Who Should I Start? Tyler Conklin or Stephen Carlson

Thursday, January 2, 10:13 AM

New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (calf) did not practice with the rest of the team on Wednesday. Conklin apparently picked up a calf injury in the Week 17 loss to the division-rival Buffalo Bills in which he had one of his best showings of the season. The 29-year-old caught all eight of his targets for 57 yards and a touchdown, but now his availability will be in question heading into the regular-season finale in Week 18 versus the division-rival Miami Dolphins. If Conklin is unable to get back on the practice field this week, the Jets would have more playing time available for tight ends Jeremy Ruckert and Kenny Yeboah, although neither player would excite fantasy managers setting DFS lineups. In his third year with the Jets in 2024, Conklin has barely moved the fantasy needle, catching 49 passes for 433 yards and three touchdowns on 69 targets in 15 games.

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.