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What happens at tight end, now?
A significant question that has arisen is the fact that starting tight end John Bates is out for at least a couple of weeks. What does this mean for the Washington run offense, and is there a tight end ready to be promoted if Bates’ injury becomes an ongoing dilemma for the 2026 season?
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This “could be” a major obstacle for the 2026 season if Bates does not fully heal before testing his injured/strained hamstring. No, Bates is not an above-average receiving tight end in the NFL. But he is certainly one of the better blocking tight ends in the NFL. For those old enough, think what Don Warren meant to Joe Gibbs and the Redskins offenses during his lengthy 14-year career in Washington (1979-92).
NFL analyst Brian Baldinger has praised Bates’ blocking more than a few times. Baldinger has even referred to Bates as, “the best blocking tight end in the NFL.” The ‘JBB’ is the ‘John Bates’ Block,’ as Baldinger has stated in his NFL film reviews. So, this injury to Bates could be a major headache if he does not heal and remain healthy this season. The Commanders need Bates. But what if they don’t get a healthy Bates in 2026?
TE Ben Sinnott, plain and simple, MUST step up. Newly signed TE Chig Okonkwo this offseason is more of a hybrid tight end/receiver. He is not an in-the-trenches tight end like Bates. Zach Ertz was a very good receiving tight end, but not nearly the blocker Bates is. Sinnott is more physical than Ertz, but still far from a Bates, thus far after his two seasons.
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In close yardage situations, it could very well be that without Bates, the Commanders would choose to go with an extra lineman like Trent Scott or Brandon Coleman. The Commanders paid Bates handsomely a new contract and it wasn’t because of his route running down field. The Commanders appreciated Bates’ blocking contributions so much they extended him, not permitting him to become a free agent.
The pressure on Ben Sinnott, a 2024 second-round choice, just increased in these last few days with Bates’ hamstring injury. We are not being harsh, but as a second-round pick, Sinnott must step up, show improvement, and increase value to justify his selection that high in the 2024 draft.
Finally, we sincerely hope Bates’ injury will be behind him when the season opener arrives September 13 at 4:25 pm in Philadelphia, against the Eagles.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Could Commanders TE John Bates’ injury become a major issue?
