Chris Conte

Tampa Bay's Chris Conte did not have the game of his life Monday night. Not only did his team lose to Pittsburgh in the Week Three contest, but Conte aggravated his knee injury in the first half and he allowed a touchdown in the first quarter to Steelers tight end Vance McDonald while being stiff-armed and allowing McDonald to go for a 75-yard touchdown. The stiff-arm is worthy of many high-light reels this week.

Fantasy Impact

Conte's IDP owners will want to monitor his knee situation. He excited Week Two with the same knee, he might be out for a few weeks or be relegated to less of a role until the knee is better.

As recently reported that rookie safety Jordan Whitehead had stood out in the first preseason game and in practices as well, Chris Conte is now fighting back in an attempt to secure his anticipated full-time role with the first unit defense. Recent reports have Conte, Whitehead, and Justin Evans all have been utilized in practice with the starting unit.

Fantasy Impact

Chris Conte IDP owners should have some real concerns that he can hold on to his full complement of defensive snaps during the games. As the situation stands right now Conte is stepping up in practice but it may just be too late. The rookie Whitehead has apparently made his mark and the momentum is making it hard for Conte to stand fast and hold his status entering camp this season. The outlook at this time could be that his best case scenario would be that Tampa Bay follows suit of the recent trend in the NFL and deploy a large percentage of three safety sets. The battle is far from over, but Conte has only displayed slightly above average results for Tampa Bay in real life over recent years. If Whitehead can show he can be more viable for the team over Conte this could prove to be a real threat for Conte's IDP owners.

Chris Conte recorded nine combined tackles (eight tackles and 1 assisted) in the loss to Carolina in Week 16.

Fantasy Impact

Conte slotted back into his old familiar free safety position this contest with the rookie Justin Evans recently sent to injured reserve. Any IDP owners slotting him into their lineups enjoyed what that free safety position offers for fantasy production. Tampa Bay is one of the few teams that the position holds weekly value. Conte should be in that same position in Week 17 if there are still any fantasy playoffs underway. IDP owners should keep in mind that in 2018 it'll be Justin Evans position to lose, as he had become the preferred play over the season by Tampa Bay.

Conte recorded nine total tackles and one interception in the loss to Carolina Week 8.

Fantasy Impact

Good for Conte owners after spending a few weeks splitting snaps with T.J. Ward at the strong safety and not producing the numbers he had been.

With T.J Ward (hip) and Keith Tandy (hip) both out Tampa Bay choose to move Conte to strong safety and insert rookie Justin Evans into the free safety position. Conte only managed four tackles.

Fantasy Impact

It's a situation Conte owners likely won't want to happen again. The type of defense that Tampa Bay plays is a prime spot for the free safety position. Conte had been the beneficiary of that fact up until this contest. It's a situation going forward that fantasy owners will want to keep up to date on.