JOHN BATES NEWS

Adds three catches in playoffs Bates caught eight of 13 passes for 84 yards during the 2024 regular season, then added three catches for 31 yards on four targets in the playoffs.

Impact Bates has been Washington's No. 2 tight end ever since the team took him in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He's always been more of a blocker than pass catcher, and it's possible he finds a new home now that he's completed his rookie contract. TE Zach Ertz is also scheduled for free agency, but Bates is unlikely to have a major receiving role even if he re-signs with the Commanders while Ertz moves on.

JANUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Ready for Sunday Bates (shoulder) was a limited participant in practice Friday and does not carry an injury designation for Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Eagles.

Impact Bates has dealt with a shoulder injury throughout the postseason, but his availability hasn't yet been impacted. He secured one of two targets for 20 yards during the team's divisional-round win over Detroit while working behind Zach Ertz at the tight end position.

JANUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Nursing shoulder injury Bates (shoulder) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Impact Bates entered the postseason nursing a shoulder injury, but it didn't prevent him from playing in the Commanders' first two playoff games. He played 85 snaps (70 on offense, 15 on special teams) over those two contests and caught one pass (on three targets) for 20 yards while serving as Washington's backup tight end behind Zach Ertz. Bates' limited participation Thursday is likely to prevent an aggravation of his shoulder injury, and he should be able to play in Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Eagles unless he suffers a setback.

JANUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared for wild-card round Bates (shoulder) was limited in practice Friday but does not carry an injury designation for Sunday's road NFC wild-card round matchup against the Buccaneers.

Impact Bates began the week as a full participant in practice, and despite then downgrading to back-to-back limited sessions, he's been cleared to suit up Sunday on the road at Tampa Bay. The depth tight end suited up for all 17 regular-season games with Washington, securing eight of 13 targets for 84 yards.

JANUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Working through shoulder issue Bates (shoulder) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Impact Bates' limited participation in pracitce could be out of precaution after he logged a full practice Wednesday. Friday's practice report and subsequent injury designation will provide more clarity on Bates' status heading into Sunday's NFC wild-card round game against the Buccaneers. Bates has primarily been used as an extra blocker for the Commanders but managed to log eight catches (on 13 targets) for 84 yards across 17 regular-season games while operating as Zach Ertz's backup.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Makes short catch in Week 15 Bates played 42 of the Commanders' 78 snaps on offense and hauled in his lone target for a six-yard reception in Sunday's 20-19 win over the Saints.

Impact Bates and fellow reserve tight end Ben Sinnott (42 snaps, 1-7-0 receiving line on one target) turned in nearly identical lines in Week 15 in terms of both playing time and production, with both seeing their roles expand after starter Zach Ertz (concussion) left the game early. If Ertz can't clear concussion protocol ahead of Sunday's game against the Eagles, another near-even timeshare at tight end between Bates and Sinnott could be in the offing. Sinnott profiles as the more fantasy-friendly option of the two, as the rookie second-round pick recorded 49 catches for 676 yards and six touchdowns during his final collegiate season at Kansas State.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Makes short catch in Week 15 Bates played 42 of the Commanders' 78 snaps on offense and hauled in his lone target for a six-yard reception in Sunday's 20-19 win over the Saints.

Impact Bates and fellow reserve tight end Ben Sinnott (42 snaps, 1-7-0 receiving line on one target) turned in nearly identical lines in Week 15 in terms of both playing time and production, with both seeing their roles expand after starter Zach Ertz (concussion) left the game early. If Ertz can't clear concussion protocol ahead of Sunday's game against the Eagles, another near-even timeshare at tight end between Bates and Sinnott could be in the offing. Sinnott profiles as the more fantasy-friendly option of the two, as the rookie second-round pick recorded 49 catches for 676 yards and six touchdowns during his final collegiate season at Kansas State.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Late kickoff return TDs by Turpin and Thomas spark the Cowboys as they end their 5-game skid

Two kickoff return touchdowns in the final three minutes provided the Dallas Cowboys with a moment of happiness in the middle of a lost season

NOVEMBER 24, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Seibert misses an extra point late as the Commanders lose their 3rd in a row, 34-26 to the Cowboys

Austin Seibert missed his second extra point of the game with 21 seconds left after Washington’s Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin connected on an 86-yard touchdown, Dallas’ Juanye...

NOVEMBER 24, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Two catches vs. Philadelphia Bates caught two passes on three targets for 17 yards during Thursday's 26-18 loss to the Commanders.

Impact Bates had gone catchless the last two games, but he finished Thursday's game third in both receptions and receiving yards behind Austin Ekeler (eight catches for 89 yards) and Zach Ertz (six receptions for 47 yards). Bates played in just 30 percent of the Commanders' offensive snaps, and he's been hovering around that rate as he operates as the Commanders' No. 2 tight end behind Ertz and ahead of Ben Sinnott. Through 11 regular-season games, Bates has played 295 snaps on offense and accumulated five catches (on eight targets) for 51 yards.

NOVEMBER 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Goes catchless in second straight Bates failed to draw a target while playing 21 of the Commanders' 59 snaps on offense in Sunday's 30-23 loss to the Ravens.

Impact Bates' 36 percent snap share was his second-lowest rate of the season while the Commanders leaned more heavily on No. 1 tight end Zach Ertz (80 percent share) and made less frequent use of two-tight-end formations. The 26-year-old still remains clearly ahead of rookie second-round pick Ben Sinnott on the depth chart, but Bates continues to function mostly as a blocker whenever he's on the field. Bates has been targeted just three times across his 173 snaps on offense in 2024.

OCTOBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Serving as No. 2 tight end Bates played 25 of the Commanders' 72 snaps on offense in Sunday's 21-18 win over the Giants and reeled in his lone target for a five-yard reception.

Impact Bates has worked ahead of rookie second-round draft pick Ben Sinnott in both of the Commanders' first two games, but the presence of veteran Zach Ertz has kept Bates from playing more than half of the snaps on offense in either contest. If the Commanders fade from playoff contention, Ertz could take on a lesser role, but the coaching staff may be more inclined to expand Sinnott's playing time rather than taking a longer look at Bates. Through his first three seasons in the league, Bates didn't showcase intriguing upside as a receiver, finishing with between 14 and 20 catches in each year despite missing only one game during that span.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Catches two passes from Daniels Bates caught both of his targets for 20 yards in Saturday's 13-6 preseason loss to Miami.

Impact Both receptions came from QB Jayden Daniels, with Bates making the start and playing nearly all the first-team snaps for a second straight week. The fourth-year pro is unlikely to have an every-down role once the regular season begins, but it does seem Bates he start the year ahead of rookie second-round pick Ben Sinnott, serving as the blocking/inline tight end in a timeshare with Zach Ertz. It may not be long before Sinnott pushes for more snaps, however.

AUGUST 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Draws no targets Week 6 Bates went without a target across 20 snaps on offense Sunday in the Commanders' 24-16 win over the Falcons.

Impact Quarterback Sam Howell didn't look to involve his tight ends in Week 6, as the trio of Logan Thomas, Bates and Cole Turner combined for just one target across 69 offensive snaps. Thomas continues to dominate the playing time among the position group, and so long as he's healthy, Bates will be in store for a minor role. In the four games that Thomas has played without exiting early due to injury, Bates has drawn just three total targets.

OCTOBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Can't-Miss Play: Howell unloads majestic 35-yard pass to John Bates Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell unloads a majestic 35-yard pass to tight end John Bates.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 • NFL.COM

Commanders offseason wrap: Did they do enough to become a playoff team?

Looking at what the Commanders accomplished this offseason and who they are, in the form of 3 truths and 1 lie.

JULY 12, 2023

Quiet second season Bates finished the 2022 season with 14 catches for 108 yards and a touchdown on 22 targets in 16 games.

Impact The 2021 fourth-round pick mostly served as a blocker, playing no fewer than 20 offensive snaps and no more than 45 in his 16 appearances. Bates had 249 receiving yards as a rookie and could perhaps have a larger role in 2023, but he'll likely always be used as a blocker first and foremost, given his 6-6, 259-pound frame and lack of speed.

JANUARY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Blanked on stat sheet Bates was not targeted in Sunday's 20-20 tie against the Giants.

Impact Bates played 45 of the team's offensive snaps, but he failed to tally any stats. It was just the third time in 12 contests the second-year pro failed to see a target, and the sixth time he's gone without a reception. After a Week 14 bye, Bates will work to get on the stat sheet Week 15 in a rematch with the Giants.

DECEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

John Bates | My Cause My Cleats This week, players all over the NFL are wearing customized cleats to bring awareness to important causes they support throughout the year. C...

DECEMBER 3, 2022 • NFL.COM

Scores second NFL touchdown Bates caught three of four targets for 24 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 19-13 win over Atlanta.

Impact Bates handled his usual role as Washington's in-line tight end, though it came with more snaps (58 percent) than usual in a run-heavy contest. Logan Thomas still ran most of the routes and got most of the snaps on passing downs, so Bates isn't a great bet to repeat the production Week 13 against the Giants.

NOVEMBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Commanders WATCH: TE John Bates Scores 1st TD of Season; Washington Retakes Lead vs. Atlanta Unlikely hero John Bates helps the Washington Commanders take the lead. Can they hold on against the Atlanta Falcons?

NOVEMBER 27, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM

Serves primarily as blocker Week 10 Bates failed to draw a target during Monday's 32-21 win over the Eagles.

Impact Bates was on the field for 41 of Washington's 83 snaps on offense in the upset victory, with his 49 percent share representing his highest mark since Week 5. It's worth noting that Bates ran just eight routes on the night, as the Commanders implemented a run-heavy game plan that often featured Bates sharing the field with top tight end Logan Thomas. On the occasions the Commanders are looking to pass, Thomas is still expected to rank ahead of Bates as the team's preferred option at tight end.

NOVEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Catches one pass Bates caught one of two targets for five yards in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Vikings

Impact Logan Thomas hasn't caught a pass in two games since returning from a calf injury, but he did play well over half the snaps in both contests, while Bates has clocked in somewhere in the 30s the past three weeks (39 percent share in Sunday's loss). Any hope for fantasy value depends on Thomas missing time, and even then the Commanders seem to prefer Cole Turner over Bates in passing situations. More than a target or two is unlikely Week 10 at the Eagles.

NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Targeted once Bates played 33 percent of offensive snaps and caught his lone target for a six-yard gain in a 17-16 win over Indianapolis on Sunday.

Impact Bates finished third among the Washington tight ends in snap share with Logan Thomas returning from a three-game absence. All three were bunched fairly close together, with Thomas at 56 percent and Armani Rogers at 36 percent. Bates is probably the least intersting from a fantasy standpoint, as he ran the fewest routes and spent most of his afternoon blocking. He's unlikely to see more than a target or two Week 9 against the Vikings.

OCTOBER 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not targeted in win Bates wasn't targeted Sunday against the Packers, playing 23 snaps on offense (31 percent) in a 23-21 win.

Impact Armani Rogers led the TEs with 51 percent snap share and three catches, while Cole Turner was targeted twice (both incomplete) before leaving with a concussion. Bates was listed as questionable after missing the previous game with a hamstring injury, and it's possible that contributed to his diminished role relative to previous games that Logan Thomas (calf) has missed. It's possible all three of Thomas, Bates and Turner show up on the Week 8 injury report ahead of a road game against the Colts.

OCTOBER 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE