Who Should I Start? Marquise Brown or Rashod Bateman

Wednesday, August 13, 3:28 PM

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown (foot/ankle) will not play on Friday in the team's second preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks. The former Baltimore Raven and Arizona Cardinal has been out of action for the last two weeks after suffering foot and ankle injuries. Unfortunately, injuries have become a common theme for Brown since he left Baltimore via trade. After missing eight games in two seasons with the Cardinals, he missed 15 games in his first season with Kansas City a year ago. "Hollywood" has tantalizing big-play upside and speed that could fit perfectly with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, but his inability to stay on the field is becoming a significant concern. Fantasy managers considering drafting him in the later rounds should continue to monitor his status ahead of the thick of fantasy draft season.

Monday, July 28, 4:25 PM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (illness) was sent home on Monday due to an illness, according to Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. There's no reason to think this will be a long-term absence for Bateman, but he could conceivably miss the next few days of practice as well. The 25-year-old is coming off the best season of his career in 2024 when he recorded 45 catches for 756 yards and nine touchdowns in 17 games. Baltimore added some talent to the wide receiver room with the offseason addition of DeAndre Hopkins, but Bateman still profiles as an important piece of the team's offense. The Ravens' low-volume passing offense limits Bateman's fantasy upside, but he has some boom/bust appeal as a flex option in deep leagues due to his ability to make plays down the field.