Ben

Sinnott

Okonkwo is on the wrong side of questionable at this point. He sat out in Week 2 and has not yet resumed practicing. Backup TE Ben Sinnott earned just one target last week. He does not need to be rostered.

Okonkwo left Week 1 in the third quarter with the hamstring issue and did not return. A DNP today puts him on the wrong side of questionable for Week 2. John Bates and Ben Sinnott each ran 10 routes on Sunday. They would likely split Okonkwo’s role if he can’t suit up, meaning their isn’t much fantasy value to be had here.

Okonkwo’s name will be one to look for on Wednesday when the Commanders release their first injury report. The 27-year-old tight end exited in the third quarter of Sunday’s game against the Eagles and did not return to the field. If he’s unable to play in Week 2 against the Cowboys, the Commanders would be looking at using John Bates and unproven third-year tight end Ben Sinnott as their top two options. Neither should be trusted for fantasy purposes if Okonkwo is out.

Keim went as far as to say that a league source was confused when the Commanders drafted Sinnott at No. 53 overall a year ago because he didn’t think the tight end was a fit for Kingsbury’s system. That source was spot on. Sinnott managed just 16 catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns through two seasons. Kingbury has since been fired and replaced by Blough, who previously held the title of assistant quarterbacks coach. Keim called out a deep shot and an intermediate throw over the middle to Sinnott as plays that are indicative of how Blough will use his tight ends in the regular season. Though free agent addition Chig Okonkwo is penciled in as the starter, Sinnott should get more run in his third season. Dynasty managers can leave the light on for him, even if he isn’t a consideration in redraft leagues.

Okonkwo, who in March signed a three-year deal worth up to $30 million, has been an offensive highlight for Washington under first-year OC David Blough. “He has rare speed and versatility, and his knack for collecting yards after the catch only adds to his appeal,” Jhabvala said, adding that the Commanders could “use a heavy dose of multiple tight end sets” under Blough this season. While last year in Tennessee was a down season for Okonkwo — he ranked 30th among tight ends in yards per route run — he has proven to be efficient in the past. Over four seasons with the Titans he was targeted on 19 percent of his pass routes. Okonkwo could be a 12-team fantasy option in 2026 if Jayden Daniels stays healthy.

Sinnott spent his second year seldom-used, sitting behind veteran Zach Ertz for much of the season. He started seeing double-digit passing-down snaps from Week 15 onwards, after Ertz tore his ACL. Sinnott only caught 11 total passes for 114 yards and a touchdown. The 23-year-old will enter his third season in 2026 and may finally be in line for the starting tight end role with Ertz unlikely to return. Sinnott is a former second-round pick who deserves TE2 consideration in Dynasty leagues due to his high draft capital if the Commanders decide to not touch the tight end room this offseason.

Ertz’s 2025 season is over after a Week 14 cheap shot resulted in a torn ACL for the 35-year-old veteran. He ends the season with 50 receptions for 504 yards and four touchdowns. Ertz was tenth among tight ends in catches and 12th in yardage before the injury. John Bates will likely operate as Washington’s TE1 for now, though Ben Sinnott could mix in as the Commanders play out the rest of their lost season. Neither Bates nor Sinnott should be played in 12-team leagues.

The Commanders ruled out the biggest names on this list early in the week, so there aren’t many surprises here. Sinnott, the 2024 second-round pick, has just three catches for 33 yards and one touchdown this year.

Sinnott heads into his sophomore season after a rookie campaign that saw him play well behind veteran Zach Ertz, who re-signed with Washington in March. Sinnott, a second round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, caught all five of his targets for 28 yards and a touchdown in 2024; his touchdown came on a fake punt. It would appear Sinnott’s only viable path to real playing time in the Commanders offense would be Ertz missing time.

The second-round rookie’s lone reception came on a second quarter fake punt play. Buried behind an apparently ageless Zach Ertz, Sinnott caught only five passes all year. Hugely disappointing, though 34-year-old Ertz is headed back to free agency while Sinnott remains five months shy of his 23rd birthday. Especially considering Jayden Daniels’ immediate ascension to superstar status, it’s not yet time to cut bait on Sinnott in dynasty leagues. He has youth on his side at what can still be a slow-developing position.