Falcons' Jessie Bates: Game-sealing INT vs. Las Vegas
Rotowire
Bates registered two solo tackles and an interception during Monday's 15-9 loss to the Raiders.
Bates logged his third interception of the regular season Monday on a Hail Mary pass from Desmond Ridder. Bates' two tackles were his lowest since Week 7, but he's played in 100 percent of the Falcons' defensive snaps in nine of 14 regular-season games. He's up to 83 tackles (50 solo), eight pass defenses (including three interceptions), four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Jessie Bates: Logs nine tackles
Rotowire
Bates totaled nine tackles (four solo) in Sunday's 42-21 loss to the Vikings.
Bates finished second on the team in tackles behind Kaden Elliss in Sunday's loss. Bates has now racked up 81 tackles (48 solo) and two interceptions across his first 13 outings of the season.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Jessie Bates: Makes 10 tackles in defeat
Rotowire
Bates recorded 10 tackles (five solo) and a pass breakup in Sunday's 38-6 loss to the Broncos.
The free safety also played on 97 percent of the defensive snaps. Bates has 70 tackles (42 solo), six passes defensed, including two interceptions, four forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 2024.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Jessie Bates: Nabs pick in Week 8
Rotowire
Bates recorded five total tackles (three solo) and one interception in Sunday's 31-26 win over the Buccaneers.
The veteran safety picked off Baker Mayfield on the Buccaneers' first drive coming out of halftime, bringing his season total up to two interceptions. Bates has also accumulated 50 total tackles, four passes defended and three forced fumbles through Atlanta's first eight games. He's expected to continue starting alongside Justin Simmons as part of one of the the best safety duos in the NFL ahead of Week 9, when the Falcons host the Cowboys.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Jessie Bates: Forces two fumbles against Bucs
Rotowire
Bates finished Thursday's 36-30 overtime win over the Buccaneers with eight tackles (three solo) and two forced fumbles.
Bates was the leading tackler for the Falcons on Thursday. His first forced fumble didn't lead to a turnover, but Bates managed to punch the ball out of Bucky Irving's hands late in the fourth quarter, which was recovered by Kaden Elliss. Bates has played every single defensive snap through the first five games of the regular season, and over that span he has recorded 37 tackles (23 solo), three passes defended, one interception and two forced fumbles.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Jessie Bates: Game-sealing interception on MNF
Rotowire
Bates recorded 12 tackles (seven solo), two pass defenses and one interception during Monday's 22-21 win over the Eagles.
After a quiet Week 1, Bates stole the defensive show during Monday Night Football. He posted a game-high 12 tackles and secured the Falcons' win after intercepting Jalen Hurts with 20 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Bates had a career-high six interceptions during his first season in Atlanta last year.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Jessie Bates: New teammate in secondary
Rotowire
Bates is listed as a starting safety on the Falcons' official depth chart, Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.
This isn't a surprise. However, the Falcons signing fellow safety Justin Simmons and trading for outside linebacker Matthew Judon late in training camp was a major surprise. The newcomers are listed as backups on the official depth chart, but that's expected to change as they get acclimated to head coach Raheem Morris' scheme. Bates starred during his first season in Atlanta last year, finishing with 133 tackles (89 solo), 11 pass defenses, six interceptions, three forced fumbles and one defensive touchdown across 17 appearances.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Jessie Bates: Snags sixth pick
Rotowire
Bates registered six tackles (four solo), two pass deflections and an interception during the Falcons' 29-10 victory versus the Colts on Sunday.
Bates was dominant once again while recording his sixth interception of the season. The 2018 second-round pick is having a career year, already setting new personal bests in both tackles and sacks across 15 games.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Jessie Bates: Records 10 tackles in loss
Rotowire
Bates recorded 10 tackles (six solo). in Sunday's 9-7 loss to the Panthers.
Bates was once again a very busy man in Week 15, reaching double-digit takedowns for the fifth time this season. The safety has now compiled 111 tackles (tied for career high) while intercepting five passes, deflecting nine others and forcing three fumbles over 14 contests so far in his first season with Atlanta.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Jessie Bates: Another interception
Rotowire
Bates recorded seven tackles (five solo) and one interception during Sunday's 13-8 win over the Jets.
Bates has recorded interceptions in back-to-back games, but unlike last week, he didn't return this one for a touchdown. However, he did tie Bud Dupree with a team-high seven tackles, giving him a strong fantasy floor. Bates was Atlanta's top free-agent signing this offseason, and he's been as advertised, notching four double-digit tackle outings and five interceptions through his first 12 appearances.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Jessie Bates: Snatches pick-six in win
Rotowire
Bates recorded 12 tackles (seven solo), a pass deflection, a forced fumble and a pick-six during Atlanta's 24-15 win over the Saints on Sunday.
Bates intercepted Derek Carr in the first quarter and ran it back 92 yards for his first touchdown since his rookie season. The 2018 second-round pick also led the team in tackles once again and has now compiled 85 stops (55 solo) to go along with four interceptions in 11 games this season.
... See More... See Less
Bengals' Jessie Bates: Bounces back in win
Rotowire
Bates recorded eight tackles (four solo) during Sunday's 27-24 win versus the Chiefs.
Bates had one of his strongest performances of the season as he led the team in tackles. After combining for just six tackles over the past two weeks, the former All Pro safety bounced back this week and helped limit Patrick Mahomes and one of the NFL's most explosive offenses. Bates will look to build off of this strong performance next week against the Browns.
... See More... See Less
Bengals' Jessie Bates: First double-digit tackle outing
Rotowire
Bates recorded 10 tackles (four solo) in Monday's 32-13 defeat against the Browns.
While Bates finished as the Bengals' leading tackler in this blowout loss, the safety's production so far in 2022 has severely lacked compared to his previous four seasons, as he's recorded just 36 tackles (24 solo), two passes defended and an interception over eight games. Bates will look to repeat this prolific performance against the Panthers this coming Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Bengals' Jessie Bates: Signs franchise tag
Rotowire
Bates signed his franchise tag with the Bengals on Tuesday, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.
Bates reported to training camp Tuesday for the first time this season and signed his $12.9 million franchise tag for 2022. The 2018 second-round pick had his worst statistical season last year, but he bounced back in the playoffs, recording more pass defenses (six) and interceptions (two) than he'd had during the regular season. He's played a prominent role in Cincinnati's secondary since he was drafted and should once again be on fantasy radars in IDP leagues.
... See More... See Less
Bengals' Jessie Bates: Not reporting to camp Tuesday
Rotowire
Bates won't report to Bengals training camp Tuesday with the rest of the team's veteran players, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
One of the NFL's premier safeties, Bates hit the ground running as a second-round pick in 2018 and hasn't looked back, averaging 110 tackles and 2.7 interceptions per 17 games played in four pro seasons. The Bengals predictably applied the franchise tag to Bates back in March, and after the two sides were unable to reach an agreement on an extension before the July 15 deadline he's required to play out the upcoming campaign on the tag. With a holdout imminent, it remains to be seen how the situation will play out.
... See More... See Less
Bengals' Jessie Bates: Could skip OTAs
Rotowire
Bates said he intends to take it day-by-day when asked if he'll join the Bengals for voluntary OTAs, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.
The Bengals placed their franchise tag on Bates at the beginning of March. The two sides have until July 15 to work out a multi-year deal, but if they don't, Bates will operate under the terms of the franchise tag during the 2022 campaign. His comments suggest he may be willing to sit out if he's unhappy with the negotiation progress.
... See More... See Less
Bengals' Jessie Bates: Franchise tag applied by Cincy
Rotowire
The Bengals on Monday used their franchise tag on Bates, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.
Bates totaled 20 tackles (11 solo), six pass deflections and two interceptions across four postseason games during the team's Super Bowl run. With the move, Cincinnati will have until July 15 to work out a multi-year contract with the safety, but if they don't, Bates will operate under the terms of the franchise tag during the 2022 campaign.
... See More... See Less
Bengals' Jessie Bates: Picks off first pass of season
Rotowire
Bates totaled eight tackles (six solo) and one interception during Sunday's 34-31 loss to the Jets.
Sunday's performance was Bates' fourth game with at least eight tackles this season. He now has 50 stops through seven contests this year and is on pace for his fourth straight 100-plus tackle campaign. The 24-year-old safety's fantasy value has a solid floor due to his tackling totals, but if he can continue to force turnovers, then his fantasy ceiling will grow exponentially.
... See More... See Less
Bengals' Jessie Bates: No limitations Wednesday
Rotowire
Bates (neck) was a full participant at Wednesday's practice, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.
Bates missed last Thursday's win over the Jaguars, but he's back at practice with no limitations Wednesday. The 24-year-old should reclaim his starting role at free safety this weekend against Green Bay.
... See More... See Less
Bengals' Jessie Bates: Posts 13 tackles
Rotowire
Bates made 13 tackles (10 solo) and forced a fumble in Sunday's 19-7 loss to the Dolphins.
Bates put up his fourth double-digit tackling performance of the season. He's up to 88 tackles through 12 games, putting him on track to reach a career high in the category. The 2018 second-round pick has already registered a career-high 13 pass breakups as well.
