's tight end situation murky in the wake of Ertz's injury, Bates shouldn't be considered as a fantasy option in Week 15 against the New York Giants.