JOHN BATES NEWS

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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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

Back against Packers Bates (hamstring) is active Week 7 against Green Bay.

Impact The Commanders were without both Bates and Logan Thomas (calf) last week against Chicago, and while Thomas remains inactive, Bates will be back in action. The last time Thomas was out and Bates was active -- Week 5 against Tennessee -- Bates led the position group with a 58.6 percent snap share, though he was targeted only three times in that contest.

OCTOBER 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Possible game-time call Bates (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Green Bay, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Coach Ron Rivera told reporters Bates had a good day of practice Friday and has a chance to play heading into the weekend. With Logan Thomas (calf) out for a third straight game and Bates in danger of a second consecutive absence, rookie Cole Turner could have another shot at extended playing time, though Rivera also mentioned using FB Alex Armah more. Last week, Bates injured his hamstring in pregame warmups, which was too late for the Commanders to alter their plans for which players would be active/inactive. The tight end now looks like a game-time decision ahead of a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday.

OCTOBER 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting Thursday Bates (hamstring) did not practice Thursday, ESPN's John Keim reports.

Impact Bates missed Wednesday's practice as well, meaning his availability for Week 7 is in substantial question going into Friday's practice. He suffered the injury shortly before Washington's Thursday game in Week 6, so he's been out for one week at this point. If Bates can't play against Green Bay on Sunday then Washington might need to rely on Cole Turner and Armani Rogers again, though neither has the blocking ability that Bates normally provides.

OCTOBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Still bothered by hammy Bates (hamstring) isn't practicing Wednesday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Bates hurt his hamstring during pregame warmups last Thursday, allowing rookie Cole Turner to play 93 percent of the snaps on offense in a win over Chicago. With both Bates and Logan Thomas (calf) missing practice to start the week, Turner could have another big opportunity this Sunday against the Packers while catching passes from Taylor Heinicke, who will step in under center for injured starting quarterback Carson Wentz (finger).

OCTOBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't log any snaps Thursday Bates (hamstring) didn't play any snaps in Thursday's game against the Bears.

Impact Bates injured his hamstring in pregame warmups, leaving the Commanders with Cole Turner and Armani Rogers at tight end. The week before, Bates and Turner had worked in tandem with Logan Thomas (calf) inactive, drawing three targets apiece. Turner played 93 percent of offensive snaps in Thursday's win over the Bears, and he could have a similar role Week 7 against Green Bay if neither Thomas nor Bates is ready to play. The TE spot in Washington hasn't provided much production this year, with a combined output of 225 yards (37.5 per game) and one TD through six weeks.

OCTOBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers injury during warmups Bates suffered a hamstring injury during warmups prior to Thursday's game against the Bears, Ivan Lambert of USA Today reports.

Impact Bates was expected to fill in as the Commanders' starting tight end with Logan Thomas (calf) sidelined. He had tallied seven receptions combined across his last two games, but with Bates dealing with a hamstring injury, Cole Turner was next up for the team's TE snaps versus Chicago on Thursday.

OCTOBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Could start Thursday Bates could make another start Thursday against the Bears with fellow tight end Logan Thomas (calf) ruled out for a second straight game.

Impact Bates handled a three-down role a few times late last season when Thomas was out, but in the Week 5 loss to the Titans, the Commanders often subbed in Cole Turner for obvious passing situations. As a result, Bates was limited to playing 59 percent of snaps, though he reeled in his three targets for 39 yards. Meanwhile, Turner finished without a catch on three targets and 32 snaps (51 percent).

OCTOBER 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE