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.

Wednesday, December 24, 10:23 AM

Washington Commanders tight end John Bates was outsnapped 37 to 27 by second-year tight end Ben Sinnott in last week's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Bates has served as Washington's No. 2 TE for most of the season, primarily as a blocker. He posted his highest route share (50%) of the season in Week 15 with Zach Ertz (knee) out for the season, but that mark cratered in Week 16, falling to just 16%, his lowest since Week 2. Sinnott profiles as the better receiving option and is seeing his role increase in that area. He jumped to a season-high 56% route share last week. Bates seems to be trending back toward his typical role as the top blocking tight end and shouldn't be considered a fantasy option on Christmas Day against the Dallas Cowboys, especially considering Washington's starting QB is likely to be Josh Johnson with Marcus Mariota (hand, quadriceps) injured.