John Bates is the No. 2 tight end on the Commanders' depth chart, with limited production this season, having recorded six catches for 64 yards. His role becomes more significant following Ertz's injury, as Washington relies on him to step up in a crucial playoff push.

John Bates had a crucial misstep during the game, fumbling the ball on a drive that allowed the Cowboys to capitalize and score a touchdown. This mistake highlighted his struggles in a situation where he likely shouldn't have been in the spotlight, especially with the team having drafted Ben Sinnott and having Zach Ertz on the roster. The play underscored the need for Bates to focus more on his blocking duties moving forward.

John Bates struggled during the game, contributing to the Cowboys' defensive success by fumbling the ball, which Dallas recovered. His performance was part of a broader effort by the Cowboys' defense to dominate the matchup, limiting the Commanders' scoring opportunities significantly.

John Bates struggled in the recent loss to the Cowboys, earning a low PFF grade of 46.6. His performance highlighted the challenges the Commanders faced on offense, as they were unable to effectively execute their game plan.

John Bates struggled during the game against the Cowboys, contributing to the team's turnover issues by losing a fumble. His performance highlighted the challenges the Commanders faced offensively, as they were limited to just nine points for the majority of the match.