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Andrei Iosivas Andrei Iosivas Not targeted in win
Wed, Sep 10, 2025, 4:31 AM
Iosivas was not targeted in Sunday's 17-16 win over the Browns.
Analysis: Iosivas operated as the Bengals' No. 3 wide receiver Sunday, playing 65 percent of the team's offensive snaps. Meanwhile, Cincinnati's top duo at wideout, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, saw snap shares of 87 and 79 percent, respectively. With plenty of mouths to feed on offense in Chase, Higgins, Chase Brown, Noah Fant and Mike Gesicki, Iosivas will be extremely difficult to trust for anything close to consistent fantasy production. Iosivas should remain far off the fantasy radar when the Bengals host the Jaguars in Week 2. |
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Tahj Brooks Tahj Brooks Limited to special teams in debut
Wed, Sep 10, 2025, 4:25 AM
Brooks did not play a single offensive snap in Sunday's 17-16 win over the Browns.
Analysis: Brooks was a complete nonfactor in the Bengals' season opener, failing to earn a single touch in the contest. Instead, the rookie running back was used solely on special teams, playing a total of 12 snaps with the unit. With Chase Brown taking the majority of snaps on offense and Samaje Perine operating as the team's No. 2 option, Brooks faces an uphill battle for playing time barring injuries. The Texas Tech product's next opportunity to get involved will come when the Bengals host the Jaguars in Week 2. |
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Samaje Perine Samaje Perine Targeted twice in Week 1
Wed, Sep 10, 2025, 4:18 AM
Perine caught both of his targets for six yards in Sunday's 17-16 win over the Browns.
Analysis: Operating as the No. 2 running back behind Chase Brown, Perine failed to record a single carry in the contest. The 29-year-old was a distant afterthought in the Bengals' offensive plans, playing just 13 of Cincinnati's 52 offensive snaps, while Brown was on the field for 39 snaps and handled 24 total touches. Barring an injury to Brown, Perine will likely hold very little fantasy value going forward, keeping him off the fantasy radar as anything more than an insurance policy. Next up for the veteran is a Week 2 matchup against the Jaguars. |
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Mike Gesicki Mike Gesicki One grab in win
Wed, Sep 10, 2025, 4:08 AM
Gesicki caught one of three targets for 14 yards in Sunday's 17-16 win over the Browns.
Analysis: Gesicki's quiet start to the season was overshadowed by teammate Noah Fant, as the latter finished the contest with four catches on five targets for 26 yards and a touchdown. The veteran tight end played just 16 of Cincinnati's 52 offensive snaps, behind both Fant (26) and Drew Sample (36). Gesicki should continue to see limited opportunities in the Bengals' passing attack, all but removing him completely from fantasy consideration going forward. The 29-year-old will have his next opportunity to get involved when the Bengals host the Jaguars in Week 2. |
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Noah Fant Noah Fant Finds end zone in Cincy debut
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 11:29 PM
Fant recorded four receptions on five targets for 26 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 17-16 win over the Browns.
Analysis: Fant joined the Bengals in late July and was projected to work behind Mike Gesicki. However, Fant had a significant role in Cincinnati's Week 1 win, as he led the team in targets and receptions. He also accounted for the only receiving score for the team on a one-yard catch late in the second quarter. Fant's usage is likely to decline in future weeks, but this performance at least lands him on the fantasy radar. |
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Tee Higgins Tee Higgins Held to 33 yards
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 4:55 PM
Higgins recorded three receptions on four targets for 33 yards in Sunday's 17-16 win over the Browns.
Analysis: The Cincinnati offense had a surprisingly poor opening performance against the Browns, leading to limited production for all of its skill-position players. Higgins led the team in receiving yards thanks to a 13-yard catch as well as a pair of 10-yard gains, but it was still a disappointing showing. He should remain a key part of Cincinnati's offense and will have a chance to bounce back in Week 2 against the Jaguars. |
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Chase Brown Chase Brown Dominates rushing workload
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 4:44 PM
Brown rushed the ball 21 times for 43 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 17-16 win over the Browns. He added two receptions on three targets for eight yards.
Analysis: The Bengals' offense was sluggish in their Week 1 win, and Brown's performance was a mix of positive and negative. He was very inefficient, averaging only 2.0 yards per carry with a long gain of eight yards. On the other hand, Brown was the only Bengals running back to get a carry, and he also converted a one-yard touchdown at the goal line. While the stat line wasn't particularly strong, Brown's usage will keep him locked in as one of the best fantasy options at the position. |
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Joe Burrow Joe Burrow Only 113 yards against Browns
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 4:35 PM
Burrow completed 14 of 23 passes for 113 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions and rushed twice for three yards in Sunday's 17-16 win over the Browns.
Analysis: Burrow and the Bengals had the ball for only 24:11 and ran just 49 offensive plays. On top of the limited volume, Burrow managed only 5.0 yards per attempt, with his longest completion going for just 20 yards. He did manage to throw a one-yard touchdown to Noah Fant in an otherwise disappointing performance. Burrow should be in for a resurgent showing in Week 2 against Jacksonville. |
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Ja'Marr Chase Ja'Marr Chase Quiet 2025 debut
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 4:10 PM
Chase recorded two receptions on five targets for 26 yards in Sunday's 17-16 win over the Browns.
Analysis: The Bengals managed a surprisingly low 141 net yards, limiting the production of all their skill-position players. Chase tied for the team lead with five targets -- Joe Burrow attempted only 23 passes -- and also was responsible for the team's longest play from scrimmage on a 20-yard catch midway through the second quarter. While it was a disappointing start to the season, Chase and the entire Cincinnati offense should produce better in Week 2 against Jacksonville. |
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Cam Grandy Cam Grandy Won't play Week 1
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 11:36 AM
Grandy (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Browns.
Analysis: Grandy will be a healthy scratch for Week 1 while the Bengals go with Noah Fant, Drew Sample and Tanner Hudson as the backup tight ends behind Mike Gesicki. Grandy's next opportunity to see regular-season action is Week 2 against the Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 14. |
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Jermaine Burton Jermaine Burton Surprise Week 1 scratch
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 10:45 AM
Burton (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Browns, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Burton had a tumultuous rookie season but had gotten strong reviews for improvement throughout the offseason. That makes it particularly surprising that he'll be inactive for Week 1, though Charlie Jones and Mitchell Tinsley -- both active-- are set to serve as depth wide receivers and special teams contributors on Sunday. |
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Drew Sample Drew Sample All set for Week 1
Wed, Sep 3, 2025, 6:41 PM
Sample (undisclosed) did not appear on the Bengals' injury report Wednesday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Sample suffered an undisclosed injury during the preseason, but he now appears to be back to full health. The tight end will operate as a depth option behind Mike Gesicki and Noah Fant in Sunday's regular-season opener against the Browns. |
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Jermaine Burton Jermaine Burton Healthy for Week 1
Wed, Sep 3, 2025, 6:37 PM
Burton (knee) did not appear on the Bengals' injury report Wednesday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Burton suffered a knee injury in the team's preseason finale against the Colts, but he now appears to be a full go at practice. The wide receiver will operate as a depth option behind Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Andrei Iosivas in Sunday's regular-season opener against the Browns. |
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Mike Gesicki Mike Gesicki No longer dealing with injury
Wed, Sep 3, 2025, 3:50 PM
Gesicki (hamstring) is not listed on Wednesday's injury report, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Gesicki missed much of August due to a hamstring injury, which gave Noah Fant an opportunity to handle expanded first-team reps at tight end, but he's back to full health ahead of Sunday's regular-season opener on the road against Cleveland. With premier target hogs Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins atop the wide receiver depth chart, and backfield mates Chase Brown and Samaje Perine both boasting a three-down skillset, Gesicki has a difficult path to earning consistent target volume on a weekly basis, especially with Fant now offering competition. He is still, however, the favorite to lead the Bengals' tight end position in targets after having inked a three-year, $25.5 million extension with the team this offseason. |
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Erick All Erick All Placed on reserve/PUP list
Tue, Aug 26, 2025, 8:47 PM
The Bengals placed All (knee) on the reserve/PUP list Tuesday.
Analysis: The move technically means that All would be eligible to return after missing a minimum of four regular-season games. However, the 2024 fourth-rounder is not expected to play in 2025 while recovering from a torn ACL in his right knee that he suffered in Week 9 of his rookie season. He's suffered the same injury to his right knee twice in the last two seasons dating back to his final year at Iowa, so the Bengals will take All's rehab cautiously, with the hope that he will be fully healthy for 2026. |
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Jermaine Burton Jermaine Burton Injures knee in preseason game
Sat, Aug 23, 2025, 4:15 PM
Burton injured his knee during Saturday's preseason loss to the Colts, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Burton missed some recent practices and didn't play in Cincinnati's second preseason game, dealing with an undisclosed injury. It turns out his knee was the problem, and he may have aggravated it Saturday afternoon. Either way, his presence on the field with second- and third-stringers Saturday isn't a good sign for Week 1 involvement on offense. Charlie Jones and/or Mitchell Tinsley may be ahead of Burton on the depth chart, in which case Burton's best chance at contributing would be returns on special teams. |
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Jermaine Burton Jermaine Burton Nearing return
Wed, Aug 20, 2025, 1:41 PM
Burton (undisclosed) is considered day-to-day and making good progress, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The Bengals held Burton out of their second preseason game due to an unspecified injury. He mostly worked with the second-string offense during the preseason opener, also returning kickoffs and punts. There hasn't been much sign of Burton challenging Andrei Iosivas for the No. 3 receiver job, but the 2024 third-round pick could have a role as a return specialist and occasional depth chart if he proves his health before Week 1. |
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Mike Gesicki Mike Gesicki Should return soon
Wed, Aug 20, 2025, 1:38 PM
Gesicki (hamstring) is nearing a return and might be able to play if the Bengals had a regular-season game coming up this weekend, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Gesicki presumably will be held out of the preseason finale, but it sounds like he'll return to practice with plenty of time to gear up for a Week 1 game at Cleveland. While recent addition Noah Fant is a threat to take some of the snaps that he handled last season, Gesicki remains a clear favorite to lead Cincinnati's tight ends in routes and targets, having signed a three-year, $25.5 million contract in March (after catching 65 passes last season). |
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Drew Sample Drew Sample Dealing with minor injury
Wed, Aug 20, 2025, 1:32 PM
Sample is considered day-to-day with an unspecified injury, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Sample presumably was injured during Monday's preseason win over Washington. He got some first-team snaps in the game, rotating with Noah Fant and Tanner Hudson at tight end, while Mike Gesicki (hamstring) was unavailable. With Gesicki said to be nearing a return, there's not much room for the other tight ends to see enough targets for fantasy relevance. Fant and Hudson offer more pass-catching potential than Sample, in any case, considering the seventh-year Bengal has 100 catches and just four TDs in 78 regular-season games. It sounds like Sample's injury isn't considered serious, potentially allowing him to fill his usual block-first role come Week 1 at Cleveland. |
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Tee Higgins Tee Higgins Held out for preseason finale
Wed, Aug 20, 2025, 1:25 PM
Higgins and other key players aren't scheduled to play in Saturday's preseason finale against Indianapolis, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Analysis: The starters got run in the first two preseason games, with Joe Burrow leading Cincinnati to four touchdowns on five drives. Higgins didn't play quite as much as his quarterback, and he finished the preseason with just one incomplete target. The important thing is that Higgins stayed healthy throughout the offseason program and training camp, after missing a handful of games each of the past two seasons. The Bengals will open their 2025 campaign with a 1 p.m. ET kickoff at Cleveland on Sun., Sept. 7. |
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