Who Should I Start? Kyle Pitts Sr. or Theo Johnson

Saturday, December 27, 4:20 PM

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. broke out over the last two weeks, combining for 18 catches on 21 targets that amounted to 223 yards and four touchdowns. He's now the second-highest scoring tight end in fantasy, and is arguably Kirk Cousins' favorite target since taking over for Michael Penix Jr. (knee). Drake London (knee) returned to action last week, but Pitts recorded more targets, catches, and yards than London as the team's No. 1 receiver played just 69 percent of the offensive snaps. London has been limited in practice all week and is officially questionable for MNF, while Pitts was a limited participant on Friday and Saturday, but carries no injury designation into the Week 17 contest. Assuming Pitts suits up, he'll take a Rams defense that is so-so defending tight ends, but it's also a defense that's yielded the second-most passing yards per game over their last three contests (277.7) and allowed Seattle's TE AJ Barner to catch four passes for 49 yards and a score in Week 16. The 6-foot-6 tight end projects as a high-end TE1 for Monday Night Football, and if London were to end up missing the game, it would be a boon to Pitts' potential target total.

Saturday, December 27, 1:04 PM

New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (illness) has ruled out for his team's Week 17 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders due to an illness. Johnson was a late addition to the injury report on Friday, and he will not travel with the team to Las Vegas. The 24-year-old has functioned as the Giants' TE1 all season long, recording 45 receptions for 528 yards and five touchdowns on 74 targets across 15 games. He's played at least 70% of New York's offensive snaps in every game in 2025. In his absence, Daniel Bellinger will likely step in as the lead receiving tight end for the Giants. Bellinger has hauled in 15 catches for 237 yards and a touchdown on 21 targets across 14 games so far this season. Despite the improved playing time outlook, he profiles as a risky start for fantasy managers in Week 17.