Who Should I Start? Tyler Scott or Tez Johnson

Sunday, September 8, 11:38 AM

Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson and wide receiver Tyler Scott are both healthy scratches for Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans. This news offers some insight into the Bears' offensive pecking order this year, with Johnson's absence being particularly interesting. He was a fourth-round pick in 2023 and made a solid impression as a rookie last year, but the Bears will opt for Travis Homer as their third-string running back behind starter D'Andre Swift and backup Khalil Herbert. Scott's absence is less of a surprise but still noteworthy considering he played 17 games in 2023 and is coming off a solid preseason. Regardless of Scott's availability, DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze are locked in as the Bears' top three receivers.

Thursday, October 16, 2:15 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Tez Johnson has been trending up the last two weeks with five receptions, 104 yards, and a touchdown on seven targets with Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (leg) sidelined. Fellow rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) was also injured in the Week 6 win over the San Francisco 49ers. Although Johnson only caught one pass (on three targets) on Sunday, he played a season-high 72% of the offensive snaps and made his one reception count with a 45-yard touchdown, his first in the NFL. Evans could return on Monday against the Detroit Lions for the first time since straining his hamstring, but Egbuka and Godwin are expected to be inactive. It means that the speedy 23-year-old Johnson could feature more again in Tampa's pass-heavy offense as a deep threat for quarterback Baker Mayfield against a depleted Lions secondary. Johnson is setting up as a boom/bust flex option in Week 7 in deeper fantasy leagues.