Who Should I Start? Matt Gay or Tyler Loop

Wednesday, November 19, 7:06 PM

The San Francisco 49ers signed free-agent kicker Matt Gay to their practice squad on Wednesday and released wide receiver Russell Gage Jr. from their practice squad in a corresponding move, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Eddy Pineiro (hamstring) suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain in the Week 11 win over the Arizona Cardinals and is not expected to be available to kick this coming Monday night against the Carolina Panthers. Gay was just waived by the Washington Commanders on Monday after missing two kicks in a three-point loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday in Madrid. The 31-year-old veteran looks like he'll be the 49ers' short-term replacement at place kicker with Pineiro injured, but fantasy managers should be looking to stay away. The seven-year veteran has been inconsistent, making 13 of his 19 field-goal tries in 10 games, including going 4-for-9 from 50-plus yards out.

Saturday, November 22, 12:18 PM

Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop has now finished two weeks in a row as a K1, and all signs point to him continuing that streak. The rookie made a 24, 25, and 44-yard field goal in Week 11 to go along with two extra points. Loop and the Ravens take on the New York Jets in Week 12, and they are ranked last in terms of fantasy points allowed to kickers. They give up an average of 10.6 fantasy points per contest to the position, and the Ravens offense should be able to get Loop into range quite consistently. Fantasy managers can continue to roll with Loop as a starter, especially while the offense remains on the healthier side.