Who Should I Start? John Bates or Luke Musgrave


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
1.9 0.0 0.0 0.8 7.4 0.1

John Bates News

John Bates Not a Fantasy Option in Week 17

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.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
2.9 0.0 0.0 1.3 13.0 0.1

Luke Musgrave News

Luke Musgrave Suffers Undisclosed Injury

Wednesday, June 10, 8:06 PM

Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave (undisclosed) suffered an undisclosed injury during offseason practice on Tuesday, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Head coach Matt LaFleur wouldn't specify Musgrave's injury, but he was on the treadmill in the rehab area to start Wednesday's practice. With training camp still over a month away, the Packers aren't going to push the 25-year-old in practice in early June. The former second-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft out of Oregon State became an interesting waiver-wire pickup in fantasy leagues when Tucker Kraft (knee) suffered a season-ending torn ACL last year, but unfortunately, Musgrave never became a big part of the Packers' passing attack and finished with only 24 receptions on 31 targets for 252 yards and no touchdowns in 17 games (10 starts). Kraft is tracking toward being ready for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season this fall, so Musgrave will merely be battling for a backup role at TE in Green Bay this summer.


John Bates vs. Luke Musgrave

Still trying to decide between Bates and Musgrave? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that John Bates is projected to score 1.9 points this week while Luke Musgrave is projected to score 2.9 points.