The Tennessee Titans will head into Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars short-handed, with rookie wide receiver Carnell Tate among the players ruled out after not practicing all week.
Tate’s shoulder issue first knocked him out of the Titans’ Week 8 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. Tennessee then used its Week 9 bye hoping the extra time would get him back on the field, but the rookie still won’t be available for this one.
Head coach Robert Saleh said he’s holding out hope Tate can return in Week 11 against the Dallas Cowboys, though the team won’t have a clearer picture until it starts prepping for that game.
“I was really optimistic going through the bye week,” Saleh said. “The shoulder stuck on him a little bit. We are hopeful for next week, but I'll have a better answer for you (next) Wednesday.”
With Tate sidelined again, Wan’Dale Robinson and Chimere Dike are set to see bigger workloads. Both were already leaned on heavily in the Week 8 loss to Cincinnati, when Tate was out as well.
Robinson logged 72 snaps and 47 routes in that game, drawing seven targets and finishing with 15.7 fantasy points. Still, Jacksonville has been tough on slot receivers, which makes him a shakier fantasy play.
Dike may be the more attractive option. He played 63 snaps, ran 40 routes and came away with five catches for 71 yards and a touchdown against the Bengals.
He also stepped directly into Tate’s spot at the Z receiver position. The Jaguars have given up more fantasy production to outside receivers, which gives Dike a better path to production.
Elic Ayomanor also saw more action against Cincinnati, playing 50 snaps and running 30 routes, but he turned that into only three catches for 34 yards on five targets. Calvin Ridley could also stay in the mix.
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