Who Should I Start? Tyree Jackson or John Bates

Tuesday, December 17, 2:18 PM

The Washington Commanders signed tight end Tyree Jackson to the practice squad on Tuesday, according to team reporter John Keim. With Zach Ertz (concussion) in the concussion protocol, the team might need another body at the position ahead of the Week 16 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. Jackson, who played quarterback in college at Buffalo, last played in 2021. He appeared in nine games for the Philadelphia Eagles and caught three passes for 22 yards and a touchdown. Needless to say, he is not expected to be on the fantasy football radar even if he's elevated to the active roster for Sunday's NFC East showdown. Rookie Ben Sinnott will start at tight end if Ertz cannot play.

Wednesday, December 24, 10:23 AM

Washington Commanders tight end John Bates was outsnapped 37 to 27 by second-year tight end Ben Sinnott in last week's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Bates has served as Washington's No. 2 TE for most of the season, primarily as a blocker. He posted his highest route share (50%) of the season in Week 15 with Zach Ertz (knee) out for the season, but that mark cratered in Week 16, falling to just 16%, his lowest since Week 2. Sinnott profiles as the better receiving option and is seeing his role increase in that area. He jumped to a season-high 56% route share last week. Bates seems to be trending back toward his typical role as the top blocking tight end and shouldn't be considered a fantasy option on Christmas Day against the Dallas Cowboys, especially considering Washington's starting QB is likely to be Josh Johnson with Marcus Mariota (hand, quadriceps) injured.