John Bates Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that TE Zach Ertz has agreed to a one-year deal with the Commanders worth "up to" $5 million. We'll be curious to see more specific terms on the contract -- such as whether it even guarantees he'll even break training camp with the team. Ertz managed just 27 catches over six games for the Cardinals last year, coming off a 2022 ACL tear. He failed to reach another active roster after Arizona waived him Nov. 30. (He finished the year on Detroit's practice squad.) Ertz will turn 34 in November and has set career lows in yards per catch each of the past two seasons (8.6, then 6.9). He spent his pre-2023 Arizona time playing under then-HC Kliff Kingsbury, who joined Washington as OC this offseason. We'll see how much that factored into Ertz's signing and what Kingsbury might have planned. The Commanders have room on the TE depth chart after dumping Logan Thomas, with only Cole Turner and John Bates under contract. But the Ertz signing shouldn't exclude them from making any other moves at the position. You can consider Ertz as a third TE late in your best ball drafts, but we wouldn't chase him any earlier than that.

The Commanders released TE Logan Thomas, saving $6.5 million against the 2024 salary cap. Thomas caught 55 balls last year -- 14th among TEs -- but averaged just 9.0 yards per reception on a 6.1-yard average depth of target. We'll see where he lands and how much playing time he claims, but Thomas is a low-upside fantasy asset at this point of his career. The Commanders, meanwhile, are left with TEs Cole Turner, John Bates, and Armani Rogers, who have combined for just 71 NFL catches. The team figures to add to that group in free agency and/or the draft.

Commanders TE Logan Thomas (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game vs. the Bills. TEs Cole Turner and John Bates split snaps in Thomas' absence in the second half of last week's game, so neither guy can be trusted in Week 3 fantasy lineups.

Commanders TE Logan Thomas sustained a concussion on a 4-yard TD in the second quarter of Sunday’s game vs. the Broncos. It’s his first documented concussion. We’ll track his progress through the protocol this coming week. Thomas’ absence leaves Washington with TEs Cole Turner and John Bates.

The Commanders threw for just 138 yards in Sunday's win over the Falcons, running 37 times vs. just 23 dropbacks. WR Terry McLaurin led the team in targets (6), catches (4) and receiving yards (48), while no teammate exceeded 24 yards. TE John Bates checked in next with 3 catches for 24 yards on 4 targets. He and RB Brian Robinson Jr. caught QB Taylor Heinicke's 2 TD throws. Logan Thomas continued to lead TEs in routes but trailed Bates by 1 target and logged just 1 catch for 7 yards. WRs Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel combined or 0 catches on 1 target.

Commanders TE John Bates (hamstring) is active for today’s game vs. the Packers. He figures to split TE duties with Cole Turner. Avoid the situation in fantasy lineups.

Commanders TE Logan Thomas (calf) is out for Sunday's game vs. the Packers. TE John Bates (hamstring) is listed as questionable. If Bates can't go, Washington would be down to TEs Cole Turner and Armani Rogers. Avoid this situation in Week 7 fantasy lineups.

Commanders TEs Logan Thomas (calf) and John Bates (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday. If they're unable to play vs. the Packers this weekend, Washington would be down to TEs Cole Turner and Armani Rogers.

Commanders TE John Bates was knocked out of Thursday night's game vs. the Bears with a hamstring injury before seeing a target. That left TE duties to Cole Turner, who finished with 2 catches on 2 targets for 23 yards. We'll see if Bates and/or TE Logan Thomas (calf) make it back for Week 7.

Commanders TE Logan Thomas (calf) did not practice on Tuesday. He seems unlikely to play vs. the Bears on Thursday night after hurting his calf last Friday. With Thomas out last week, TEs John Bates and Cole Turner split routes and targets down the middle. Neither guy is a viable Week 6 fantasy play.

Commanders TE Logan Thomas (calf) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Titans. TE John Bates figures to lead Washington in pass routes but is just an emergency fantasy play.

Commanders TE Logan Thomas (calf) will not play vs. the Titans today, ESPN's John Keim reports. Thomas misses a plus matchup after hurting that calf late in the practice week. Washington will have TEs John Bates, Cole Turner and Armani Rogers active for today's game. Bates is the best fantasy bet but would be a desperation play.

Commanders TE Logan Thomas missed practice Friday with a calf injury that has him questionable for Sunday's game against the Titans. ESPN's John Keim says the TE's status "will be determined Sunday morning." Sounds like Thomas will be risky to trust in fantasy football lineups even if he's active. John Bates figures to start if Thomas can't go. The team also plans to have TE Cole Turner active, with WR Jahan Dotson's absence (hamstring) opening a roster spot.

Commanders QB Carson Wentz threw for just 170 yards, 1 TD and 2 INTs in Sunday's 25-10 loss to the Cowboys. WR Curtis Samuel once again led the team in targets (7), catching 4 balls for 38 yards. TE Logan Thomas, WR Terry McLaurin and TE John Bates tied for 2nd with 6 targets apiece. Rookie WR Jahan Dotson led the squad with 43 receiving yards and snagged the lone TD but left early with a hamstring injury. Dallas looked like a negative matchup heading in. A Week 5 home date with the Titans presents rebound potential.

Commanders rookie TE Cole Turner has been working in with the 1st team at training camp. Ethan Cadeaux of NBC Sports Washington says that he "has had a nice start to camp." Turner's not worth getting excited about, but there is opportunity potentially available. Logan Thomas has yet to come off the PUP list as he works back from a December ACL tear that included other damage. If Turner can work ahead of 2nd-year TE John Bates on the depth chart, he'd carry some intrigue as a very late 3rd TE (or 4th in FFPC formats) on best-ball rosters. The 5th-round converted WR caught 111 passes over his final 2 college seasons and delivered an above-average speed score for the position in pre-draft testing at 6'6 and 250 pounds. Turner at least looks like a name to know for dynasty purposes. Thomas is heading into his age-31 season.

Washington is placing TE Logan Thomas (knee) on IR. It's his 2nd trip to IR, which ends his 2021 season. We're still waiting for more details on Thomas' knee injury and whether it'll impact his 2022 campaign. It'll be rookie John Bates and Ricky Seals-Jones, who seems close to returning from his hip injury, at TE for Washington the rest of the way.

Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports that Washington TE Logan Thomas avoided an ACL tear. HC Ron Rivera told reporters that Thomas' MRI came back better than expected. He said further testing is needed to confirm, so we'll see about the final diagnosis here. We're certainly betting on Thomas to miss some time. We'll see whether he has a shot to return this year.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Washington TE Logan Thomas "likely" tore both the ACL and MCL in his left knee in Sunday's win over the Raiders. That would obviously end the TE's season and potentially challenge the start of his 2022 campaign. We'll see how he progresses through the offseason. TE Ricky Seals-Jones appeared close to returning this week and would likely re-assume lead TE duties if healthy in Week 14. Rookie John Bates figures to factor in as well.