Who Should I Start? Rashod Bateman or Rome Odunze

Sunday, December 14, 12:13 PM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (ankle) is officially inactive on Sunday against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals. Bateman was a mid-week addition to the Ravens' Week 15 injury report and will now sit out a crucial divisional clash this weekend. The 26-year-old had the best year of his NFL career in 2024, but he has not continued that momentum into 2025, as he's caught just 18 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns on 35 targets through 11 games this year. His absence against a porous Bengals defense will create more opportunities for veteran DeAndre Hopkins, who won't be a terrible sleeper choice as a WR4/flex in Week 15. Bateman was limited in Thursday's practice before sitting out on Friday. It remains to be seen if he'll be ready to return in Week 16 against the New England Patriots. He is currently rostered in only 14% of Yahoo leagues.

Tuesday, December 16, 6:12 PM

The Chicago Bears listed wide receiver Rome Odunze (foot) as a non-participant on Tuesday's estimated injury report, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Rookie Luther Burden III (ankle) was also a DNP. Odunze has missed the last two games due to a stress reaction in his foot, and head coach Ben Johnson said all options are on the table regarding Odunze going forward. It sounds as though he'll miss a third straight game this Saturday night against the division-rival Green Bay Packers, and he could be shut down for the final three weeks so he's ready to go for the postseason. Fantasy managers should be preparing as if the 23-year-old won't be active in Week 16. Burden will be an intriguing upside flex play against Green Bay if he's active and Odunze misses another game. Odunze had a promising start to Year 2, scoring five times in the first four weeks, but he's scored just once since then and is now battling injury.