Golden Tate status update 7:29 p.m.

The New York Giants announced their inactives and they will be without tight end Evan Engram and wide receiver Sterling Shepard. This is not breaking news considering both were ruled out on Wednesday. But if you’re looking to roll the dice with Golden Tate in his second game back from suspension, he’s certainly going to get a lot of looks. He’ll be starting opposite Darius Slayton with Cody Latimer serving as the third receiver. Slayton was the team’s leading receiver last week, but with so many injuries, he and Tate both could have significant opportunities in a game where the Giants are likely playing from behind much of the night.

Remember that video of Greg Jennings in Madden putting the team on his back though? If you haven’t seen it, go watch it. But this week for Golden Tate, he may literally have to put the Giants’ offense on his back. New York has already ruled out RB Saquon Barkley (ankle), WR Sterling Shepard (concussion), RB Wayne Gallman (concussion) AND TE Evan Engram (knee) for Thursday Night Football vs. the Patriots. So it could be the Daniel Jones-Tate show.

After serving a four-game suspension, Tate returned to action last week, catching just three of six targets for a paltry 13 yards (4.3 FPTS). He played on 46 of 69 offensive snaps for the G-Men, which is very encouraging but also not too surprising. The Giants brought Tate in this offseason to be a go-to option in the passing game, and now that Jones has supplanted Eli Manning, that passing attack has a bit more optimism. Jones has looked like a rookie QB with upside and some value on the ground and now Tate is his No. 1 WR and only viable option on offense.

Fantasy Football Analysis, New York Giants WR Daniel Jones

I will repeat, Tate is the No. 1 WR and only viable option on offense. Let me list the receivers Jones has to throw to not named Tate: Darius Slayton, Cody Lattimer, Rhett Ellison, Cody Core. This is essentially your second cousin’s flag football team and the QB-WR combo that played a little bit at a D-III school is leading the way. Despite a very low implied team total (12.2) and tough matchup on the road, there’s a lot to like about Tate. He could see upwards of 10-12 targets and the game script plays very much in his favor with New England expected to go up big, forcing Jones to throw. I think given the volume, it’s tough to fade Tate in this spot. This is a slot guy who has generally averaged around 5-6 receptions per game throughout his career. In non-PPR formats, I’d lean benching Tate to be safe, but in PPR I think you’ve got to go for it here.

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