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Ja'Marr Chase Ja'Marr Chase Suspended one game
Mon, Nov 17, 2025, 3:38 PM
Chase has received a one-game suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct during Cincinnati's loss to the Steelers in Week 11, ruling him out for Sunday's matchup against the Patriots, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Chase is appealing the suspension, per Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer.
Analysis: Despite Chase opting to appeal, it appears as though the superstar won't play Week 12 versus New England, leaving Tee Higgins in position as the clear No. 1 receiving option for quarterback Joe Flacco. Wideout Andrei Iosivas and tight end Noah Fant figure to be other beneficiaries of increased opportunities in the receiving came with Chase -- who has drawn double-digit targets in five of his last six appearances -- unavailable. Ben Baby of ESPN reports that there is notable precedent for Chase's suspension being upheld, as Jalen Carter was ejected from Philadelphia's game against the Cowboys in Week 1 after the first play from scrimmage for similar conduct, which the NFL viewed as a one-game suspension. |
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Noah Fant Noah Fant Catches five passes in loss
Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 8:00 PM
Fant caught five of six targets for 36 yards in the Bengals' 34-12 loss to the Steelers on Sunday.
Analysis: Fant's six targets were fourth-most on the team, trailing Ja'Marr Chase (10), Tee Higgins and Chase Brown, who each drew eight looks. With Mike Gesicki (pectoral) on injured reserve, Fant has been more of a factor in the passing game since Gesicki went down in Week 6. In the four games since, Fant has secured 14 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns on 16 targets. Fant isn't an exciting fantasy target ahead of next Sunday's game against the Patriots. |
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Tee Higgins Tee Higgins Extends TD streak to four games
Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 4:18 PM
Higgins caught three of eight targets for 63 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 34-12 loss to the Steelers.
Analysis: Higgins capped Cincinnati's first possession with a 28-yard touchdown catch, but that was his only target of the first half. He was busier after halftime and finished as the team leader in receiving yards, while no teammate had more than 36 receiving yards in a rare off day for Cincinnati's passing game. Higgins extended his touchdown streak to four games (five touchdowns) ahead of a Week 12 home game against the Patriots. |
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Joe Flacco Joe Flacco Struggles in Week 11 loss
Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 4:17 PM
Flacco completed 23 of 40 passes for 199 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Sunday's 34-12 loss to the Steelers. He added one rushing attempt for minus-1 yard.
Analysis: Flacco threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Tee Higgins in the first quarter, but the Bengals didn't get their next points until a field goal in the third quarter, and Flacco threw a pick-six with Cincinnati in field-goal range on the drive after that field goal. The 40-year-old quarterback failed to throw multiple touchdown passes for the first time in five starts with the Bengals, and he posted his lowest total for passing yards since joining Cincinnati. The magic may be wearing off for Flacco, but with Joe Burrow (toe) reportedly targeting a Thanksgiving Day return in Week 13 against the Ravens, Week 12 against the Patriots might be Flacco's last starting opportunity. |
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Chase Brown Chase Brown Four straight with 100 total yards
Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 4:04 PM
Brown rushed 18 times for 99 yards and caught six of eight targets for 28 yards in Sunday's 34-12 loss to the Steelers.
Analysis: Brown has rushed for at least 73 yards in three of his last four games after failing to exceed 47 rushing yards in a game through Week 6. He handled a workhorse role in the absence of top backup Samaje Perine (ankle), as Brown set season highs with 24 touches and 127 scrimmage yards. After a slow start, Brown has started to deliver the gaudy production fantasy managers expected on the heels of his breakout 2024 campaign. New England's stout run defense will be tasked with trying to slow down Brown in Week 12. |
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Ja'Marr Chase Ja'Marr Chase Just 30 yards in Steelers rematch
Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 4:02 PM
Chase caught three of 10 targets for 30 yards in Sunday's 34-12 loss to the Steelers.
Analysis: After recording a franchise-record 16 catches for 161 yards and a touchdown in Week 7 against the Steelers, Chase was held to his second-fewest catches and third-fewest yards of the season in Sunday's rematch. Prior to this unexpected dip in production, Chase had at least six catches and 91 receiving yards in each of the previous five games. He'll likely face a heavy dose of top Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez in Week 12, but Chase's ceiling remains as high as it gets. |
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Sean Clifford Sean Clifford Serving as emergency QB again
Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 11:18 AM
Clifford (coach's decision) is inactive and will be Cincinnati's emergency third quarterback for Sunday's Week 11 matchup against Pittsburgh.
Analysis: This has become the norm for Clifford since he was signed to the active roster Oct. 31. Joe Flacco will log another start for the Bengals on Sunday, while Jake Browning will work in the No. 2 role. Clifford could be pushed off the roster when Joe Burrow (toe), who returned in limited fashion to practice this week, is activated off IR. |
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Joe Burrow Joe Burrow Progressing to 11-on-11 next week
Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 11:13 AM
Burrow (toe) will advance to taking part in 11-on-11 practices in Week 12 with the aim of eventually returning to action for the Bengals' Thanksgiving Day matchup with the Ravens on Nov. 27, Jay Glazer reported on "Fox NFL Sunday."
Analysis: The Bengals had extra reps available for Burrow upon his return to practice in Week 11, as incumbent starter Joe Flacco once again had his practice participation managed while he continues to play through a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder. Though Burrow is aiming to return to action Week 13, his availability for that Thanksgiving game could hinge on whether the Bengals have any playoff life at that point in the schedule. The 3-6 Bengals are playing in Pittsburgh against the division-leading Steelers on Sunday, then host the Patriots in Week 12. |
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Jermaine Burton Jermaine Burton Won't play Sunday
Sat, Nov 15, 2025, 1:42 PM
Burton (illness) has been downgraded and ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Steelers.
Analysis: Burton practiced in full Friday and originally had no injury designation for the Week 11 divisional matchup, but he's since been ruled out due to an illness. Charlie Jones and Mitchell Tinsley could see more opportunities in Cincinnati's wide-receiver corps while Burton is sidelined Sunday. |
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Jermaine Burton Jermaine Burton Ready for Week 11
Fri, Nov 14, 2025, 2:37 PM
Burton (illness) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Steelers.
Analysis: The second-year wideout from Alabama didn't practice Thursday due to an illness, but he logged a full session Friday, indicating that he's moved past the issue in time to play Sunday. Now fully healthy, Burton is expected to play a depth role in Cincinnati's wide-receiver corps in the Week 11 divisional matchup. |
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Joe Flacco Joe Flacco Clear for Week 11
Fri, Nov 14, 2025, 1:55 PM
Flacco (shoulder) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game in Pittsburgh.
Analysis: Flacco played through an AC joint sprain in his right throwing shoulder in the Bengals' last game Week 9, completing 31 of 47 passes for 470 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions while losing his only fumble during a 47-42 loss to the Bears. Following a Week 10 bye, he sandwiched a limited practice Thursday between two DNPs, but the minimal activity was enough for the team to clear him ahead of Sunday's contest. Cincinnati opened No. 1 QB Joe Burrow's (toe) practice window this week, but it appears the earliest he may be available is a Thanksgiving Day matchup with the Ravens, giving Flacco at least two more chances to lead the offense, health permitting. |
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Samaje Perine Samaje Perine Won't play Sunday
Fri, Nov 14, 2025, 1:54 PM
Perine (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Steelers.
Analysis: With Perine -- who didn't practice this week -- unavailable and targeting a return to action Nov. 23 against the Patriots, Tahj Brooks is in line to serve as Chase Brown's top backup this weekend. The Bengals also have the option of elevating RBs Gary Brightwell and/or Kendall Milton from their practice squad ahead of Week 11 action. |
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Samaje Perine Samaje Perine Sits out another practice
Thu, Nov 13, 2025, 4:01 PM
Perine (ankle) did not practice Wednesday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Perine appears to be trending in the wrong direction for Sunday's contest against the Steelers due to a high-ankle sprain, though he hasn't been officially ruled out yet. If Perine is indeed ruled out for Sunday's contest, rookie Tahj Brooks will benefit from an opportunity to handle increased work behind Chase Brown. |
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Joe Flacco Joe Flacco Upgrades to limited Thursday
Thu, Nov 13, 2025, 3:56 PM
Flacco (shoulder) was a limited participant in practice Thursday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Flacco officially went down as a non-participant Wednesday, so Thursday's limited participation is a step in the right direction. The veteran quarterback is expected to start Cincinnati's next two games, Sunday at Pittsburgh and Week 12 against the Patriots, as Joe Burrow (toe) is targeting Thanksgiving Day against the Ravens as his return date. Flacco played through his shoulder injury and threw for 470 yards in Week 9 against the Bears prior to Cincinnati's Week 10 bye. |
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Samaje Perine Samaje Perine No practice Wednesday
Wed, Nov 12, 2025, 3:26 PM
Perine (ankle) did not participate in Wednesday's practice, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Perine's lack of practice activity coming out of Cincinnati's bye isn't entirely surprising, considering that he's working his way back from a high-ankle sprain suffered during the team's loss to Chicago in Week 9. If Perine isn't able to gain clearance for Sunday's contest against the Steelers, Tahj Brooks will stand to operate as the No. 2 option behind backfield leader Chase Brown. |
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Joe Flacco Joe Flacco Limited in practice, feeling better
Wed, Nov 12, 2025, 3:20 PM
Flacco (shoulder) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Jay Morrison of SI.com reports.
Analysis: Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports that Flacco didn't throw passes Wednesday but is scheduled to do so Thursday. Flacco played through the same injury before a Week 10 bye, throwing for 470 yards and four TDs in the Week 9 loss to Chicago. Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Flacco said the bye was much-needed, though his gaudy stat line suggests the shoulder injury wasn't too limiting. He's expected to make at least one or two more starts, including this Sunday against the Steelers, before a potential Joe Burrow (toe) return at the end of November or in December. The Bengals opened Burrow's 21-day practice window earlier this week. |
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Joe Burrow Joe Burrow Practicing Wednesday
Wed, Nov 12, 2025, 1:49 PM
Burrow (toe) is participating in the early portion of Wednesday's unpadded practice, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Burrow threw passes in sweatpants and a helmet two days after the Bengals designated him for a return from injured reserve. The team said he'll practice in a limited capacity, with Burrow noting that he'd like to return for a Thanksgiving Day game at Baltimore on Nov. 27. |
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Mike Gesicki Mike Gesicki Recovery progress encouraging
Wed, Nov 12, 2025, 12:40 PM
Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Wednesday that the team has seen "encouraging" recovery progress from Gesicki (pectoral), Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Gesicki remains on IR and isn't eligible to return in time for Sunday's game against the Steelers, though he could have his 21-day practice window opened in advance of Cincinnati's contest against the Patriots in Week 12. It's possible, however, that Gesicki could require more time to get healthy. Noah Fant has handled an expanded role in the receiving game in Gesicki's absence, and he will continue to do so for at least one more week. |
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Joe Burrow Joe Burrow Hoping for Thanksgiving return?
Mon, Nov 10, 2025, 4:51 PM
Burrow (toe), who has been designated to return from IR, won't play Sunday against the Steelers, but Ben Baby of ESPN.com relays that the QB acknowledged Monday that it would be meaningful if he could return to action for the Bengals' Thanksgiving Day game against the Ravens on Nov. 27.
Analysis: "We'll see how these next couple weeks go," Burrow said. "There's a lot that goes into it. There's a lot of variables that you have to consider." One of those variables figures to be the Bengals' record as he progresses toward a return. In any case, it looks like veteran signal-caller Joe Flacco -- who is managing a shoulder issue -- will draw at least two more starts for 3-6 Cincinnati, while Burrow works his way back from the turf toe injury that he suffered Week 2 and required surgery. In his return to practice Monday in a limited capacity, Burrow didn't participate in any 11-on-11 team drills, but he did throw some passes to receivers while not facing any defenders. |
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Joe Burrow Joe Burrow Practice window opens
Mon, Nov 10, 2025, 12:10 PM
The Bengals announced Monday that Burrow (toe) has been designated for a return from IR and will practice in a limited capacity.
Analysis: Burrow now kicks off a 21-day window wherein his can practice without counting against the 53-man roster, allowing him to begin ramping up his activity level with the target of making a return to the lineup in December. The franchise quarterback is recovering from surgery undergone Sept. 21 to address a Grade 3 turf toe injury. Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network have confirmed that December remains the Bengals' tentative target for Burrow to retake the field, but it's encouraging to see him already ready to handle limited practice reps. Joe Flacco will continue operating as Cincinnati's starting quarterback until such time as Burrow gains full clearance, including Sunday on the road against Pittsburgh. |
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