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Cincinnati Bengals
Go To: Off-season Team Review

Most Recent News Updates:
CIN -- Burrow Practices Monday; Looking Better For Week 1 (9/04/14:49 CT)
CIN -- Report Suggests Burrow's Mobility Could Be Limited Week 1 (9/01/09:46 CT)
CIN -- Burrow Still Working; Taylor Noncommital About Week 1 (8/31/19:09 CT)
CIN -- Rookie RB Chase In Position To Move Ahead Of Evans, Williams (8/31/18:47 CT)
CIN -- More Details On Burrow's Return To Practice (8/30/15:41 CT)
CIN -- Burrow Back On The Practice Field (8/30/13:00 CT)
CIN -- How Healthy Is Joe Burrow? (8/30/00:15 CT)
CIN -- Backup QB Spot Coming Into Focus After Exhibition Closing Loss (8/26/20:28 CT)
CIN -- Even With Burrow Out, Bengals WRs Making Strides (8/25/17:39 CT)
CIN -- Could Evans Be Emerging As A Receiving Option Out Of The Backfield? (8/22/10:30 CT)
CIN -- Mixon Happy To Have Contract, Criminal Case Behind Him (8/22/20:39 CT)
CIN -- More Details On Burrow; QB Won't Need Long To Get Up To Speed (8/21/19:39 CT)
CIN -- Taylor Offers Positive Update On Burrow (8/21/12:39 CT)
CIN -- TE Wilcox Activated From PUP (8/21/11:33 CT)
CIN -- Offense Struggling Behind Siemian, Browning (8/19/10:39 CT)
CIN -- Rookie RB Brown Pushing To Earn A Role (8/17/16:51 CT)
CIN -- Mixon Found Not Guilty Of Aggravated Menacing (8/17/10:22 CT)
CIN -- Higgins Dealing With Minor Issue; WR Downplays It (8/15/12:36 CT)
CIN -- Higgins Limited In Practice, Considered Precautionary (8/15/06:59 CT)
CIN -- Burrow Runs, Throws During Pregame Warmups (8/11/16:04 CT)
CIN -- No Changes To Joe Burrow's Timeline (8/09/14:11 CT)
CIN -- Rookie WR Iosivas A Prospect Worth Watching (8/08/00:23 CT)
CIN -- Initial Issues And Injuries Of Note (8/08/00:00 CT)

Current News Updates
9/04 It seems like things are trending toward Joe Burrow playing in Sunday’s season opener against Cleveland. But HC Zac Taylor still has not announced that will be the case. Burrow once again participated in Cincinnati’s practice on Monday and after the session, Taylor noted the quarterback looked good. “Today was a really good day for him. It was encouraging to see,” Taylor said. Taylor added that the Bengals and Burrow are “continuing to take it day to day right now. ...” While Taylor still has not committed to Burrow starting Week 1, offensive coordinator Brian Callahan told reporters that the team has a “good plan in place” to have the QB ready for Sept. 10. If for some reason Burrow isn’t able to play, the Bengals have Jake Browning on their 53-man roster and Will Grier on their practice squad at quarterback.

9/01 According to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe (via Rotoworld), Joe Burrow’s mobility could be limited in Week 1 against the Browns. ... Dealing with a lingering calf injury, Burrow, who returned to practice this week, seems likely to suit up in Week 1, but as Rotoworld notes, Burrow will face a ferocious Browns pass rush headed by Myles Garrett. ... Whatever the case, we'll continue to follow up.

8/31 OC Brian Callahan said Thursday that quarterback Joe Burrow has looked the part as he returns from a strained right calf. Burrow practiced for the second time in as many days after missing nearly six weeks with the lower leg injury. Callahan said Burrow's rehab has gone according to plan and that his overall physical shape, arm strength and timing seem unaffected by his absence. It all points positively toward Burrow playing in the season opener Sept. 10 against the Cleveland Browns. "I think he's in a good place and we got a good plan in place for him to get ready for Week 1," Callahan told ESPN.com's Ben Baby. Based on the description of his practice participation, Burrow was unofficially limited in the team's final practice before the regular season officially starts. Callahan said the next step for Burrow's progress will be involvement in "intense team periods" when the Bengals resume practice Monday. However, the fifth-year offensive coordinator said Burrow's continuity with Cincinnati's system and the players means it doesn't take Burrow long to get up to speed. Earlier Thursday, Bengals coach Zac Taylor was noncommittal about Burrow's status for the season opener. Taylor said the team would continue to take things on a day-by-day basis. He also declined to comment on the current status of the negotiations between Burrow and the team on a potential contract extension. When it comes to increasing Burrow's workload in preparation for Week 1, Taylor said there are no definite markers but that the quarterback is improving on the timeline the team envisioned when the injury occurred in late July. "I don't think there's a defined checklist we need to see," Taylor said. "It was just good to get him out with the team and calling plays in the huddle and all that good stuff at practice. I think that was encouraging for everybody. ..." Stay tuned.

8/31 According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, we shouldn't be surprised if rookie running back Chase Brown carves out a role in Year 1. The fifth-round pick from Illinois has been impressive throughout camp and the preseason, particularly surprising the Bengals with his abilities in the passing game -- a place where he didn't get used a ton in college (28 catches last year). Could he leapfrog Chris Evans and Trayveon Williams for the No. 2 running back spot behind Joe Mixon? Maybe as the year goes on, if not right away. Fifth-round pick status doesn't guarantee that Brown is the Bengals' long-term answer at the position, but if he keeps impressing, he could build himself a prominent role for 2024 or even sooner.

8/30 Following up on the previous item. ... Joe Burrow returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since suffering a strained right calf on July 27. According to ESPN.com's Ben Baby, during the session that was open to the media, Burrow participated in all the throwing drills with assistant Dan Pitcher and the team's backups, Jake Browning and Will Grier, who signed Wednesday with the team's practice squad after being released by the Dallas Cowboys. It's a welcomed sign for Cincinnati, which was without Burrow for the past six weeks as he recovered from the calf issue. Before Wednesday, the only public throwing session Burrow had was before the team's preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers on Aug. 11. Burrow was not wearing the compression sleeve on the right leg that he has worn often since the injury occurred. Burrow was not available to speak to the media Wednesday, according to a team spokesperson. We'll keep watching for more.

8/30 Joe Burrow is walking out to practice with helmet and shoulder pads on. ... We'll have more details shortly.

8/30 Joe Burrow remains out of practice 33 days after he strained his right calf in practice. Jake Browning is the only other quarterback the Bengals kept on their roster Tuesday, an indication they expect Burrow to play the season opener. “I think he has a very healthy body,” HC Zac Taylor said, via Ben Baby of ESPN, “and I’m encouraged by that.” Burrow’s long absence, though, has prompted questions about whether a snag in contract negotiations is what’s keeping the Pro Bowler out of practice. Taylor firmly denied Burrow is conducting a “hold-in.” The Bengals, though, have been unforthcoming in where contract negotiations or Burrow’s rehab stands. Taylor would not even allow whether he expects Burrow to practice this week. “We’ll see,” he said.

8/26 There's no QB drama for the Commanders, who already announced Sam Howell as their starter, with veteran Jacoby Brissett set to back up. Brissett played the first three series of Saturday night's win over the Bengals, completing 10 of 15 passes for 96 yards with a 39-yard touchdown completion to Mitchell Tinsley, an undrafted free agent receiver who had three catches for 89 yards and may have earned a spot on Washington's 53-man roster. Jake Fromm played the majority of the game and threw for 144 yards and two TDs to wrap up a 3-0 preseason for the Commanders. It's the first time Washington finished exhibition play undefeated since 2013. ... Meanwhile, NFL.com's Coral Smith notes that after coming into training camp as a sixth-round pick out of Kentucky, rookie Chris Rodriguez Jr. has worked his way up the depth chart into a likely solid position on the depth chart, and has shown consistent success through the three preseason games. Between the first two contests Rodriguez had ten attempts for a combined 70 yards, averaging 7.0 yards per carry. And to cap things off, Rodriguez exploded for a 25-yard run in the second quarter of Saturday's game, part of a 52-yard showing to close out August. Washington's rushing attack was No. 12 in the league in 2022 with the duo of Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson in charge, but behind them the snaps are more available, opening things up for a player like Rodriguez to establish himself as a quality backup. Depth at an injury-prone position like running back is never a bad thing, and Rodriguez has proved himself to be a dependable third option with a solid preseason showing. ... Nearly every starter for either team sat out to avoid the risk of injuries. The Commanders already lost a top player to a preseason injury when Terry McLaurin sprained a toe on his right foot late in the first half Monday against Baltimore, and now the No. 1 receiver's status for Week 1, when the Commanders host the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 10, is uncertain. ... You can access complete stats for Saturday's Week 3 exhibition finale via our exclusive Fantasy BoxScore.

8/25 While the Bengals haven’t had quarterback Joe Burrow available to practice since he suffered a calf injury on the second day of training camp, the team’s continuity in offensive personnel should help him make a seamless transition whenever he returns. But even as Burrow is out, his receivers are making strides. As Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd enter their third year as a trio, Boyd — the most experienced of the group — recently complimented Chase on his improvements throughout the spring and summer. “Ja’Marr is just more polished about how he goes about his work day,” Boyd said, via Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “He doesn’t miss treatment. He’s not worrying about the wrong things outside of football. He gets here, is locked in, and does what he has to do before he gets on the field. Before, he used to just chill, sit around, and go play. Now, he takes things more seriously. He has become a vet. It’s the same thing with Tee.” As Profootballtalk.com suggests, if that’s the case, then Chase could be poised for a monster 2023 — not that he was a slouch in either of his first two seasons. He was the AP offensive rookie of the year in 2021 after catching 81 passes for 1,455 yards with 13 touchdowns. He played just 12 games due to injury last year, but still finished with 87 receptions for 1,046 yards with nine TDs. Higgins has caught exactly 74 passes for just over 1,000 yards in each of the last two years — 1,091 in 2021 and 1,029 in 2022. With Chase, Higgins, and Boyd, Cincinnati’s offense should be plenty explosive from a receiver standpoint in 2023.

8/22 The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. believes Bengals RB Chris Evans could serve as the team’s preferred passing-down back. Dehner projects Evans as the Bengals’ “passing-down starter” while Trayveon Williams and Chase Brown will serve as backups. Dehner says (via Rotoworld) Evans is on the rise after a camp where he excelled in pass protection and improved as a runner. Evans serving in this role could make him the replacement for Samaje Perine, who appeared on 149 third-down snaps last season to Mixon’s 50 per PFF.

8/22 Joe Mixon conveyed a sense of gratitude at training camp Monday. In his first news conference since the end of last season, and since a judge ruled Mixon not guilty of aggravated menacing, Mixon said it was a "great thing" to have his contract situation and criminal case behind him. When asked if he had any regrets about making headlines off the field or what happened over the course of the offseason, Mixon said it's a "blessing" to be with the Bengals for another season. "At the end of the day, I'm going to keep it to football questions," Mixon said. "But it's a great thing for everything to be pretty much over with and to be able to hone in on being the best teammate that I can possibly be, being the leader and the captain that I am around the team." Mixon's comments came one day after he announced a boycott of certain reporters for coverage he deemed to be disrespectful. The seventh-year running back also detailed his restructured contract that allowed him to remain with the Bengals. On Monday, Mixon was asked about why it was important for him to restructure his deal. "We see the Super Bowl window," Mixon said. "As long as we keep everybody together, we're right there. Hopefully these guys get their deals done. ..." Meanwhile, Mixon is looking to enjoy similar success that he had in 2021, when he reached his first Pro Bowl. In 2022, he averaged 58.1 yards per game after averaging 75.3 yards the previous season. On Friday, Bengals coach Zac Taylor was asked what will make the upcoming year a successful one for Mixon. Taylor said the primary concern is that the offense is among the best in the NFL. "How many rushing yards a game and how many passing yards a game we have does not matter to me," Taylor said. "We just want to be one of the top scoring teams in the league, do a great job possessing the ball when we need to and keep our defense off the field, controlling the game that way."

8/21 Following up on a previous item. ... HC Zac Taylor’s last few updates on Joe Burrow’s recovery from a calf injury were similar as Taylor said simply that there’s been no change in the “several weeks” timeline that the team put in place when Burrow was first injured. Taylor gave another update during Monday’s press conference and he said that the original recovery plan remains in place a little more than three weeks after Burrow hurt his calf. Taylor did add a bit more about how Burrow is faring as he works his way back into the lineup. “He looks great. Physically just walking around, he looks probably as good as he’s ever looked at this point,” Taylor said. Once Burrow gets the green light to make a full return to the field, Taylor doesn’t think it will take him long to be ready for game action. Taylor said it will take “one rep” for Burrow to be ready to go.

8/21 HC Zac Taylor spoke to reporters on Monday and said this on QB Joe Burrow: “He looks great. Physically walking around, he looks as good as he's ever looked. ...” More to come.

8/21 TE Mitchell Wilcox has been cleared to practice and was activated off the PUP list.

8/19 According to ESPN.com's Ben Baby, it's not just the two preseason games that have left the Joe Burrow-less offense lacking sharpness. After Burrow went down in the second practice of training camp with a strained right calf, the offense has sputtered. On Friday, backup quarterback Jake Browning (16-of-22 for 140 yards) fared better than Trevor Siemian (7-of-14 for 62 yards) who started in his turn in the rotation. But the Bengals didn't score an offensive touchdown in the first two preseason games until the final 50 seconds Friday, and the passing game isn't solely to blame. The run game has been inefficient and penalties have ruined drives. Baby went on to suggest that unless the Bengals get some improvement or perhaps find another option at backup quarterback, Cincinnati can't afford to have Burrow injured during the regular season.

8/17 Cincinnati enters 2023 with a void at back-up running back behind starter Joe Mixon. Rookie Chase Brown and veterans Trayveon Williams and Chris Evans are all in contention to take the snaps vacated by last year's No. 2 Samaje Perine, who signed with the Denver Broncos during free agency. The Bengals could also be looking for a new starter in 2024, depending on what happens with Mixon next offseason. This year will give the Bengals an extended look at what Brown offers this season and beyond. Cincinnati drafted the former Illinois standout in the fifth round of April’s draft. It was the first time the Bengals selected a running back that early since acquiring Mark Walton in the fourth round in 2018. Brown brings a bevy of production with him to the NFL. In 2022, the fifth-year senior was second among all Power 5 running backs with 1,643 rushing yards. He could boost a Bengals ground attack that was beset by missed opportunities last season. Despite facing defensive schemes geared to limit the passing game, Cincinnati ranked 30th in percentage of carries that went for 10 or more yards. Brown was prolific running the ball in college. But he will need to be an asset in the pass game for Cincinnati as well. “They talk about how this is a pass-first offense,” Brown said. “Running the ball is secondary.” That also means pass protection is primary for all of Cincinnati’s running backs. Samaje Perine was the team’s designated third-down back the past two seasons, mainly because of his reliability in pass protection. As ESPN.com's Ben Baby notes, Brown, Evans and Williams are all vying for those snaps in 2023. And Brown has plenty of experience being on the field on third down. Among all running backs at the Power 5 level in 2022, Brown had the fifth-highest number of third-down snaps, according to ESPN Stats and Information. ... Getting a lengthy evaluation of the running backs in the preseason will be tricky. After the team’s preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers, Taylor lamented the limited opportunities in the 36-19 loss. But Taylor did point out that Brown did well as a receiver, highlighting a 21-yard completion off a checkdown. He also converted two third-and-1 opportunities. If Brown develops into a reliable option for the Bengals in rushing and passing situations, it could position him as a viable starter for the future. But for now, Brown is just working on getting the little things squared away as he settles into his new digs in Cincinnati. “However they want to use me, however they see me contributing,” Brown said, “I’m going to take every opportunity that I can and make the most of it.”

8/17 Joe Mixon is not guilty of aggravated menacing, a judge ruled. ... Mixon chose to have a bench trial before Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Gwen Bender. It began Monday. Prosecutors said Mixon cut off another driver in traffic and, after exchanging words, pointed a gun at her. According to the woman's account, Mixon said he ought to shoot her and said police wouldn't do anything to him. Mixon's lawyers argued that the woman, who is not being identified under Marsy's Law provisions, became enraged after getting cut off and started the confrontation. During a recorded interview with police, the woman said her natural reaction, when she feels attacked, is to become angry, not scared. The defense lawyers have continually circled back to this statement during the trial. They argued that there was no proof Mixon was holding a gun other than the woman's account and questioned the police work that lead to the charges. Prosecutors called on a police officer and a co-worker of the woman. Both testified that she did seem visible shaken and scared briefly after the encounter. Statement from Joe Mixon’s agent, Peter Schaffer: “Knowing the facts, knowing Joe as a person and having tremendous faith in the legal systems ability to get to the truth we had no doubt of the eventual outcome. This vindicates Joe as a person and that is what’s most important. ... Seems like this matter is closed

8/15 Receiver Tee Higgins gave the team a scare on Monday. Higgins was hit by safety Nick Scott while going up to try for a pass and a member of the team’s medical staff came out to look at him after he went to the ground. Higgins said he landed “awkwardly” and avoided any serious issue, but he did not return to the field for the rest of the session. Watching portions of practice was nothing new for Higgins. He has missed team drills in a number of practices and didn’t do 11-on-11 work in last week’s joint practices with the Packers. On Monday, Higgins was asked why he has limited his practice work. “Just precaution. ... Just out there talking to [wide receivers coach Troy Walters] going back and forth with him being able to take some team reps off and do individual but actually getting back in there doing everything with the guys feels good,” Higgins said, via Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer. ... As Profootballtalk.com suggests, any discussion about Higgins’ practice participation also includes a nod to his contract status. He’s in the last year of his rookie deal and joins quarterback Joe Burrow on the list of Bengals players who are looking for new deals before the start of the regular season. Burrow’s deal is a bigger priority, so it remains to be seen what the team can get done ahead of Week 1.

8/15 According to Pro Football Talk, WR Tee Higgins was hit by safety Nick Scott while trying to catch a pass in practice, and a member of the team’s medical staff came out to look at him after he went to the ground. Higgins did not return to the field for the rest of the session.

8/11 When Joe Burrow hurt his calf in practice on July 28, head coach Zac Taylor said the quarterback would be out several weeks. Taylor said this week that there’s been no change to that timeline, but Burrow appears to have made a good deal of progress toward returning to action. Reporters at Paycor Stadium for Friday night’s game between the Bengals and Packers shared video of Burrow on the field working out ahead of the game. Burrow went through a throwing session and was seen running between the sidelines without any sign of a limp or other difficulty. Burrow was working out without the lower leg sleeve that he’s been seen wearing since getting injured. As Profootballtalk.com suggests, the initial timeline suggests Burrow’s absence from the field will last a little longer, but there doesn’t appear to be any worry that he’ll be out longer than expected.

8/09 Head coach Zac Taylor says there’s no update on quarterback Joe Burrow’s recovery from a calf injury, which the Bengals expect will take several weeks to heal. “It will be several weeks from when I said it will be several weeks,” Taylor said today. Taylor first said Burrow would be out for “several weeks” on July 28, which is six weeks and two days before the Bengals’ September 10 opener. It’s possible but not guaranteed that Burrow will be back on the field for the opener against the Browns. Burrow and the Bengals have also been negotiating a new contract, one that will likely make him the highest-paid player in the NFL. There’s been no update on those discussions, either. While Burrow is out, Trevor Siemian is the top quarterback on the Bengals’ depth chart.

8/08 According to ESPN.com's Ben Baby, rookie receiver Andrei Iosivas showed why he's an intriguing prospect to watch throughout training camp. The sixth-round pick out of Princeton finished today's team drills with a solid catch down the left sideline. Despite being in double coverage, Iosivas hauled in the pass from quarterback Jake Browning, earning him kudos from the veterans. If Charlie Jones can't play in the preseason opener against Green Bay with a left shoulder injury, Iosivas could get an extended look.

8/08 Joe Burrow suffered what’s been characterized as a calf strain on 7/27. Head coach Zach Taylor told reporters he expects Burrow to be sidelined “several weeks” due to the injury. Burrow, who entered camp in 2021 rehabbing a knee injury and had an appendectomy at the onset of last year's camp, will now miss a third consecutive training camp. The good news? It hasn't kept him from excelling in the regular season. He enters 2023 with at least one touchdown pass in his last 23 regular season games, including 14 games with multiple TD strikes (four games with four and four games with three). In two-plus seasons as the Cincinnati starter, he has hit the 300-yard mark 16 times and topped 400 on five occasions with a high of 525. The only QBs in NFL history with more 300-yard/3-TD games than Burrow (nine) through three seasons are Dan Marino (12) and Patrick Mahomes (11). The better news? We're still more than a month from the regular season. We'll continue to watch for more, but look for Trevor Siemian to get the bulk of the work at QB while Burrow is sidelined. ... Also of interest: RB Trayveon Williams suffered a sprained right ankle on 8/2. The mild sprain will force Williams to miss a couple of weeks while he recovers.

Team Review
Grade: A

Key Acquisitions: OT La'el Collins, G Alex Cappa, C Ted Karras, TE Hayden Hurst, CB Eli Apple

Key Losses: TE C.J. Uzomah

The Cincinnati Bengals surprised fans and pundits last year by winning the AFC North. Then they stunned them by advancing all the way to Super Bowl LVI. The Bengals accomplished those goals in large part because of an offense as loaded with firepower as any team in the league.

The maestro of that symphony is young quarterback Joe Burrow, who was sixth in passing yards, eighth in touchdown passes and sixth at the position in fantasy points. The first overall pick said that he's using the way the season ended as fuel for the fire in 2022.

"We're a young team," he said. You'd like to think that we'll be back in this situation multiple times over the course of the next few years," he said. "We take this and let it fuel you for the rest of our careers."

One of the things that makes Burrow such an appealing fantasy target (besides a reasonable asking price on draft day) is perhaps the most loaded cadre of pass-catchers in the league. Ja'Marr Chase set a new rookie receiving record in 2021 and won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors on the way to a top-5 finish in PPR formats. This season, he told the "I Am Athlete" podcast that he wants to make some more history.

"I write goals a lot, especially with football," Chase said. "My biggest goal this year, and not just this year, just going forward, is the triple crown."

Chase wasn't the only productive wide receiver in the Queen City last year -- Tee Higgins topped 70 catches and 1,000 yards, while Tyler Boyd (the "old man" of the group at 27) quietly topped 800 receiving yards. All three of those Bengals' receivers were top-30 fantasy options a year ago, and they slot along the fantasy football ladder in a similar fashion this year -- Chase as a WR1, Higgins as a WR2 and Boyd as a potential "flex" starter. Former first-round pick Hayden Hurst was brought in to replace the departed C.J. Uzomah at tight end -- he may not hit the top-12, but he has some "sleeper" potential.

The parade isn't over. Running back Joe Mixon set career highs just about across the board on the way to top-5 fantasy numbers in 2021. ESPN's Eric Moody highlighted the sixth-year running back as one of the better potential value picks of Round 1 this summer.

"Mixon is an underrated running back in fantasy," Moody wrote. "Last season, he averaged 20.9 touches, 95.0 total yards, and 18.1 fantasy points per game. With an improved Bengals offensive line, he has a good chance of replicating those numbers in 2022."

If that improved offensive line plays to its potential, the Cincinnati offense could be all the more dangerous in 2022.


2023 Off-Season News & Views
Click here for Complete set of News & Views
Tee Higgins Questionable to Return Cincinnati Bengals
(12/31 1:48 PT)

The Facts:
According to NFL RedZone, Bengals WR Tee Higgins is questionable to return due to a hamstring injury. Reported by NFL.com

Diehards Line:
Bengals Teammates Ja'Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd will receive more targets while Higgins is out.

Profile

Report: Ja'Marr Chase Likely Out This Week And Beyond Cincinnati Bengals
(12/18 8:44 PT)

The Facts:
Chase is likely to miss some time, sources tell NFL Network's Ian Rapoport after the MRI on his separated shoulder today. Reported by NFL.com

Diehards Line:
The expectation is that he is sidelined for this week’s game against the Steelers, and it could extend beyond that, as well. ... We'll follow up as needed.

Profile

Report: Ja'Marr Chase Has Separated Shoulder; More Testing Coming Cincinnati Bengals
(12/16 7:56 PT)

The Facts:
The Bengals ruled out Chase for the remainder of the game after he suffered a shoulder injury late in the fourth quarter of Saturday's home game against the Minnesota Vikings. Mike Garafolo reported on the NFL Network broadcast that the receiver was dealing with separated shoulder. Reported by BleacherReport.com

Diehards Line:
Although he has been banged up at times, Chase has not missed a game this season, and he entered Saturday's contest with 89 receptions for 1,092 yards and seven touchdowns. Garafolo reports there will be more testing Sunday, but there's some optimism that Chase won't miss time. If he does miss time beyond Saturday's game, QB Jake Browning will likely primarily turn to Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd at wideout. The opposition will likely see a heavy dose of running back Joe Mixon as well, plus plenty of run from tight ends Irv Smith Jr., Tanner Hudson and Drew Sample.

Profile

Jake Browning to the Locker Room Cincinnati Bengals
(12/10 2:22 PT)

The Facts:
According to Adam Schefter, Bengals QB Jake Browning went into the locker room with a hand injury. Reported by Twitter.com

Diehards Line:
Backup QB AJ McCarron has entered the game.

Profile

Joe Burrow Set For Surgery Monday; Will Be Rady For Start Of 2024 Season Cincinnati Bengals
(11/27 9:18 PT)

The Facts:
The post-Burrow portion of 2023 starts today for the Bengals. The franchise quarterback is set for wrist surgery on Monday, sources tell NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. Reported by NFL.com

Diehards Line:
Rapoport added the expectation is that Burrow will make a full recovery for the 2024 season. Head coach Zac Taylor clarified to reporters on Nov. 20 that Burrow's 2023 season is over, regardless of how far the Bengals potentially advance in the playoffs if they were to qualify.

Profile

Joe Burrow To Have Season-Ending Surgery Cincinnati Bengals
(11/17 3:30 PT)

The Facts:
Following up on the ongoing story. ... Burrow suffered a torn wrist ligament that will likely require season-ending surgery, head coach Zac Taylor said. Reported by FootballDiehards.com

Diehards Line:
We'll follow up with more details, but fantasy managers should start looking for their alternative now. Jake Browning will continue as the starter for Cincinnati In Burrow's absence.

Profile

NFL Will Investigate Joe Burrow Not Being On Injury Report Cincinnati Bengals
(11/17 12:24 PT)

The Facts:
The NFL is investigating why the Bengals did not list Burrow on their injury report this week over the wrist ailment that ultimately ruled him out of Thursday night's loss to the Baltimore Ravens, a league official told ESPN on Friday morning. Reported by ESPN.com

Diehards Line:
The Bengals had posted a video on X on Wednesday night of Burrow getting off the team bus wearing what appeared to be a soft cast on his right hand. They later deleted the post. Burrow appeared to be hampered by the injury against the Ravens before leaving the game in the second quarter and being ruled out shortly after halftime. Coach Zac Taylor said after the 34-20 Bengals loss that preliminary evaluations showed that Burrow had suffered a sprained right wrist. Burrow was seen in the locker room wearing a multilayered wrap. Taylor said Burrow fell on the wrist earlier in the game before he appeared to be in serious pain after throwing a 4-yard touchdown pass to running back Joe Mixon on what was Burrow's final play. The coach said he was not aware of Burrow dealing with any wrist issue before the game. The NFL routinely looks into matters of compliance with its injury report policy. The league takes injury report violations seriously, with punishments including team fines or potentially a lost draft pick. The NFL warned teams at the spring owners meetings that they are required to list all injuries.

Profile

Joe Burrow Suffers Sprained Right Wrist Cincinnati Bengals
(11/17 12:8 PT)

The Facts:
An apparent right wrist sprain ended Burrow's night on Thursday and has the Cincinnati Bengals collectively holding their breath for what's next. HC Zac Taylor told reporters following his team's 34-20 loss to the Baltimore Ravens that Burrow suffered the sprain during the game, and he was not aware of any previous injury. "It looks like he sprained his wrist," Taylor said. "So, he fell on it early in the game and felt it on the touchdown pass." Reported by NFL.com

Diehards Line:
Video on the Prime Video broadcast of Burrow entering the stadium before the game on Thursday showed him wearing a brace on his right hand/wrist. However, Burrow did not appear on the Bengals' injury report this week. Taylor said he was not "aware" of Burrow injuring his wrist prior to Thursday night. Burrow was replaced by backup Jake Browning, who finished the game 8-of-14 passing for 68 yards with a touchdown. Prior to his departure, Burrow was 11 of 17 for 101 yards, the TD and no interceptions. Burrow dealt with a calf strain earlier this year that kept him out of the preseason and obviously hampered his play in the early going. However, Burrow and the Bengals rebounded as his calf seemed to heal up, putting together a four-game winning streak prior to a Week 10 loss to the Houston Texans. Now, there's another ailment to be concerned about.

Profile

Ja'Marr Chase Day To Day With Sore Back Cincinnati Bengals
(11/6 4:24 PT)

The Facts:
Chase landed hard on his back during Sunday night’s game. He appeared in pain on the sideline as athletic trainers treated him. Chase confirmed Monday he was in pain, which got worse as the game went on and is worse today. “I’m alive,” Chase said. “That’s the best thing right now. ... It’s pretty sore just moving around.” Chase will undergo more medical tests, which will help determine his practice availability. Bengals coach Zac Taylor called Chase day to day. Reported by Profootballtalk.com

Diehards Line:
He caught four passes for 41 yards in the victory over the Bills, ending a streak of 15 consecutive games with at least five catches. Chase ended up playing 63 of 70 offensive snaps. Chase said because it’s his spine, they are exercising caution with the injury. “All I can do is pray and be a good teammate and be there for those guys and try to get healthy,” Chase said. “That’s the only thing I can do right now. Everybody is counting on me to be healthy.”

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Depth Chart
QB: Jake Browning, Joe Burrow
RB: Zack Moss, Chase Brown, Chris Evans, Trayveon Williams
WR: Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Trenton Irwin, Andrei Iosivas, Charlie Jones
TE: Irv Smith Jr., Tanner Hudson, Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample, Mitchell Wilcox
PK: Evan McPherson

FA Signings
PlayerPosNewOld
Allen, BrandonQBSFOCIN
Perine, SamajeRBDENCIN
Sample, DrewTECINCIN
Siemian, TrevorQBCINCHI
Smith Jr., IrvTECINMIN
Taylor, TrentWRCINCIN

Pick2023 Draft Selections
1 28 Myles Murphy (EDGE)
2 29 DJ Turner (CB)
3 32 Jordan Battle (S)
4 29 Charlie Jones (WR)
5 29 Chase Brown (RB)
6 29 Andrei Iosivas (WR)
6 40 Brad Robbins (PK)
7 29 DJ Ivey (CB)

2023 Cincinnati Bengals Schedule
WKDAYMATCHUP
1Sun. Bengals vs Browns
2Sun. Ravens @ Bengals
3Mon. Rams @ Bengals
4Sun. Bengals vs Titans
5Sun. Bengals vs Cardinals
6Sun. Seahawks @ Bengals
7BYE
8Sun. Bengals vs 49ers
9Sun. Bills @ Bengals
10Sun. Texans @ Bengals
11Thur. Bengals vs Ravens
12Sun. Steelers @ Bengals
13Mon. Bengals vs Jaguars
14Sun. Colts @ Bengals
15Sun. Vikings @ Bengals
16Sat. Bengals vs Steelers
17Sun. Bengals vs Chiefs
18Sun. Browns @ Bengals