Who Should I Start? Zach Ertz or Pat Freiermuth

Saturday, September 30, 2:00 AM

Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz should be considered a bench stash this week against the San Francisco 49ers. As the season has gone along, Ertz's fantasy production has sharply declined. Prior to Week 3, Ertz was heavily involved in the Arizona passing game but was an afterthought in the team's upset win over Dallas. In addition, the 49ers have so far allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends. Since it remains to be seen how heavily the Cardinals will utilize him, Ertz is currently a risky option. Unless fantasy managers have no other choice, he's best left on the bench for Week 4.

Tuesday, October 3, 1:13 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that tight end Pat Freiermuth (hamstring) is "very doubtful" to play in Week 5 against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens this Sunday after he hurt his hamstring in the Week 4 loss to the Houston Texans. We'll have a better idea of whether Freiermuth will be able to play this weekend based on his practice status this week, but fantasy managers that have been starting him through the first four weeks of the season should already be looking for a backup plan if they don't have one already. Rookie Darnell Washington could serve as Pittsburgh's top pass-catching tight end if Freiermuth is inactive, while Connor Heyward could also be in the mix for a larger role in Week 5.