Who Should I Start? Rashod Bateman or Quentin Johnston

Wednesday, November 26, 6:08 PM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (ankle) upgraded to a full practice on Wednesday and has been removed from the final injury report in Week 13, according to Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Sun. Bateman will put an end to his two-game absence due to an ankle sprain and will play against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals on Thanksgiving Day on Thursday night. The matchup against Cincy's porous defense is an excellent one for Bateman to return to, but he may not be able to take advantage of it. The 25-year-old is having another disappointing season for fantasy football purposes, having caught just 16 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns on 32 targets through nine games. At best, fantasy managers should consider Bateman to be a low-upside WR5/flex in deeper leagues in his return to Baltimore's lineup.

Friday, November 28, 5:55 PM

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston enters Week 13 after posting his second game with zero receptions in four weeks, failing to catch any of his three targets against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Johnston's production depends heavily on deep targets and red-zone opportunities, but the team's severely injured offensive line has caused quarterback Justin Herbert to average only 4.7 and 3.8 air yards per attempt in the last two games, heavily limiting the downfield opportunities Johnston needs. He will face a Las Vegas Raiders defense that mainly plays zone coverage, a scheme that doesn't favor Johnston's stronger performances against man coverage. With Keenan Allen and Ladd McConkey commanding target shares, and rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden now handling short-yardage roles, Johnston is likely the odd man out. He remains a boom-or-bust WR4, with a high reliance on touchdowns going forward.