Wan’Dale Robinson being evaluated for a concussion

Robinson led Titans wide receivers in targets and snaps with Carnell Tate out, seeing seven targets. He was involved in his usual short-yardage role out of the slot, averaging 9.5 yards per reception with a 15-yard fourth quarter touchdown boosting his fantasy production. He was credited with a fumble on a screen pass that controversially could have been ruled an incomplete pass. Robinson is consistently a checkdown target for Cam Ward, with intermediate targets sparsely sprinkled in. Tate may return out of the Titans’ Week 9 bye, leaving Robinson to fend for fantasy production in the fantasy WR4 ranks.

Tate’s game-day designation comes on the heels of three missed practices this week. His absence leaves behind an alpha’s target share to go claimed by the remaining pass catchers, most notable of whom is slot man Wan’Dale Robinson. Robinson also draws the top matchup on paper against he inside-funnel nature of the Cincinnati defense, appearing to have a clear path to leading the team in targets and receiving. Fantasy managers can start Robinson as a viable WR3.

Tate was a DNP all week and is at risk of missing Week 8’s game against the Bengals. The team will announce his official status shortly, but if he is unable to go, Wan’Dale Robinson and Elic Ayomanor would be the early favorites to see an uptick in targets against a Bengals secondary that ranks 18th in points allowed to opposing receivers this season.

Tate has now missed two practices with the shoulder issue, making him truly questionable for Sunday’s game versus the Bengals. Tate has been operating as the Titans’ clear WR1, meaning there would be plenty of opportunities up for grabs if he can’t go. Wan’Dale Robinson could be in line for more targets, but his slot-only role doesn’t have much overlap with Tate’s job. Second-year wideout Elic Ayomanor might be the best bet to see more work if Tate is out this week, though that would only move him into the WR4 ranks.

Apparently Tate picked up the shoulder injury in Week 7’s loss to the Browns, when he caught five passes for 69 scoreless yards. If Tate is unable to practice headed into the weekend, Elic Ayomanor, who last week ran a route on 79 percent of the team’s drop backs and had 44 yards on three catches, would likely be the de factor WR1 for Tennessee. Tate has dominated air yards and targets this season and profiles as a positive regression candidate in the coming weeks.

The checkdowns for Robinson will continue until morale improves. Running a pass routes on 27 of 34 Titans drop backs, Robinson was third in targets among Tennessee pass catchers and couldn’t make anything happen after the catch on each of his four grabs on the day. He now has two games of more than 50 receiving yards on the season with an average depth of target below six. Robinson should remain on waiver wires ahead of Week 8.

It was another solid if unspectacular outing for the rookie. The Titans operated a fast-pace offense through much of the game against Cleveland, using no-huddle for long stretches of the ballgame. That seemed to put Cam Ward in some sort of rhythm — to the benefit of a few Titans skill position players. Tate now has at least six receptions in three of his past four outings. Tate, who entered the week with a 46 percent air yards share and a 25 percent target share, is an every-week starter who could be a WR3 option next week against a pass-funnel Bengals defense.

We suppose 3/22 isn’t an awful outcome on a day where the quarterback completed only 11 passes, but supposed targets hog Robinson is falling further and further behind No. 4 overall pick Carnell Tate, who is suddenly stacking impressive box scores and highlight-reel plays. You would like for that to eventually add an extra element to this anemic offense — and perhaps more play volume — but until it does, Robinson is looking like little more than a last-gasp WR4 in fantasy.

Tate’s eight-yard fourth quarter score was the first of his career. He simply beat the defense to the spot in the end zone. Although the touchdown was great, it was Tate’s 19-yard grab early in the third frame that was the highlight of the day. He skied over CB Justin Walley. Playing much better football of late even as second-year QB Cam Ward struggles to return the favor, Tate has stabilized his WR3 value and will be pushing for WR2 status with injuries mounting and bye weeks in full swing.

Well, at least last week was good. He did have a 40-plus yarder pulled off the board because of a holding penalty. Next week offers a more welcoming Colts defense and Tate should have a path to low-end WR3 numbers there.