Who Should I Start? Jonnu Smith or Mike Gesicki

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.

Tuesday, August 5, 12:32 PM

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (undisclosed) will not play in the preseason opener on Thursday against the Philadelphia Eagles due to an undisclosed injury, according to Ben Baby of ESPN. Gesicki said he'd be questionable but optimistic if it was a game week during the regular season. The Bengals will play their starters for a little bit on Thursday, but Gesicki won't be included while he manages what is likely a minor injury. The 29-year-old appeared to injure his leg during a scrimmage over the weekend on Saturday, but fantasy managers will want to check back for more updates on Gesicki. Hopefully, he's back on the field again sooner than later. A longer than expected absence would open up more playing time for new TE Noah Fant. When healthy, Gesicki is merely a low-end TE2 in fantasy while being overshadowed by bit-time receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.