Who Should I Start? Ka'imi Fairbairn or Tyler Bass

Thursday, November 13, 3:06 PM

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said on Thursday that kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn (quadriceps) has been ruled out for the Week 11 divisional game on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. Fairbairn injured his quad in the Week 9 loss to the Denver Broncos and will now miss a second straight game. The Texans have a quick turnaround next week with a game on Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills, so it's possible the 31-year-old veteran won't be ready for that one, either. Matthew Wright filled in for Fairbairn in the Week 10 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars and made his only field-goal attempt and his only extra-point try in the 36-29 victory. The 29-year-old should be in store for a better day in a cushy matchup against the Titans this weekend, but at best, he's a deep-league streaming option at the kicking position in fantasy.

Thursday, October 9, 12:55 PM

While Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott remained non-committal on whether kicker Tyler Bass (groin, hip) would be able to play this season, he did say that he is "heading in the right direction," according to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic. Bass remains on Injured Reserve, and the Bills didn't feel comfortable opening his 21-day practice window this week, which means he will not be ready to return for Monday night's contest in Week 7 against the Atlanta Falcons. The Bills probably aren't in any rush to bring the 28-year-old Bass back, with veteran Matt Prater being a reliable fill-in through the first five weeks of 2025. Prater has gone 10-for-15 on his field-goal chances while making all 15 of his extra-point opportunities for the 4-1 Bills. When/if Bass is fully healthy and ready to resume kicking, he should take back over as Buffalo's starting placekicker.