Who Should I Start? Tyree Jackson or Bailey Zappe

Friday, August 18, 10:25 AM

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Tyree Jackson caught both of his targets and gained 41 yards during the team's 18-18 preseason tie with the Cleveland Browns. The 25-year-old tore his ACL at the end of the 2021 season and failed to net a reception in 2022. The fact that Philadelphia brought him back this offseason to a crowded tight-end room shows that they believe he is talented, and he showed his explosiveness on a completion deep up the right side of the field for 35 yards in the fourth quarter Thursday night. However, with Dan Arnold and second-year tight end Grant Calcaterra likely making the final 53-man roster, Jackson will have a tough time surviving cutdowns unless he absolutely explodes next week against the Colts. Expect Jackson to land on the Eagles practice squad by the time the regular season rolls around.

Tuesday, October 22, 1:08 PM

The Cleveland Browns signed quarterback Bailey Zappe off the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad on Tuesday, according to sources. Deshaun Watson (Achilles) is out for the year after tearing his Achilles in the Week 7 loss to the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals, while Dorian Thompson-Robinson's (finger) status for the Week 8 game against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens is also up in the air. With DTR's status unknown, veteran Jameis Winston could start this Sunday against the Ravens, with Zappe backing him up if Thompson-Robinson is inactive. The 25-year-old Zappe was cut by the New England Patriots in training camp but quickly latched onto the Chiefs' practice squad. The former fourth-rounder could be one more injury away from making another start after he threw for 1,272 yards, six touchdowns and nine picks in 10 games (six starts) in 2023 for New England.