Who Should I Start? Mike Gesicki or Theo Johnson

Wednesday, November 12, 2:26 PM

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (pectoral) has been making positive progress in his recovery from a pectoral injury suffered in Week 6 against the Green Bay Packers. Gesicki was placed on Injured Reserve following that game and is now entering the fourth game he was required to miss on IR, but should have a good chance of returning in Week 12 versus the Patriots. The 30-year-old was having a quiet start to the year before going down, catching eight of 16 targets for 61 yards in six games. Noah Fant has mostly filled in as the Bengals' tight end with Gesicki sidelined, and he's been a solid contributor, recording 13 catches for 140 yards and two touchdowns since Week 6. Fant will again be a low-end streaming option for fantasy managers in Week 11 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Saturday, November 15, 10:23 AM

New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson should earn increased opportunities in Week 11 with wide receiver Darius Slayton (hamstring) sidelined. Johnson will likely serve as Jameis Winston's No. 2 target behind Wan'Dale Robinson on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. He occupied a similar role last week; as Slayton missed part of the game due to injury, Johnson stepped up with a 97 percent snap share, eight targets, seven catches, and 75 yards. He has emerged as the overall TE13 in PPR leagues during his second pro season, and he has a good chance at cracking the top-12 with his increased workload this week. Managers should feel very comfortable starting Johnson, especially against a Packers defense allowing the seventh-most receptions and ninth-most touchdowns to opposing tight ends in 2025.