Who Should I Start? Michael Pittman Jr. or Rashod Bateman

Tuesday, August 5, 1:52 PM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (groin) is back at the team's training camp practice on Tuesday, per Jake Arthur of Sports Illustrated. Pittman suffered a minor groin injury at practice last Tuesday and was held out as a precaution for a week. The 27-year-old will now return to practice, although there's a good chance we won't see him in the team's preseason opener this Thursday against the Baltimore Ravens. There's no concern that he won't be ready for Week 1 of the regular season in early September, where he should once again be the team's WR1 for either quarterbacks Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson Sr. Josh Downs was more involved in the offense a year ago, which contributed to Pittman only going for 808 yards (fewest since his rookie season) and only three TDs in 2024. Indy's QB situation doesn't exactly make Pittman an intriguing WR4/flex target in fantasy.

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.