Who Should I Start? Sam LaPorta or Brenton Strange

Monday, October 13, 11:03 AM

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta hauled in a touchdown catch for the second straight week in Week 6 against the Kansas City Chiefs, finishing with five catches for 55 yards and a score on six targets. The 24-year-old has 26 catches for 324 yards and two touchdowns on 33 targets for the season. He's shown signs of increased usage over the past two weeks, earning 12 targets and recording 10 catches for 143 yards and two scores. LaPorta and Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams appear to be battling to be the second option in Detroit's passing game behind star wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown. Either way, fantasy managers have to be encouraged by LaPorta's production over his past two games, and he profiles as a must-start tight end heading into a Week 7 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Friday, October 10, 1:28 PM

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange (hip, quadriceps), who leads the team in catches through five weeks, is dealing with a hip and quad injury that includes a ligament tear, sources tell Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Strange suffered the injury in the Monday night win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Schultz said it's his understanding that Strange doesn't need surgery, but he will be out at least five weeks. It could have been worse, but Jacksonville is going to be without its top TE for a while. The 24-year-old was placed on Injured Reserve earlier this week, which means he'll be out at least four games. Strange was having a nice start to the year before his injury, catching 20 passes for 204 yards, although he hadn't found the end zone. In his absence, the Jags will look to both Hunter Long and Johnny Mundt for production at the TE position. Fantasy managers should be able to find better TE2 streamers elsewhere.