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Mitch Tinsley Mitch Tinsley Hauls in late TD in Sunday's loss
Sun, Nov 23, 2025, 4:38 PM
Tinsley caught two of six targets for 29 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 26-20 loss to the Patriots.
Analysis: With Ja'Marr Chase serving a one-game suspension and Tee Higgins (concussion) getting knocked out of the game late, Tinsley ended up doubling his target total on the season while hauling in his second TD of 2025 on a 17-yard toss from Joe Flacco. The Bengals' passing game could look very different in Week 13 if Joe Burrow (toe) is ready to return, but a potential Higgins absence could leave Tinsley with a larger role than usual once again in a Thanksgiving tilt against the Ravens. |
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Mike Gesicki Mike Gesicki Four catches in return
Sun, Nov 23, 2025, 4:34 PM
Gesicki caught four of six targets for 35 yards in Sunday's 26-20 loss to the Patriots.
Analysis: Making his return from a four-game absence due to a pectoral strain, Gesicki paced Cincinnati tight ends in volume, as Noah Fant, Tanner Hudson and Drew Sample each had just one catch and none topped nine yards. The Bengals' passing game could look very different in Week 13 if Joe Burrow (toe) is ready to return, but with Tee Higgins (concussion) potentially unavailable, there could be targets available once again for Gesicki in a Thanksgiving clash with the Ravens. Through seven appearances this season, he's managed a 12-96-0 line on 22 targets. |
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Andrei Iosivas Andrei Iosivas Leading receiver in Week 12 loss
Sun, Nov 23, 2025, 4:28 PM
Iosivas caught four of seven targets for 61 yards in Sunday's 26-20 loss to the Patriots. He added five rushing yards on his lone carry.
Analysis: While Tee Higgins (concussion) led Cincinnati with five catches, Iosivas paced the team in receiving yards and was on the other end of Joe Flacco's longest completion of the day at 19 yards. The team's passing game could look very different in Week 13 if Joe Burrow (toe) is ready to return and Ja'Marr Chase having served his one-game suspension, but Iosivas could still operate as the team's No. 2 wideout for a Thanksgiving clash with the Ravens if Higgins remains in the concussion protocol. Through 11 games this season, Iosivas has a 23-317-1 line on 42 targets. |
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Chase Brown Chase Brown Reaches century mark again
Sun, Nov 23, 2025, 4:20 PM
Brown carried the ball 19 times for 107 yards and caught two of four targets for 23 yards in Sunday's 26-20 loss to the Patriots.
Analysis: The 130 scrimmage yards were a season high for Brown, who ran for at least 100 yards for the second time in 11 games and recorded at least 100 scrimmage yards for the fifth straight contest. The third-year back has piled up 424 rushing yards and 150 receiving yards during that hot streak while scoring two TDs, one on the ground and one through the air. Brown and the entire Bengals offense could get a boost in Week 13 if Joe Burrow (toe) is able to return for a Thanksgiving game against the Ravens. |
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Joe Flacco Joe Flacco Quiet day in loss to Pats
Sun, Nov 23, 2025, 4:15 PM
Flacco completed 19 of 37 passing for 183 yards and a touchdown with an interception in Sunday's 26-20 loss to the Patriots. He added three yards on his lone carry.
Analysis: The 40-year-old quarterback was held in check most of the day by the New England defense, but Flacco did find Mitchell Tinsley for a 17-yard score with less than five minutes left in the fourth quarter as the Bengals tried to mound a comeback. Flacco did leave the game briefly just prior to tossing the TD in order to to get checked out for a finger issue, but his health may not be a major concern for the Bengals in Week 13 if Joe Burrow (toe) is ready to return for a Thanksgiving clash with the Ravens. In six games for Cincinnati this season, Flacco compiled 1,636 passing yards with a 13:4 TD:INT. |
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Tee Higgins Tee Higgins Sustains concussion Sunday
Sun, Nov 23, 2025, 3:05 PM
Higgins won't return to Sunday's game against the Patriots after sustaining a concussion.
Analysis: Prior to being carted off the field, Higgins caught five of his six targets for 31 yards. With Ja'Marr Chase (suspension) unavailable, the Bengals' WR depth is being put to the test as Sunday's game winds down. Higgins will now look to gain medical clearance ahead of Thursday's contest against the Ravens. |
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Tahj Brooks Tahj Brooks Enters concussion protocol
Sun, Nov 23, 2025, 2:20 PM
Brooks has been diagnosed with a concussion and will not return to Sunday's game against the Patriots, Jay Morrison of SI.com reports.
Analysis: Brooks has entered the league's concussion protocol after being evaluated by medical staff and will not return. Practice squad running back Gary Brightwell will serve as Chase Brown's backup the rest of the way due to the absences of Brooks and Samaje Perine (ankle). Looking ahead, Brooks is in jeopardy of being sidelined for the Bengals' Thanksgiving Day clash against the Ravens. |
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Tahj Brooks Tahj Brooks Possible concussion
Sun, Nov 23, 2025, 1:57 PM
Brooks is being evaluated for a possible concussion and is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Patriots.
Analysis: Brooks appeared to get shaken up on the opening kickoff of the second half and is being evaluated by medical staff to determine whether he can return. With Samaje Perine (ankle) inactive, practice squad running back Gary Brightwell will provide backfield depth behind Chase Brown for as long as Brooks is out of the game. |
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Samaje Perine Samaje Perine Missing second straight game
Sun, Nov 23, 2025, 10:41 AM
Perine (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Patriots.
Analysis: Listed as doubtful heading into Sunday after failing to practice in any fashion this week, Perine will unsurprisingly wind up missing a second straight game. His absence will clear the way for Tahj Brooks to serve as the No. 2 running back behind starter Chase Brown, who should continue to see increased involvement on passing downs sans Perine. |
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Gary Brightwell Gary Brightwell Elevated off practice squad
Sat, Nov 22, 2025, 3:38 PM
Brightwell was elevated from the Bengals' practice squad Saturday.
Analysis: Brightwell has been on Cincinnati's practice squad since August. He is expected to play a depth role for the Bengals in Week 12, as fellow running back Samaje Perine is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Patriots. The 26-year-old Brightwell will play behind starter Chase Brown and Tahj Brooks. |
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Joe Flacco Joe Flacco Set to start Sunday
Sat, Nov 22, 2025, 8:56 AM
Flacco is set to start Sunday against New England with the Bengals deciding to keep Joe Burrow (toe) on injured reserve for another game, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Burrow was able to practice all week and thus had a chance to be activated from injured reserve. However, the Bengals have decided to give him four more days of rest, so Flacco will be under center against New England while Jake Browning serves as the backup. Flacco will be without Ja'Marr Chase (suspension) for Sunday's game, which makes Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas, Noah Fant and Mike Gesicki his top pass catchers, with Chase Brown also in the mix for targets out of the backfield. In the event that Burrow is activated ahead of Week 13 action, Flacco would be in line to head to the bench for Thursday's Thanksgiving game against Baltimore. |
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Joe Burrow Joe Burrow Will not play Sunday
Sat, Nov 22, 2025, 8:50 AM
Burrow (toe) will not be activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game against the Patriots, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Joe Flacco will start against New England as a result. Burrow underwent surgery Sept. 21 to address the Grade 3 turf toe injury that he suffered in Week 2. Initially, he was believed to be facing a three-month recovery, but he's now put together two weeks of practice since the Bengals designated him for return from injured reserve Nov. 10. Burrow will likely make his return for the Bengals' Thanksgiving game against the Ravens on Thursday. |
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Joe Flacco Joe Flacco Week 12 starting QB TBD
Fri, Nov 21, 2025, 2:54 PM
Flacco (right shoulder) doesn't carry an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Patriots.
Analysis: Flacco was limited at practice Wednesday and Thursday, but a full session Friday paves the way for him to be available versus New England. However, whether he starts Sunday has yet to be determined, with the Week 12 status of Joe Burrow (toe) -- who is still on IR and listed as questionable after a limited practice Friday -- yet to be determined, per Ben Baby of ESPN.com. With that in mind, coach Zac Taylor said, "We'll take the time we've got, assess all the practice we've had this week," while adding that "(Burrow's) done everything he can to try to put himself and get ready to go. Now I have to make a decision on what we do." Either way, added context regarding Cincinnati's QB situation will arrive no later than Saturday afternoon, which is the deadline for the team to activate Burrow off IR this week. |
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Joe Burrow Joe Burrow Limited Friday, questionable for Sunday
Fri, Nov 21, 2025, 2:51 PM
Burrow (toe) was limited at Friday's practice and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots.
Analysis: Burrow underwent surgery on Sept. 21 to address the Grade 3 turf toe injury that he suffered Week 2. Initially, he was believed to be facing a three-month recovery, but he's now put together two weeks of practice since the Bengals designated him for return from injured reserve Nov. 10. Prior to Friday's capped session, Burrow logged full practices Wednesday and Thursday, while Joe Flacco, the other QB in the conversation for the Week 12 start, followed an LP/LP/FP practice regimen this week and doesn't have a designation. Speaking on the eventual decision, coach Zac Taylor told Ben Baby of ESPN.com on Friday that the Bengals will "take the time we've got, assess all the practice we've had this week. He's done everything he can to try to put himself and get ready to go." Cincinnati will need to activate Burrow from IR by Saturday afternoon in order for him to have a chance to be active ahead of Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. |
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Samaje Perine Samaje Perine Officially doubtful for Week 12
Fri, Nov 21, 2025, 2:40 PM
Perine (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Patriots.
Analysis: Perine's doubtful designation was expected based on reporting from earlier in the week. He sprained his ankle in Week 9 against the Bears and hasn't played since. Chase Brown will likely maintain a near-monopoly on Cincinnati's backfield touches Sunday, with Tahj Brooks as the next man up if Perine's ruled out. |
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Mike Gesicki Mike Gesicki Comes off IR
Fri, Nov 21, 2025, 1:46 PM
The Bengals activated Gesicki (pectoral) from injured reserve Friday.
Analysis: Since injuring his pectoral Week 6 at Green Bay, Gesicki has missed the requisite four games on IR, and his ability to practice in full Wednesday and Thursday was enough for Cincinnati to bring him back to the active roster ahead of the weekend. He thus will be among the top TE options along with Noah Fant for whoever is helming the offense Sunday against the Patriots. Those options include Joe Burrow (toe, IR) and Joe Flacco (right shoulder). |
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Joe Burrow Joe Burrow Week 12 status TBD
Fri, Nov 21, 2025, 11:31 AM
Burrow (toe) will be listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Analysis: Coach Zac Taylor noted that at this stage the Bengals have yet to determine their Week 12 starter at QB. In any case, in order for Burrow to have a chance to face New England on Sunday, he would have to be activated from IR by Saturday afternoon. If Burrow isn't ready to return to the lineup, however, Joe Flacco (right shoulder) would be in line to get the nod versus the Patriots, assuming he's available after being limited at practice Wednesday and Thursday. |
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Joe Flacco Joe Flacco Another limited practice
Thu, Nov 20, 2025, 3:35 PM
Flacco (right shoulder) was limited at practice Thursday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Flacco also was limited Wednesday, but at this stage there's no reason to think he'll be unavailable Sunday against the Patriots. However, with Joe Burrow (toe) having logged his second straight full practice, while taking snaps with the first-team offense in the process, per Adam Schefter of ESPN, it's uncertain if Flacco will continue as the Bengals' starting QB this weekend, with that assignment (or lack thereof) hinging on whether Burrow is deemed fit for his first game action since Week 2. |
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Joe Burrow Joe Burrow Reps with first team Thursday
Thu, Nov 20, 2025, 3:22 PM
Burrow (toe) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
Analysis: While Burrow's ability to practice without any restrictions for the second day in a row was noteworthy enough in itself, perhaps the more important takeaway from Thursday's session was that he took all of his reps with first-team offense in the portion that was open to the media, per Ben Baby of ESPN.com. Meanwhile, Joe Flacco (shoulder) - who had started each of the past five games - was listed as a limited participant and worked behind Burrow during individual drills, ostensibly as the Bengals' No. 2 quarterback. Prior to practice, head coach Zac Taylor was non-committal about the franchise signal-caller being activated from injured reserve for Week 12, but Burrow certainly would appear to have a strong chance at returning to the lineup this Sunday against New England. The Bengals will wait and see how Burrow's surgically-repaired left big toe responds to a third straight day of practice Friday before providing an update on his status heading into the weekend. |
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Joe Burrow Joe Burrow Status up in air for Week 12
Thu, Nov 20, 2025, 8:30 AM
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor was unwilling to make a firm commitment Thursday when asked whether Burrow (toe) will play Sunday versus the Patriots, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. "I'm not there yet," Taylor said.
Analysis: Burrow was listed as a full participant at practice Wednesday and took part in 11-on-11 drills. Rapoport relays that Burrow's activity level Thursday will be crucial in determining his availability for Sunday. If Burrow is able to log two straight full sessions without any soreness or setbacks, it will be a strong sign that the star quarterback's recovery from Sept. 19 surgery to address a Grade 3 sprain of the big toe on his left foot has gone smoothly enough for him to return to game action. Cincinnati's coaching staff has explicitly refrained from ruling Burrow out for Sunday, but it sounds as though more information on his chances of returning may not arrive until after the team's final practice of the week Friday. |
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