Who Should I Start? Mike Gesicki or Ja'Tavion Sanders

Friday, October 11, 3:00 PM

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (hamstring) has been cleared to play in the Week 6 contest against the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football in Week 6. Gesicki's status for this weekend's game was in question after he didn't suit up for practice on Wednesday, but he returned a day later and was removed from the final injury report on Friday. He will officially be in play on Sunday night as a TE2 for fantasy managers in an offense with a lot of mouths to feed through the air. So far through the first five weeks of 2024, the 29-year-old has a total of 17 catches on 21 targets for 178 yards and no touchdowns. Gesicki posted season-highs in catches (seven) and receiving yards (91) back in the Week 2 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, but that was also when receiver Tee Higgins was still out with a hamstring injury. The Giants defense has yet to allow a touchdown to a tight end this year.

Sunday, October 13, 10:10 PM

Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders caught 5-of-7 targets for 49 yards in Sunday's loss to their division-rival Atlanta Falcons. It was the most productive outing of Sanders' young career thus far, and he's performed well in the stead of teammate Tommy Tremble (concussion). The rookie tight end's five targets in Week 5 were more than Tremble had racked up in any contest this season, and he might have made a case for a more prominent role even when the injured Tremble returns to the lineup. It's a case worth monitoring, though the future of this offense is murky. For now, Andy Dalton is the quarterback, but for how long has yet to be determined. The 21-year-old could be busy again in Week 7 when he lines up against a Washington Commanders squad that came into this Sunday averaging the most points in the NFL. However, he'll be tough to trust as a viable source of fantasy output, especially if Tremble is active.