Who Should I Start? Stephen Carlson or Brayden Willis

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.

Saturday, December 27, 6:41 PM

San Francisco 49ers tight end Brayden Willis has been elevated from the practice squad ahead of the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears. The elevation of Willis is not a good sign for fellow tight end George Kittle (ankle), who is questionable for this contest. The fact that Willis was brought up means Kittle is most likely going to miss this weekend's game. If Kittle sits, Jake Tonges figures to operate as the primary tight end in this offense. Tonges posted some decent performances earlier in the season when Kittle was sidelined. He could offer some streaming appeal to tight-end-needy fantasy managers, assuming Kittle is unable to play.