2025 · WEEK 17 CLOSE
$0–1W–SINCE '25 DRAFTHIGH $0
AGE27Nov 6, 1997
EXP4 yrssince 2021
HEIGHT6'6"
Bates (hamstring) is set to begin practicing Tuesday, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.
Bates suffered a hamstring injury in late July and has not practiced since the issue developed. The tight end is recovering well and is set to see at least a limited practice session Tuesday. While Bates has been absent, Ben Sinnott has been expanding his route tree in the hopes of obtaining the No. 2 tight end role. Bates will need to prove he can maintain his position behind Chig Okonkwo as he works his way back the remainder of the preseason.
Bates will miss "a couple of weeks" due to a hamstring injury, Ben Standig of Big 100 Washington D.C. reports.
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Bates was not targeted during Thursday's 30-23 loss to Dallas.
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Everyone sharing the ball with John, most valuable first.
Above the line the plan was to throw; below it, to run.
Bates caught his lone target for 19 yards during the Commanders' 29-21 win over the Giants on Sunday.
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Bates could work as the Commanders' top tight end down the stretch, as Zach Ertz was placed on injured reserve Wednesday due to a knee injury.
After Ertz's injury, Bates tops a Commanders tight end depth chart that also includes Ben Sinnott and Colson Yankoff. Bates has been the top backup to Ertz throughout the 2025 season up to this point, even though Washington invested more draft capital in Sinnott, as Sinnott was a 2024 second-round pick while Bates was a 2021 fourth-round pick who re-signed with the Commanders for three years in March of 2025.
Bates did not record a target during the Commanders' 31-0 loss to the Vikings on Sunday.
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Bates caught both of his targets for nine yards in Sunday night's 27-26 overtime loss to the Broncos.
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The TEs priced immediately above and below him.
