Who Should I Start? Irv Smith Jr. or John Bates

Friday, April 18, 5:42 PM

The Houston Texans have re-signed tight end Irv Smith to a one-year deal on Friday. Smith spent most of the 2024 season on the practice squad in Houston. He did end up playing five games with the Texans, but didn't contribute anything on offense. The 26-year-old is a former second-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings. Smith was never really able to live up to the hype or establish himself as a starter in the NFL. He figures to serve as a backup in Houston once again which probably won't amount to much or any fantasy value.

Friday, January 24, 6:03 PM

Washington Commanders tight ends John Bates (shoulder) and Ben Sinnott (shoulder) were both removed from Friday's final injury report and will be available on Sunday for the NFC Championship against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles. Zach Ertz (rib) will also be active after practicing in full on Thursday and Friday, so neither Bates nor Sinnott are realistic DFS options for fantasy managers this weekend. The 27-year-old Bates has played through a shoulder injury in both postseason games but has only one catch on three targets for 20 yards to show for it. He had eight grabs on 13 targets for 84 yards and no scores in 17 regular-season games (six starts). Sinnott, meanwhile, has not even been targeted in two playoff games and caught all five of his targets for 28 yards and one touchdown in his first 17 NFL games during the regular season.