Who Should I Start? Mike Gesicki or Stephen Carlson

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.

Saturday, September 28, 9:17 PM

The Chicago Bears placed tight end Stephen Carlson (collarbone) on injured reserve Saturday ahead of their Week 4 home matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Carlson, who was just signed from the team's practice squad this past Tuesday, suffered a serious collarbone injury during Thursday's practice and will now miss at least the next four contests. The earliest he is eligible to return will be Nov. 3 -- Chicago's Week 9 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. It's a crushing blow for the 27-year-old who was slated for his first NFL action since his time back in 2020 with the Cleveland Browns. The Bears will roll out their usual three-man tight-end rotation, with Cole Kmet set to take the majority of the snaps and Gerald Everett and Marcedes Lewis working in behind him.