John Bates - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Logs one catch in Week 15 win Bates caught his lone target for 19 yards during the Commanders' 29-21 win over the Giants on Sunday.

Impact Bates hauled in a 19-yard pass from Marcus Mariota early in the second quarter, but the fifth-year tight end wasn't targeted again for the rest of the game. Bates was named the starter for Sunday's NFC East clash one week after Zach Ertz sustained a season-ending torn ACL, though the former will likely operate in a timeshare with Ben Sinnott for the rest of 2025. Next up for Bates and the Commanders is a Week 16 home tilt against the Eagles on Saturday.

DECEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Set for larger role sans Ertz Bates did not record a target during the Commanders' 31-0 loss to the Vikings on Sunday.

Impact Bates failed to see a target from a Commanders QB for the fifth time this season (and second time in Washington's last three games). However, with Zach Ertz out for the rest of season due to a torn ACL, Bates and Ben Sinnott are both poised for expanded roles on offense over the final four games of the regular season, starting with this Sunday's NFC East clash against the Giants.

DECEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Two catches vs. Denver Bates caught both of his targets for nine yards in Sunday night's 27-26 overtime loss to the Broncos.

Impact Even with Zach Ertz's monster performance (10-106-0), Bates was still involved in the Commanders' passing attack during Sunday night's loss. The Boise State product has appeared in 10 games this season, catching eight of 12 targets for 71 yards. He's likely to remain a minimal portion of Washington's offensive game plan in the Week 14 matchup against the Vikings.

DECEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Inside the locker room | TE John Bates JOHN%20BATES%20SCRUM%2011.9.mp4

NOVEMBER 10 • COMMANDERS.COM

Logs 20 yards in blowout loss Bates caught two of four targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 38-14 loss to the Seahawks.

Impact The Boise State product tallied season-highs in targets and receptions during Sunday's loss, finishing with the fourth-most receiving yards on the Commanders. Bates has now recorded five catches for 56 yards through seven appearances in 2025. He's likely to remain Washington's No. 2 tight end and continue playing behind Zach Ertz heading into the Week 10 matchup against the Lions.

NOVEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to play vs. Seattle Bates (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.

Impact Bates was limited in the final two practices of Week 9 prep due to an ankle injury, but he's been cleared to play Sunday night after going through pregame warmups. Bates and Ben Sinnott will provide depth at tight end behind Zach Ertz.

NOVEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Nursing ankle injury Bates (ankle) was a limited participant in Friday's practice and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Bates appeared on Thursday's injury report due to an ankle injury, which limited his participation in Friday's session. He's questionable to play Sunday and his status may not be known until he goes through pregame warmups. With Colson Yankoff (hamstring) already ruled out for Week 9, the Commanders may elevate Lawrence Cager from the practice squad to provide tight end depth behind Zach Ertz and Ben Sinnott in the event that Bates is not cleared to play.

OCTOBER 31 • ROTOWIRE

Notches longest catch of season Bates recorded a 22-yard reception on his lone target in Monday's 28-7 loss to the Chiefs.

Impact Bates' 22-yard catch and run in the second quarter was his longest gain since the 2023 campaign and tied for the third-biggest play of the night for a sputtering Commanders offense that finished with a season-low scoring total. The 27-year-old played 29 of the Commanders' 53 snaps on offense and has now cleared 50 percent snap shares in two straight weeks, but he'll continue to function mainly as a blocker while Zach Ertz serves as the team's top pass-catching tight end.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Logs full practice Friday Bates (shoulder) was a full participant in Friday's practice.

Impact Bates likely tweaked his shoulder during the Commanders' Week 5 win over the Chargers. He opened the week as a limited practice participant Thursday, but his ability to participate without restrictions Friday indicates that he should be good to go against the Bears on Monday. Bates played 41 snaps (30 on offense, 11 on special teams) and his first catch of the regular season for nine yards.

OCTOBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Pops up as limited Thursday Bates (shoulder) was limited in Thursday's practice.

Impact It's a new injury for the Commanders' tight end after he recently dealt with a groin issue that caused him to miss Weeks 3 and 4 before returning to the lineup last Sunday against the Chargers. When healthy, Bates has been playing roughly 50 percent of the offensive snaps, but he has just one catch for nine yards on the season.

OCTOBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

All set for Week 5 Bates (groin) was a full participant at practice Wednesday.

Impact Bates has been sidelined for each of the team's last two games due to a groin injury, but he now appears to be ready to return to action in Week 5. The 27-year-old will be back in his role as a top reserve option behind Zach Ertz at tight end versus the Chargers on Sunday.

OCTOBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Commanders are still waiting for Daniels and McLaurin to return and need to fix their defense

Missing the injured Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin is hardly ideal for the Washington Commanders’ offense, yet the most glaring issue at the moment is their defense

SEPTEMBER 29 • Associated Press

Commanders stars Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin out against the Falcons with injuries

The Washington Commanders will face the Atlanta Falcons without quarterback Jayden Daniels and wide receiver Terry McLaurin

SEPTEMBER 26 • Associated Press

Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin Ruled Out of Commanders vs. Falcons in Week 4

The Washington Commanders will be without Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin and more in Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons.

SEPTEMBER 26 • FOX SPORTS

Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin Ruled Out of Commanders vs. Falcons in Week 4

Ruled out Bates (groin) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at Atlanta, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Bates hasn't practiced the past two weeks and will now miss a second straight game. Ben Sinnott figures to step up as the No. 2 tight end again, with playing time largely depending on the gameplan (and then game script).

SEPTEMBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

Commanders Officially Rule Out Jayden Daniels For Week 4, Among Four Players Commanders HC Dan Quinn announced they have officially ruled out Jayden Daniels from Week 4 with a knee injury, per Nicki Jhabvala. Washingt...

SEPTEMBER 26 • NFLTRADERUMORS.CO

Dan Quinn returns to Atlanta as Commanders look to build on 2-1 start while Falcons hope to regroup

Former Falcons coach Dan Quinn will return to Atlanta as Washington's coach when the Commanders look to build on their 2-1 start on Sunday

SEPTEMBER 25 • Associated Press

Still dealing with groin issue Bates (groin) did not participate at practice Wednesday.

Impact Bates has not practiced since suffering a groin injury in Week 2 at Green Bay, and his availability for Week 4 is now in question. He'll probably have to return to practice in some capacity Thursday or Friday to have any chance to play Sunday at Atlanta.

SEPTEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Commanders' Jayden Daniels says he feels good and it's up to the doctors to decide if he can play

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels says he feels like himself while recovering from an injured left knee that kept him out of the lineup for the first time since he e...

SEPTEMBER 24 • Associated Press

Ruled out for Week 3 Bates (groin) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Raiders, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Bates suffered a groin injury in Washington's Week 2 loss to the Packers on Sept. 11 and was unable to practice at all before being ruled out. He played regularly as a blocking tight end, but his absence won't change the team's target distribution.

SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Commanders' Jayden Daniels will not play against the Raiders on Sunday because of an injured knee

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will miss Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders because of an injured left knee

SEPTEMBER 19 • Associated Press

The big question for the Commanders and Raiders was whether Jayden Daniels would play. He won't

The biggest question for both the Commanders and the Raiders entering their game Sunday was, quite simply: Will Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels play

SEPTEMBER 18 • Associated Press

Raiders and Commanders both have 1 win against a bad team and 1 loss to a good team

The Washington Commanders host the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, and both clubs have had similar starts to the season

SEPTEMBER 18 • Associated Press

Misses practice Bates (groin) did not practice Wednesday.

Impact Bates was injured in the first half of last Thursday night's loss to the Packers, and coach Dan Quinn said Monday that Bates is a "long shot" to play in Week 3 against the Raiders. Ben Sinnott and Colson Yankoff are next up at tight end behind starter Zach Ertz.

SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Unlikely to play Week 3 Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said Monday that Bates (groin) is a "long shot" to play Sunday versus Las Vegas, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Bates was injured in the second quarter in last Thursday's loss to the Packers. Though he will have had extended time to recover, it doesn't appear the veteran tight end will be able to suit up Sunday. Ben Sinnott and Colson Yankoff could both see more snaps than usual against the Raiders, though Zach Ertz -- who logged 89 percent of Washington's defensive snaps Week 2 -- will likely continue to carry a heavy workload as the team's top tight end.

SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

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