Who Should I Start? Stephen Carlson or Colby Parkinson

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.

Friday, December 13, 12:50 PM

Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson caught two of his five targets for 21 yards during their victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night. Parkinson's five targets and 21 yards were the second-most on the team. Over his previous four games leading up to Thursday, Parkinson caught just one pass in each contest and never surpassed 20 receiving yards. With 31-year-old Tyler Higbee (knee) nearing a return to action, fantasy managers should expect Parkinson to soon revert to the No.2 role on the depth chart. Next weekend, Parkinson will face the New York Jets, who have allowed the seventh-fewest PPR points to opposing tight ends. If he is given another start, he should be viewed as a low-end TE2, given his low target share.