Who Should I Start? Jason Sanders or Jake Bates

Wednesday, October 8, 12:35 PM

Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders (hip) is not ready to return for a Week 6 contest this Sunday against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers, according to head coach Mike McDaniel. Sanders remains on Injured Reserve and has yet to kick in 2025 due to his hip injury. His next chance to make his season debut will come next week when the team travels to Cleveland to take on the Browns. Riley Patterson should handle the kicking duties in Miami for at least another week. The 26-year-old has been perfect through five games, filling in for Sanders, but the problem is that he hasn't had much volume for fantasy purposes. He's gone 5-for-5 on his field-goal tries, including four makes from 40-49 yards out, and 12-for-12 on his extra-point opportunities. Patterson has been money so far, but fantasy managers should have better streaming options in Week 6 at kicker.

Friday, October 10, 6:22 PM

Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates has made six of his eight field goal attempts so far this season and has not yet missed an extra-point try. Playing for a Lions team that has averaged 34.8 points per game, Bates currently leads the NFL in extra-point attempts for the second straight season. The 26-year-old will face the Kansas City Chiefs on the road in Week 6. Kansas City is allowing an average of 21.4 points per contest, so this could be a more difficult game for Detroit to put up points. Still, Bates profiles as a low-end starting kicker option in Week 6.