| News |
|---|
|
Tending to knee issue
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 7:13 PM
Allen (knee) did not participate at practice Wednesday.
Analysis: It's not immediately clear when Allen picked up the knee injury, but his availability for Week 3 is now in question. He'll probably need to return to practice Thursday or Friday to have a realistic chance of suiting up Sunday at Pittsburgh. |
|
Andrei Iosivas Andrei Iosivas Needs thumb surgery, bound for IR
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 12:29 PM
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said Wednesday that Iosivas tore a ligament in his thumb and will be placed on injured reserve, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, Iosivas will require surgery to address the injury and is expected to need 4-to-6 weeks to make a full recovery. The Bengals' No. 3 wideout, Iosivas played more than half of the team's offensive snaps in both of the first two games of the season but has totaled just three receptions for 19 yards on four targets. |
|
Erick All Jr. Erick All Jr. Catches two passes in win
Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 10:36 PM
All notched two receptions (on three targets) for five yards during Sunday's 20-6 win versus the Texans.
Analysis: All logged 25 offensive snaps in Week 2, ending behind Drew Sample (36) and Mike Gesicki (21). After not seeing any attention from Joe Burrow in the 33-27 win over the Buccaneers in Week 1, the 26-year-old was targeted three times versus the Texans, catching two passes for five yards. All finished his rookie campaign with 20 receptions for 158 yards. He didn't play in 2025 due to a knee injury. While All should be on the field from week-to-week, assuming he stays healthy, he likely won't do anything meaningful for fantasy managers, especially with Gesicki, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Chase Brown in the equation. |
|
Drew Sample Drew Sample Not targeted in Week 2
Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 10:24 PM
Sample notched zero targets during Sunday's 20-6 victory over the Texans.
Analysis: Sample logged 36 snaps on offense in the win over Houston, finishing ahead of Erick All (25) and Mike Gesicki (21). However, after catching three passes in the 33-27 victory over the Buccaneers in Week 1, he wasn't targeted in Week 2. The 30-year-old veteran has spent his entire career with the Bengals since entering the NFL in 2019, most recently finishing the 2025 campaign with 15 catches (20 targets) for 106 yards and one touchdown. While Sample could find the end zone at some point this season, he's not expected to play a pivotal role on the receiving end. That likely won't change even if Gesicki or All aren't available, considering Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Chase Brown should continue doing most of the heavy lifting on offense. |
|
Five takedowns in win
Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 9:13 PM
Carter registered five total tackles (two solo) during Sunday's 20-6 win over the Texans.
Analysis: Carter was able to finish tied for fourth on the team in takedowns with cornerback DJ Turner, and one of his tackles was for a loss. The linebacker has played every defensive snap with the Bengals this season, and he figures to be on track for a big year if his workload remains that high. |
|
Secures two sacks in win
Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 9:05 PM
Johnson recorded four total tackles (three solo), including 2.0 sacks, during Sunday's 20-6 win over Houston.
Analysis: Johnson was able to get to C.J. Stroud for a pair of sacks in the fourth quarter, and he has already matched his career high with 2.0 sacks this season. The defensive lineman was only on the field for 30 percent of the team's defensive snaps against Houston, and he's unlikely to repeat his performance Week 3 versus the Steelers. |
|
Double-digit stops in win
Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 8:57 PM
Hill recorded 10 total tackles (four solo) and four passes defensed during Sunday's 20-6 win over the Texans.
Analysis: Hill was able to have a rather productive day in Week 2, finishing second on the team in takedowns behind linebacker Demetrius Knight (12), while also securing a career-high four passes defensed. The cornerback has now registered 17 total tackles (11 solo) and four passes defensed over two games to open the 2026 campaign. |
|
Notches 12 takedowns in victory
Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 8:53 PM
Knight recorded 12 total tackles (four solo) during Sunday's 20-6 win over Houston.
Analysis: Knight was able to lead the team in takedowns as he continued his hot start to the season versus the Texans. The linebacker has now registered 19 total tackles (nine solo) and a fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown over two contests to open the 2026 campaign. |
|
Andrei Iosivas Andrei Iosivas Logs one catch vs. Houston
Mon, Sep 21, 2026, 5:01 PM
Iosivas caught his lone target for seven yards during the Bengals' 20-6 win over the Texans on Sunday.
Analysis: Iosivas' lone target from Joe Burrow took place early in the third quarter and set up Evan McPherson to connect on a 51-yard field goal on the next play to put the Bengals up 10-3. Iosivas' 32 offensive snaps were third-most among wide receivers, but he is very clearly behind Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Chase Brown and Mike Gesicki in the pecking order for passes from Burrow. Iosivas will take a 3-19-0 receiving line (on four targets) into the Bengals' Week 3 road clash against the Steelers on Sept. 27. |
|
Samaje Perine Samaje Perine Only three touches in Week 2 win
Mon, Sep 21, 2026, 4:54 PM
Perine logged two carries for six yards and hauled in his lone target for 16 yards during the Bengals' 20-6 win over the Texans on Sunday.
Analysis: Perine's three touches were well behind starter Chase Brown's 25, with the former playing 24 of 60 offensive snaps (40.0 percent). Perine's 16-yard catch midway through the third quarter converted a third-and-7 for the Bengals and led to an 18-yard touchdown pass from Joe Burrow to Ja'Marr Chase five plays later. Perine is up to 72 scrimmage yards through two regular-season games and is firmly entrenched as the Bengals' RB2 behind Brown. Up next is a Week 3 AFC North tilt against the Steelers, whose defense gave gave up 119 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries between TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson in a Week 2 loss to the Patriots. |
|
Mike Gesicki Mike Gesicki Goose egg in Week 2 win
Mon, Sep 21, 2026, 3:57 PM
Gesicki wasn't targeted in Sunday's 20-6 win over the Texans.
Analysis: One week after leading the team in receiving with a 5-78-1 line on seven targets against the Bucs, Gesicki laid an egg against Houston. He played just 21 of 60 offensive snaps, fewer than both Drew Sample (36) and Erick All (25) at tight end for the Bengals. Despite playing fewer snaps than both, Gesicki led the trip with 20 pass routes, seven more than Sample and 15 more than All. Gesicki is essentially a fourth receiver behind Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Andrei Iosivas. He'd need an injury to Chase or Higgins to have a reliable fantasy role. |
|
Evan McPherson Evan McPherson Drills four kicks in Week 2 win
Mon, Sep 21, 2026, 10:24 AM
McPherson made both field-goal attempts and went 2-for-2 on PATs in Sunday's 20-6 win over the Texans.
Analysis: McPherson's field goals were good from distance, converting 51- and 57-yard kicks in the second half. Through two games this season, McPherson is a perfect 6-for-6 on field goals and 5-for-5 on extra points after a stellar preseason. With Joe Burrow back healthy, McPherson is one of fantasy's top kickers in an elite Cincinnati offense. |
|
Joe Burrow Joe Burrow Solid, mistake-free effort in win
Sun, Sep 20, 2026, 4:31 PM
Burrow (back) completed 20 of 31 passes for 207 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions while adding one rush for minus-1 yard in the Bengals' 20-6 win over the Texans on Sunday.
Analysis: Burrow's workmanlike stat line underscores the type of road upset victory it was for the Bengals, who didn't need to be overly aggressive against a Texans offense missing Nico Collins (hamstring). Burrow, who came into the game dealing with back tightness, took his share of lumps in the form of five sacks, but he delivered dynamic 32- and 18-yard touchdown passes to Ja'Marr Chase. Burrow also notably avoided any turnovers despite being consistently under duress, and through his first two games, he's completed a solid 68.2 percent of his passes and posted three touchdowns versus one interception while operating under center more often than in recent seasons. Burrow will look to continue his solid early-season play in a Week 3 divisional road matchup against the Steelers next Sunday. |
|
Tee Higgins Tee Higgins Team-high yardage in Week 2 win
Sun, Sep 20, 2026, 4:08 PM
Higgins secured five of 10 targets for 95 yards in the Bengals' 20-6 win over the Texans on Sunday.
Analysis: Higgins' receiving yardage and target totals paced the Bengals on the afternoon, and he finished second only to Ja'Marr Chase in receiving yards. The talented wide receiver duo accounted for 12 of Joe Burrow's 20 completions against a tough Texans defense, and Higgins now is averaging an elite 19.3 yards per reception on his first eight catches of the 2026 season. The veteran speedster will aim to continue thriving downfield in a Week 3 road matchup against the Steelers next Sunday. |
|
Chase Brown Chase Brown Solid production with 23 touches
Sun, Sep 20, 2026, 4:02 PM
Brown rushed 20 times for 80 yards and brought in three of five targets for two yards in the Bengals' 20-6 win over the Texans on Sunday.
Analysis: As his final numbers suggest, Brown worked for virtually every yard Sunday, but his contributions on the ground helped the Bengals move the chains and pull off the upset road victory. Brown couldn't get anything going as a receiver, but the fact he saw five targets is certainly encouraging from a bigger-picture fantasy view. The fourth-year back's usage through the first two games corroborates Brown's unquestioned role as the primary option in Cincinnati's ground game, as he's already seen 36 carries and 11 targets heading into a Week 3 road matchup against an always tough Steelers defense next Sunday. |
|
Ja'Marr Chase Ja'Marr Chase First pair of TDs in win
Sun, Sep 20, 2026, 3:57 PM
Chase brought in seven of nine targets for 75 yards and two touchdowns in the Bengals' 20-6 win over the Texans on Sunday.
Analysis: Chase recorded what already profiles as a Catch of the Year candidate on the first of his two touchdowns, one that saw him exhibit elite body control while making a narrowly inbounds, spinning grab from 32 yards out late in the second quarter. He went on to add an 18-yard TD reception in the latter portion of the third quarter as well, and he finished with the team lead in receptions while checking in as the runner-up to Tee Higgins in both receiving yards and targets. The rewarding fantasy day atoned for a quiet two-reception and scoreless Week 1 for the perennial Pro Bowler, who'll next tangle with the Steelers defense in a Week 3 road matchup next Sunday. |
|
Josh Johnson Josh Johnson Inactive after elevation
Sun, Sep 20, 2026, 11:19 AM
Johnson (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Texans.
Analysis: Johnson was elevated in the event Joe Burrow missed Sunday's contest due to the back injury that had him listed as questionable on the final injury report of the week. With Burrow healthy and suiting up, Johnson will be inactive for the game in Houston. |
|
Officially inactive
Sun, Sep 20, 2026, 10:38 AM
Hill (Achilles) is inactive for Sunday's Week 2 matchup against the Texans.
Analysis: Hill was on the field for 41 percent of Cincinnati's defensive snaps in Week 1 against Tampa Bay but didn't record a tackle or any counting stat. He only appeared in a limited fashion on Thursday during the practice week, which set the stage for his inactive status. He'll look to return Week 3 against Pittsburgh. |
|
Joe Burrow Joe Burrow Active status confirmed
Sun, Sep 20, 2026, 10:31 AM
Burrow (back) is officially listed as active ahead of Sunday's Week 2 matchup against the Texans.
Analysis: A back injury surfaced for Burrow during the week, leading to back-to-back limited practices before a full session Friday. Coach Zac Taylor and other top sources consistently indicated Burrow would be "good to go," and Sunday's final inactives reports confirmed that sentiment. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Burrow will have no limitations in this road matchup. He'll look to lead the Bengals to 2-0 against a Houston defense that allowed the fewest total yards and second-fewest total points in the 2025 season (though it did allow Buffalo to put up 36 points in Week 1). |
|
Joe Burrow Joe Burrow Still on track to play Sunday
Sun, Sep 20, 2026, 5:33 AM
Burrow (back) remains listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Texans, but he "should be good to go" barring a setback, Tom Pelissero of Netflix reports.
Analysis: Bengals head coach Zac Taylor indicated Friday that Burrow -- who was limited in practices Wednesday and Thursday before finishing the week with a full session -- was "good to go" for Week 2, and the quarterback remains on track to play. Burrow's availability for Sunday's game will be confirmed when the Bengals reveal their inactive list at 11:30 a.m. ET. |
Connect With Us:
