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Bengals WR Tee Higgins (rib) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Cardinals. He returned to a limited practice on Friday, which seemingly gives him a chance to return for Week 6. Tyler Boyd will serve as Cincinnati’s No. 2 WR today but is just a WR4 in fantasy lineups in a struggling Bengals offense.
Bengals WR Tee Higgins (rib) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game vs. the Cardinals. He got in a limited practice on Friday, which seemingly gives him a shot to return for Week 6 -- although it's worth noting that Cincinnati has a Week 7 bye. Tyler Boyd will operate as the Bengals' No. 2 WR this weekend and is a fine WR4 play in fantasy lineups.
Bengals WR Tee Higgins suffered a rib fracture in Sunday's loss to the Titans, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "Could keep him off the field for a bit," Rapoport added. We should get a more concrete timeline for Higgins' return on Monday. His absence will elevate Tyler Boyd to the No. 2 spot on the WR depth chart, although it's tough to get excited about him as a fantasy option with the Bengals passing game scuffling.
Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase roped in 7 of 9 targets for 73 yards vs. the Titans in Week 4. His teammate Tyler Boyd (4 receptions, 26 yards) is the only other player to record more than 2 catches in the loss. That group unfortunately includes Tee Higgins, who saw just 2 catches for 19 yards before leaving with a rib injury. This offense has been off to a slow start in 2023 due in large part to QB Joe Burrow’s calf injury. They’ll have a chance to improve in Week 5 vs. the Cardinals.
Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase delivered big for fantasy managers in Week 3 vs. the Rams, catching 12 of 15 targets for 141 yards in the victory. Teammate Tyler Boyd had a productive outing as well, hauling 5 of 9 targets for 39 yards of his own. Those who were frustrated by the lack of huge production from Chase early in the year are surely happy after this showing. WR Tee Higgins, however, hit another skid in primetime action. He drew 8 targets but was only able to record 2 catches for 21 yards on those opportunities, bringing his catch rate to 40% on the season. Hopefully, all of these players will be able to click at the same time in what should be a good matchup against the Titans in Week 4.
Bengals WR Tee Higgins racked up an 8-89-2 receiving line on a team-high 12 targets in Sunday's loss to the Ravens. That marked a big rebound from his 0-catch opener. WRs Tyler Boyd and Ja'Marr Chase tied for second with 8 targets apiece. Boyd tallied 6 catches for 52 yards; Chase snagged 5 receptions for just 31 yards. The game marked significant improvement for the Cincinnati passing game over Week 1. But it'll need to rebound further to deliver on the draft positions of Burrow and his top WRs. Burrow's aggravation of his calf injury won't help. We'll see about his status heading into an upside Week 3 matchup with the Rams. After that comes non-scary spots against the Titans, Cardinals, and Seahawks -- ahead of a Week 7 bye.
Bengals WR Tyler Boyd addressed his contract situation on Tuesday. The 28-year-old is entering the final year of a 4-year, $43 million deal. “I know I’m going to be a free agent next year, and at the end of the day, it will come down to money,” he said. “I have a great, strong feeling that they will come with an offer to where it’s still going to be tough for me to leave ’cause this is my family. I spent my whole career here.” Boyd also admitted he’s behind Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins when it comes to the Bengals’ contract priorities. For 2023, at least, Boyd remains a bench stash who's best utilized when either Higgins or Ja’Marr Chase are inactive.
The Athletic's Paul Dehner believes rookie WR Charlie Jones has a chance to take over as the Bengals' slot receiver when Tyler Boyd's contract runs out at the end of the 2023 season. “No matter where you throw the ball, he’s going to make the play,” WRs coach Troy Walters said of Jones. “He’s a technical route runner. If it’s a 15-yard route, he’s going to run 15. If it’s 12 yards, he’s going to get 12. He knows how to manipulate coverages to beat the defenders at the top of his routes. He just knows how to get open. He’s a football player, and that’s what we need. Very similar to when I was in Indianapolis with Peyton Manning. With Joe (Burrow), he wants you to be in the right spot at the right time, and that’s what Charlie does. He’s going to be in the right spot. He’s someone that Joe can count on.” Jones would need an injury to Boyd, Ja'Marr Chase, or Tee Higgins to have any chance at 2023 fantasy value. But he's an intriguing bench stash in deeper dynasty leagues as a potential asset in 2024 and beyond.
The Bengals added WR Charlie Jones in the 4th round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Jones is coming off a huge 2023 season for Purdue: 110 catches, 1,361 yards, and 12 TDs. So why did he last until Round 4? Because 2023 was Jones' sixth year in college. He did nothing across 2 seasons at Buffalo and then 3 at Iowa. He's already 24 years old and is just 175 pounds. It's a shaky prospect profile. This is a sneaky strong long-term landing spot, though. Jones is tied to QB Joe Burrow. And WRs Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd are set to hit free agency next offseason. It makes Jones worth stashing in deeper dynasty leagues.
Bengals WR Tyler Boyd left in the 2nd quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Ravens to be checked for a concussion. We'll pass along an update on his status when we get one.
Update: Boyd was cleared to return.
The NFL announced that the Bills-Bengals game will not be rescheduled. It's officially a no-contest and players do not receive any stats for the game. Commissioner Roger Goodell is also recommending that the AFC Championship Game be played at a neutral site if the Bills or Bengals make it there as the road team. All 32 teams will vote on that proposal on Friday.
Update: The NFL owners have approved these changes to the playoff setup.
The NFL announced Tuesday that it won't resume the Bills-Bengals game -- halted by S Damar Hamlin's collapse -- this week. The league added that it will keep the Week 18 schedule intact and that no decision has yet been made on how to treat Monday night's game going forward. That means fantasy football leagues and contest providers will either have to wait for further word on the resumption of that contest or figure out alternate solutions. We'll certainly be watching for updates on that front -- as well as, of course, any updates on Hamlin's condition.
Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase logged 7 catches on 13 targets for 60 yards, leading all Bengals receivers in those categories in Sunday's win over the Buccaneers. Chase also found the end zone in Week 15, in addition to teammates Tyler Boyd, Tee Higgins, and TE Mitchell Wilcox. Both Boyd and Higgins wound up with 5 catches apiece. While no one besides Chase cracked the 50-yard mark (Boyd with 35 yards, Higgins with 33), fantasy managers who rolled out these Bengals WRs had their days saved by TDs. Next week brings a tough matchup against the Patriots, who rank 7th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs. Still consider Chase a top-5 option, but Higgins is more of a low-end WR2, and Boyd a flex candidate in Week 16.
Bengals WR Tyler Boyd (finger) is active for today’s game vs. the Bucs. He carries elevated risk playing through the dislocated finger he suffered last week.
The Bengals expect to have both WRs Tee Higgins (hamstring) and Tyler Boyd (finger) in the lineup today against the Buccaneers, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Both guys are listed as questionable, so we'll watch for pregame confirmation. We'll also keep an eye out for any specifics on Higgins' planned usage after he barely appeared in last week's game.
Bengals WR Tyler Boyd (finger) is listed as questionable for this weekend's game vs. the Bucs. He practiced all week, including a full workout on Friday, so Boyd is seemingly on track to play. He carries elevated risk, though, after dislocating a finger last week.
Bengals WRs Tee Higgins (hamstring) and Tyler Boyd (finger) were limited again in Thursday's practice. Boyd said that he has "some pain" with that finger but is preparing to play vs. the Bucs this weekend. We'll see how these guys are listed on the final injury report tomorrow.
Bengals WR Tyler Boyd (finger) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero said earlier this week that Boyd "could miss a week or 2" with his dislocated finger, but it looks like he at least has a chance to play vs. the Bucs this weekend. We'll get another update on Boyd tomorrow.
Bengals WR Tyler Boyd "could miss a week or 2" with his dislocated finger, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. "Healing, pain tolerance will dictate when he returns," Pelissero adds. We'll track Boyd's rehab, but fantasy owners should plan on being without him for at least Week 15.
Bengals WR Tyler Boyd "will likely be week-to-week" with his dislocated finger, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "The injury is not believed to be a long-term concern," Fowler adds. It sounds like Boyd is in danger of at least missing Week 15, but we'll keep an eye on his status throughout the coming week.
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