| News |
|---|
|
Trayveon Williams Trayveon Williams Zero carries all season
Thu, Jan 9, 2025, 1:12 PM
Williams played just one offensive snap in the Bengals' season finale against the Steelers and didn't have a carry or target, despite Chase Brown sitting the game out.
Analysis: In fact, Williams didn't net a single carry nor target all season long, playing just 10 offensive snaps all season. He last had a kickoff return in Week 4 against the Panthers. Unless the Bengals value his kick and punt coverage, he's unlikely to be a part of their future. |
|
Tanner Hudson Tanner Hudson Sparsely used
Thu, Jan 9, 2025, 12:49 PM
Hudson played just three offensive snaps in the Bengals' season-ending win over the Steelers, catching one pass for 11 yards.
Analysis: Hudson was squarely behind Mike Gesicki and Drew Sample at tight end on the Bengals' depth chart. He caught 19 passes for 154 yards and a touchdown over 11 games, falling off quite a bit from 2023 when he had more than twice as many targets. Gesicki stayed relatively healthy this season, as opposed to 2023, when Irv Smith's extended absences afforded Hudson more opportunity. |
|
Drew Sample Drew Sample Four receptions in finale
Thu, Jan 9, 2025, 12:47 PM
Sample tied a season-high with four catches in Saturday's Week 18 win over the Steelers, netting just 14 yards. For the season Sample caught 20 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown across 17 games.
Analysis: Sample has been a blocking-first tight end for most of his career, dating back to his college days at the University of Washington. This season falls sharply in line with his career production. |
|
Gary Brightwell Gary Brightwell Staying in Cincinnati
Tue, Jan 7, 2025, 4:38 PM
The Bengals signed Brightwell to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.
Analysis: Brightwell began the 2024 regular season on the Browns' active roster, playing in Week 3 and 4 and posting 36 kick-return yards while contributing exclusively on special teams. He was cut from Cleveland's active roster Oct. 1, and after two separate stints on the Browns' practice squad, he opted to sign with the Bengals' practice squad Nov. 11. He didn't end up playing for Cincinnati during the regular season, but he will be part of the Bengals' 90-man roster once the league year starts March 12. |
|
Tee Higgins Tee Higgins Tending to high-ankle sprain
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 6:39 AM
Higgins disclosed after exiting in the second half of Saturday's 19-17 win over the Steelers that he is tending to a left high-ankle sprain, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: Higgins has taken questionable tags into the Bengals' past two games with both ankle and knee injury, though it's the former issue that has been the greater concern. Despite managing the high-ankle sprain, Higgins produced a monstrous 11-131-3 line on 12 targets in a Week 17 overtime win over Denver, but he was limited to four catches for 53 yards on five targets while playing 50 of 74 offensive snaps Saturday before seemingly aggravating the injury late in the contest and not returning. Higgins said after Saturday's game that he plans to play through the ankle injury if Cincinnati clinches a spot on the postseason, with the Bengals needing a Broncos loss to the Chiefs plus a Dolphins loss or tie against the Jets on Sunday to secure a wild-card berth. |
|
Mike Gesicki Mike Gesicki Steps up in short-handed attack
Sat, Jan 4, 2025, 10:53 PM
Gesicki secured eight of 10 targets for 68 yards in the Bengals' 19-17 win over the Steelers on Saturday night.
Analysis: Gesicki finished second in receptions, receiving yards and targets behind Ja'Marr Chase, as Tee Higgins' early exit due to an ankle injury helped boost the veteran tight end's involvement. Gesicki finished the regular season with a combined 18-154 line on 22 targets over the last two games, and his final 65-665-2 tally across 17 regular-season games featured his best catch and yardage totals since his 2021 season with Dolphins. If the Bengals are able to squeak into the postseason with a Broncos loss and Dolphins loss or tie Sunday, Gesicki figures to remain a solid complementary component of the air attack irrespective of Higgins' availability. |
|
Khalil Herbert Khalil Herbert Solid in spot start Saturday
Sat, Jan 4, 2025, 10:44 PM
Herbert rushed 20 times for 69 yards and brought in seven of eight targets for 14 yards in the Bengals' 19-17 win over the Steelers on Saturday night.
Analysis: Herbert got the spot start with Chase Brown (ankle) sidelined and shouldered quite the heavy workload after having combined for just eight carries since arriving in Cincinnati via trade with the Bears. Herbert unsurprisingly found tough sledding on the ground against the Steelers, but he was a steady presence in the passing game and finished third on the team in receptions and targets. If the Bengals are able to make their way into the postseason with help Sunday, Herbert would be in line to draw another start in the wild-card round if Brown remains sidelined. |
|
Ja'Marr Chase Ja'Marr Chase Paces pass catchers in win
Sat, Jan 4, 2025, 10:39 PM
Chase secured 10 of 14 targets for 96 yards and a touchdown in the Bengals' 19-17 win over the Steelers on Saturday night.
Analysis: Chase led the Bengals in receptions, receiving yards and targets on the night, although he worked for everything he got while averaging just 9.6 yards per grab. The star wideout also recorded his career-high 17th touchdown reception of the season on a 12-yard grab that capped the opening possession of the game, and his involvement also was boosted by the early exit of Tee Higgins (ankle). The Bengals still need a Broncos loss and Dolphins loss or tie Sunday in order to qualify for the postseason, but irrespective of whether or not Cincinnati earns a playoff spot, Chase made an airtight case for his long sought-after extension by posting a career-best 127-1,708-17 line over 17 regular-season games. |
|
Joe Burrow Joe Burrow Grinds out critical victory
Sat, Jan 4, 2025, 10:34 PM
Burrow completed 37 of 46 passes for 277 yards with one touchdown and one interception and rushed once for minus-1 yard in the Bengals' 19-17 win over the Steelers on Saturday night. He also fumbled once but possession remained with Cincinnati.
Analysis: Burrow fought through a typical AFC North slugfest against the aggressive Steelers defense, which sacked him four times. One of those takedowns in the third quarter caused Burrow's helmet to be driven into the ground and led to a concussion check, but the star signal-caller did not miss any time. Burrow connected with eight different pass catchers overall on the night, and although he saw an eight-game streak of multiple touchdown passes snapped, he kept the Bengals' slim playoff hopes, which now hinge on a loss by the Broncos and a loss or tie by the Dolphins on Sunday, alive. Burrow finishes the 2024 regular season with a career-high 4,918 passing yards and 43 passing touchdowns across 17 games. |
|
Tee Higgins Tee Higgins Questionable to return Saturday
Sat, Jan 4, 2025, 9:25 PM
Higgins is questionable to return to Saturday night's game against the Steelers due to an ankle injury.
Analysis: Higgins came into Week 18 with an ankle injury but was deemed active after being listed as questionable to play. Prior to leaving at the end of the third quarter, Higgins caught four of five targets for 53 scoreless yards. If Higgins is unable to return, the offense should funnel even more through Ja'Marr Chase, while Andrei Iosivas, Isaiah Williams and Kendric Pryor round out the remainder of Cincinnati's wide receiver depth chart. |
|
Khalil Herbert Khalil Herbert In line for leading role Saturday
Sat, Jan 4, 2025, 6:00 PM
Herbert is in line to be the Bengals' primary running back Saturday in Pittsburgh with Chase Brown (ankle) inactive for that contest, Geoff Hobson of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Brown won't suit up one week removed from spraining his right ankle during last Saturday's overtime win against the Broncos. Since joining the Bengals at the trade deadline, Herbert has received spot duty in seven consecutive games prior to this Week 18 matchup, turning eight carries into 45 yards (5.6 YPC) and gathering in his only target for seven yards. Considering Cincinnati's other available RBs on Saturday are Trayveon Williams (no touches in 16 games) and undrafted rookie Kendall Milton (one appearance this season), Herbert appears poised to operate as a workhorse for a high-powered offense. |
|
Charlie Jones Charlie Jones Won't play against Pittsburgh
Sat, Jan 4, 2025, 5:48 PM
Jones (groin) is inactive for Saturday's game against the Steelers.
Analysis: Jones was limited in practice all week due to a groin injury, and it appears he hasn't progressed enough in his recovery to play in Saturday's regular-season finale. He'll end the regular season with one catch for five yards across eight games. Kendric Pryor and Isaiah Williams will serve as Cincinnati's return options on kickoffs and punts due to Jones' absence. |
|
Drew Sample Drew Sample Good to go against Pittsburgh
Sat, Jan 4, 2025, 5:45 PM
Sample (groin) is active for Saturday's game against the Steelers.
Analysis: Sample was expected to play in Saturday's regular-season finale despite missing practice all week due to a groin injury. Sample will serve as the Bengals' No. 2 tight end behind Mike Gesicki. |
|
Tee Higgins Tee Higgins Active again Saturday
Sat, Jan 4, 2025, 5:37 PM
Higgins (ankle/knee) is listed as active Saturday at Pittsburgh.
Analysis: Higgins tended to ankle and knee injuries for a second straight week, and a questionable designation for Week 18 action followed three consecutive limited listings on Bengals practice reports. He again will play through those health concerns, and if his performance (11-131-3 on 12 targets) last Saturday against the Broncos is any indication, he's in tune with QB Joe Burrow at the moment, even if Higgins is operating at less than 100 percent. Higgins will be taking on a Steelers defense this Saturday that has given up the 11th-most YPT (8.22) to opposing wide receivers this season. |
|
Chase Brown Chase Brown Officially inactive Saturday
Sat, Jan 4, 2025, 5:35 PM
Brown (ankle) is inactive for Saturday's game at Pittsburgh.
Analysis: Brown suffered a right ankle sprain near the end of regulation of last Saturday's overtime win versus the Broncos. Despite the running back not practicing during Week 18 prep, there was some hope that he'd be available this Saturday, as offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher noted to Ben Baby of ESPN.com on Monday. Officially listed as questionable, Brown's availability was subject to a game-day decision, per Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer via coach Zac Taylor. During his pregame warmup, Brown's right ankle was heavily taped, per Bridget Condon of NFL Network, but his attempts to cut on the ankle seemingly didn't go well, according to Condon. With his lack of availability now confirmed for Saturday's contest, Brown will hand off the Bengals backfield to Khalil Herbert, who will be backed up by Trayveon Williams and Kendall Milton. |
|
Chase Brown Chase Brown Trending toward absence Saturday
Sat, Jan 4, 2025, 5:20 PM
Brown (ankle) isn't expected to play Saturday at Pittsburgh, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: Brown emerged from last Saturday's overtime victory against the Broncos with a sprained right ankle, which didn't allow him to practice during Week 18 prep. Still, the Bengals gave him a chance to suit up this weekend by listing him as questionable on their final injury report Thursday. In the end, Brown went through a pregame workout that may not have gone well when he attempted to cut, per Bridget Condon of NFL Network. Cincinnati will confirm Brown's status once the team posts its inactive list about 90 minutes before an 8:00 p.m. ET kickoff, but it appears as if Khalil Herbert will be the Bengals' lead running back Saturday. |
|
Tee Higgins Tee Higgins Should suit up Saturday
Fri, Jan 3, 2025, 7:09 PM
Higgins (ankle/knee) is expected to be available for Saturday's game at Pittsburgh, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: For a second week in a row, Higgins is listed as questionable after being listed as limited on all three of the Bengals' practice reports due to ankle and knee injuries. The health concerns didn't stop him from running roughshod over the Broncos this past Saturday to the tune of 11 catches (on 12 targets) for 131 yards and three touchdowns. Assuming he gets the all-clear to play this Saturday when the Bengals post their list of inactives about 90 minutes before an 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, he'll again join forces with QB Joe Burrow and WR Ja'Marr Chase to form what has been one of the most productive passing attacks down the stretch this season. |
|
Jermaine Burton Jermaine Burton Won't travel to Pittsburgh
Fri, Jan 3, 2025, 3:12 PM
Burton (coach's decision) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Steelers, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Analysis: Burton won't even travel with the team to Pittsburgh, and it seems as if he's being punished for some sort of off-the-field incident. It's the third time this season that the third-round rookie will be a healthy inactive. Burton will close out the regular season having caught just four of 14 targets for 107 scoreless yards. He also returned 13 kickoffs for 378 yards. Perhaps Burton can get back on the field next week if the Bengals sneak into the playoffs. |
|
Drew Sample Drew Sample Expected to play against Steelers
Thu, Jan 2, 2025, 4:24 PM
Sample (groin) is listed as questionable for Saturday night's game against Pittsburgh.
Analysis: Head coach Zac Taylor relayed Thursday that Sample is expected to play despite missing practice all week due to a groin injury, per Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic. In the five games since the Bengals' Week 12 bye, Sample has caught seven passes on as many targets for 44 yards while serving as the No. 2 tight end behind Mike Gesicki. Tanner Hudson would see an increased snap count on offense if Sample was limited in his playing time or ruled out entirely. |
|
Charlie Jones Charlie Jones Questionable for Week 18
Thu, Jan 2, 2025, 4:21 PM
Jones (groin) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Steelers.
Analysis: Jones has been sidelined since Week 8 due to a groin injury, but he has a chance to return for Saturday's AFC North clash after logging limited practices all week. Given the playoff implications, Jones might suit up for the Bengals' regular-season finale even if he isn't at 100 percent health. Jermaine Burton and Isaiah Williams would continue to serve as Cincinnati's kickoff and punt returners, respectively, if Jones is not cleared to play. |
Connect With Us:
