Who Should I Start? Mike Evans or Ja'Marr Chase

Monday, October 13, 12:53 PM

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hoping that veteran wide receiver Mike Evans (hamstring) can return to practice this week, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. If Evans can get back on the practice field this week, it will give him a chance to return next Monday night for a Week 7 showdown against the Detroit Lions. The 32-year-old has not practiced or played since straining his hamstring in Week 3. The Bucs could really use Evans back in the fold, as rookie Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) is now set to miss time after getting hurt in the Week 6 win over the San Francisco 49ers. Veteran Chris Godwin (leg) is also expected to miss a second straight game in Week 7. If Evans cannot return to face Detroit next Monday, Tampa will be starting Sterling Shepard, Kameron Johnson, and Tez Johnson in three-wide sets. If Evans is up in the air for next Monday night, it will make for a difficult decision for fantasy managers as well.

Sunday, October 12, 9:43 PM

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase had a solid game in Week 6, his first game playing alongside new Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco. Faced with a tough matchup against the Green Bay Packers, Chase finished Week 6 with 10 catches for 94 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets. The 25-year-old now has 42 catches for 468 yards and four touchdowns on 57 targets through his first six games of 2025. After a couple of down games immediately following the Bengals' loss of starting quarterback Joe Burrow (toe), Chase has bounced back over the past two weeks. He remains a clear must-start fantasy wide receiver heading into a Week 7 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.