Who Should I Start? Tyler Higbee or Mike Gesicki

Wednesday, December 31, 4:48 PM

The Los Angeles Rams have designated tight end Tyler Higbee (ankle) to return from Injured Reserve. Higbee was placed on IR after sustaining an ankle injury in Week 11 against the Seattle Seahawks, but he will now return to practice and will have a chance to return for the regular-season finale against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 18. Before his injury, the 33-year-old played a limited role in the Rams' offense, catching 20 of his 30 targets for 190 yards and two touchdowns in nine games. Colby Parkinson benefited the most from Higbee's absence, totalling 24 receptions for 249 yards and four touchdowns over the past six games. Higbee should step back into the TE1 role when he returns, though the emergence of Parkinson and rookie Terrance Ferguson could impact his playing time.

Tuesday, December 30, 3:00 PM

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki has seen his snap share drop steadily over the past three games. Now, with nothing but divisional pride on the line in a Week 18 matchup with the Browns, there is no guarantee of playing time for the 30-year-old veteran in the first year of the three-year deal he signed this offseason. For fantasy managers still playing into Week 18, there are more alluring names to be found on the waiver wire, with a pleasant number of NFL teams still playing for something in the final week of the regular season. Gesicki did finish as the TE2 as recently as Week 14, so he does represent a ceiling uncommon to the waiver wire, but with an unclear picture of how the Bengals are approaching the end of the season, he is best viewed as a desperation-only play in deeper leagues.