Who Should I Start? John Bates or Jake Tonges

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.

Wednesday, January 21, 4:51 PM

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that tight end Jake Tonges (foot) suffered a plantar-fascia injury in the Divisional Round loss to the Seattle Seahawks last week and will need three weeks to recover, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. Before his injury on Saturday, Tonges caught five of his six targets for 59 yards, with George Kittle suffering a season-ending torn Achilles the week prior in the Wild-Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The 26-year-old saw an expanded role during the regular season, too, with Kittle missing time with injuries, and he finished with career highs across the board in catches (34), targets (46), receiving yards (293), and touchdowns (five) in 17 regular-season contests. Tonges should be fully healthy for next season, and he should be back in the Bay Area as a restricted free agent.