TE Irv Smith has agreed to a 1-year deal with the Bengals. The 50th overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft posted a promising 36-311-2 line as a rookie -- but then missed 3 games in 2020, the entire 2021 season with a torn meniscus in his knee and then half of this past year with a high-ankle sprain. Smith was an intriguing prospect coming out of Alabama: a catch-first TE who broke out for 710 yards and 7 TDs on 16.1 yards per catch as a junior. And this is about as strong a landing spot as we could have hoped for. The Bengals are looking to replace TE Hayden Hurst, who averaged 5.5 targets, 4.2 catches and 36 yards across 15 healthy games last season (including playoffs). He ranked 18th among TEs in PPR points per game and 16th in expected PPR points per game. That's a fair expectation level for Smith. Consider him a TE2 with spike-week potential in early best-ball drafts.

The Bengals are re-signing LB Germaine Pratt for three years at $21 million, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Pratt's playing time fluctuated a bit in 2022, his fourth season with the team. His 75.6% snap share across 15 regular-season games marked a career high and his third straight increase in that category. Pratt also played 83% or more of the snaps in each of the final five contests, including the three playoff contests. Cincinnati also significantly decreased Pratt's special-teams role in 2022. All of this points to Pratt potentially delivering more consistent IDP value in 2023. We boosted him up the dynasty rankings on this contract news.

The Athletic's Jay Morrison writes that the Bengals cutting RB Joe Mixon "feels closer to a certainty than a mere possibility." The move would save Cincinnati $7.3 million against the 2023 salary cap. "The Bengals envisioned this scenario coming into play when they signed Mixon to a four-year, $48 million contract in 2020, and structured the deal so that they could get out of it two years early without much of a hit," Morrison adds. Mixon averaged just 58 rushing yards per game on 3.9 yards per carry last year. He ranked 47th among 51 qualifying RBs in Pro Football Focus' Elusive Rating and 27th in NFL Next Gen Stats' Rush Yards Over Expected Per Attempt. Mixon was also accused of pointing a gun at a woman in downtown Cincinnati in January. We'll see if the Bengals send him packing before the start of free agency in mid-March. RB Samaje Perine is set to hit the open market then, leaving Chris Evans as Cincinnati's only other RB signed for 2023. Expect the Bengals to make a significant addition to the backfield -- via free agency or the draft -- if they do cut Mixon.

The misdemeanor menacing charge against Bengals RB Joe Mixon was dismissed by a judge on Friday, at the request of the prosecution. But the prosecution reserves the right to re-file the case after additional investigation. The legal side of this story isn't over yet. And the NFL can discipline Mixon even if he isn't legally found guilty. That has Mixon's 2023 and dynasty value in limbo for now. We'll keep you updated on the situation.

Bengals RB Joe Mixon is being charged with "aggravated menacing" for an incident that allegedly occurred in downtown Cincinnati the day before the Divisional Round game against the Bills. Mixon is accused of pointing a gun at a woman and saying, "You should be popped in the face, I should shoot you, the police can't get me." NFL Network's Tom Pelissero spoke Thursday night with Mixon's agent, who claims the charge will be dropped on Friday. We'll keep you updated on the situation. Remember that Mixon entered the NFL with red flags after he was caught on camera punching a woman at a restaurant in 2014.

Bengals RB Joe Mixon rushed 20 times for 105 yards and 1 score in Sunday’s win over Buffalo. So much for Cincy’s banged up O-line. Playing with backups, Mixon posted his best YPC average since Week 14. The 100-yard outing also marked the most from a postseason Bengal since Cedric Benson in 2010. Next comes a rematch of last season’s AFC Championship game, again in Kansas City.

Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase tallied 5 catches, 61 yards and 1 score in Sunday’s win over Buffalo. That makes 5 straight games with a TD for the former LSU star. Chase scored in the 1st quarter on blown coverage. Later, he appeared to score in the back of the end zone, but upon review, refs determined that he didn’t complete the catch. Chase now hits the road to face Kansas City in the AFC Championship game.

Bengals LT Jonah Williams dislocated his left kneecap in Sunday night's win over the Ravens, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. HC Zac Taylor called Williams' status "week to week" on Monday. That suggests the LT will have trouble getting back in time for Sunday's game at Buffalo -- but that he has a chance to return if Cincinnati continues to advance. Reserve G Jackson Carman filled in against Baltimore after Williams went down. QB Joe Burrow still drew pressure on just 28.2% of his dropbacks for the game, according to Pro Football Focus, the 4th lowest rate among the 10 starting QBs so far in these playoffs.

Bengals RB Joe Mixon mustered only 39 yards on 11 carries in Sunday’s win over Baltimore. He’s now been held to only 1 TD over his past 6 outings. Mixon at least remained a key part of the passing game, racking up 3+ catches for the 14th time (in 15 games) this season. The Bengals now travel to Buffalo for the Divisional Round. The Bills have allowed 4.3 YPC to opposing RBs this season.

Bengals QB Joe Burrow completed 23 of 32 passes for 209 yards and 1 TD in Sunday’s win over Baltimore. He leaned heavily on Ja’Marr Chase, who finished with 9-84-1 on a 37.5% target share. Burrow added a 1-yard TD on a sneak. Next up is a must-see matchup at Buffalo (Sunday, 3PM ET). The Bills exited the regular season sitting 2nd toughest vs. enemy QBs.

Bengals WR Tee Higgins (illness) practiced fully on Friday and doesn't possess an injury designation in advance of Sunday's Wild Card game vs. the Ravens. The third-year wideout flopped last week, logging only 1 catch for 7 yards on 7 targets against this same Ravens defense. We expect Higgins to perform much better in this rematch as the Ravens rank as the 10th-best matchup for opposing WRs in adjusted fantasy points allowed.

Bengals WR Tee Higgins (illness) managed to practice in a limited fashion on Thursday. It's good to see the wideout is feeling better. We certainly hope he gets back to full health soon. We'll keep an eye on his status for Sunday's Wild Card game vs. the Ravens tomorrow.

Bengals WR Tee Higgins (illness) didn't practice on Wednesday. We certainly hope he feels better and that he'll be able to practice soon ahead of Sunday's Wild Card game vs. the Ravens. We'll keep an eye on this situation in the coming days.

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.

Vikings TE Irv Smith has been activated from IR, putting him on track to play vs. the Bears on Sunday. He's been out since going down with a significant high-ankle sprain in Week 8. Smith's return is a boost to Minnesota's passing game, but he's unlikely to be a big fantasy factor in the postseason behind TE T.J. Hockenson.

Bengals DL Sam Hubbard (calf) is questionable for Monday night's game against the Bills. He remained limited in practice all week after missing last Saturday's game. Hubbard might be worth a shot if his game weren't the last of the weekend. As it is, it will be difficult to wait for him in IDP lineups -- especially without knowing whether an active Hubbard might see a more limited role than usual. Try to avoid him.

Vikings TE Irv Smith (ankle) has been designated to return from IR. He's been out since going down with a significant high-ankle sprain in Week 8. Minnesota, of course, swung a deal for TE T.J. Hockenson since then. Smith's return could be a slight boost to the Vikings passing game, but he won't be a fantasy factor in the regular season or playoffs, barring a Hockenson injury.

Bengals RB Joe Mixon rushed 16 times for 65 yards (4.1 per rush) in Saturday's win over the Patriots. He added 7 receptions for 43 yards among 9 targets (tied for 2nd on the team). The efficiency wasn't great, but it was nice to see Mixon clearly leading the backfield in both phases. He goes up against the Bills in Week 17.

Bengals QB Joe Burrow went 40-of-52 passing for 375 yards and 3 TDs (plus 2 INTs) in Saturday's win over the Patriots. Cincinnati dropped back on 65.5% of offensive plays despite jumping to a big early lead, facing a defense that has played the run tough. Burrow's scores went to WR Trenton Irwin (2) and WR Tee Higgins, who led the team with 128 yards on 8 catches. WR Ja'Marr Chase matched Higgins forr the reception lead, going for 79 yards. Cincinnati hosts the Bills in Week 17.

Bengals CB Cam Taylor-Britt (shoulder) is active for today's game against the Patriots.