Who Should I Start? Sterling Shepard or Mason Tipton

Friday, January 2, 11:40 AM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard has been completely phased out of the team's game plan with their WR corps at full strength, putting him on the back burner for fantasy. The 32-year-old was a bigger part of Tampa Bay's offense earlier in the campaign, as the receiving room dealt with a myriad of injuries. However, as veterans Mike Evans (rest) and Chris Godwin Jr., and second-year pro Jalen McMillan have returned to full health, Shepard has faded from the offense. In fact, Shepard has been a healthy scratch over the past few weeks, signaling the team's preference in the starting lineup. The Oklahoma product has been a fine secondary option over the course of his career, but he can be avoided for fantasy purposes in a loaded Bucs' pass-catching unit.

Friday, January 2, 4:15 PM

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Mason Tipton (groin) has officially been ruled out for Week 18's game against the Atlanta Falcons and will be placed on Injured Reserve, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports. Tipton's season will officially come to an end after suffering a groin injury in Week 16 versus the New York Jets, causing him to miss last week's game. The 25-year-old wideout recorded 11 receptions for 76 yards on 17 targets in 14 games this season. He saw his opportunities increase later in the season, playing 66.4% of the offensive snaps in Weeks 12-16 and collected all of his production during that span after playing only 10.5% of the snaps over the first 10 weeks of the season. With top wideout Chris Olave (illness) also ruled out, the available receivers for the Saints in Week 18 will be Kevin Austin Jr., Dante Pettis, Ronnie Bell, and Samori Toure.