Who Should I Start? Jonnu Smith or Colston Loveland

Tuesday, August 12, 6:05 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that wide receiver Calvin Austin III (abdomen) and tight end Jonnu Smith (knee) are considered day-to-day. "Hopefully they're back sooner rather than later," Tomlin said. The head coach categorized Smith's injury as knee soreness, while Austin is working through a minor abdominal issue. It remains to be seen if either play will suit up for the second preseason game on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but even if they don't, they should be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener in early September. Austin has the inside track to be the WR2 behind DK Metcalf this year, but that role is still unlikely to give the 26-year-old enough volume to make him an every-week starter in fantasy. Meanwhile, Smith lost most of his fantasy appeal in the offseason trade from Miami to Pittsburgh.

Sunday, August 10, 5:03 PM

Chicago Bears first-round tight end Colston Loveland played in the first two series in the Bears' opening preseason game, catching one of two targets for eight yards in the 24-24 tie versus the Miami Dolphins. The 10th overall pick got his first NFL action in Sunday's game with Tyson Bagent and the rest of the Bears' backups. Veteran tight end Cole Kmet is listed as the starting tight end on the Bears' unofficial depth chart and didn't see the field, which is a bit of a worrying sign for the rookie. New Bears head coach Ben Johnson has previously coordinated an offense that produced elite tight end production from Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta. Loveland will need to surpass Kmet on the depth chart and rely on Johnson's scheme and quarterback Caleb Williams' potential to match what LaPorta achieved as a rookie.