Tag: bengals

Nov 5, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) hands his gloves to fans after the victory over the Buffalo Bills at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals WR Tee Higgins (hamstring) out 3rd straight game

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins will sit out a third straight game Sunday against the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers due to a hamstring injury.

Higgins, who didn’t practice this week or last week, missed losses to the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens.

Bengals coach Zac Taylor told reporters Friday that he is encouraged by Higgins’ recovery process, pointing out that it’s only been 16 days since the wide receiver injured his hamstring at practice.

“(We) didn’t feel good about him going this week, so let’s not push him at practice,” Taylor said. “He’s pushing himself in the rehab process, but there was no reason to integrate him into practice and risk a setback with him doing something away from the trainers.”

Higgins, 24, has 27 catches for 328 yards and two touchdowns in seven games this season. In four seasons with Cincinnati, he has 242 regular-season receptions for 3,356 yards and 21 TDs. He also has 31 receptions and three TDs in seven playoff games.

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning (6) hands off to running back Trayveon Williams (32) in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Greene-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals, Steelers both transitioning heading into divison battle

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Two teams undergoing significant midseason change and turmoil meet on Sunday afternoon when the Cincinnati Bengals host the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Bengals (5-5) have followed four straight wins with two losses, including a painful 34-20 setback in Baltimore on Nov. 16.

The loss to the AFC North rival Ravens was not only costly in the standings, but it was also devastating to Cincinnati’s playoff chances, as franchise quarterback Joe Burrow was lost for the season due to a right wrist injury.

Jake Browning stepped in following Burrow’s 4-yard touchdown pass to Joe Mixon in the second quarter and will be taking over starting quarterback responsibilities going forward. Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh will mark his first career NFL start.

“It’s unfortunate to see (this happen to) a guy who works as hard as he does,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said of Burrow’s injury. “The time and energy he puts into his body and making sure he’s at his best for this organization. It kills you to watch somebody have to go through this several times now.

“That’s football. You look around the league, and this is something that happens to quarterbacks. Now it’s on the rest of the team to rally around each other and find a way out of this.”

Cincinnati has faith in Browning, though.

“I don’t think you need to cut anything back,” Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan said of the play calls. “He’s mentally capable of handling the system as it stands. … I think if you were to ask him, he’d probably get irritated if you felt like he had to cut back at all.”

While Browning also replaced Burrow in the season opener in Cleveland in the fourth quarter, he took his first meaningful NFL snaps in the Baltimore game.

Browning completed 8 of 14 passes for 68 yards with one touchdown against the Ravens. He led a 10-play field-goal drive to open the third quarter and a threw a 2-yard TD pass to Ja’Marr Chase to account for Cincinnati’s final 10 points on the night.

The Steelers aren’t changing their quarterback, but instead their offensive coordinator, as Matt Canada was fired on Tuesday and replaced with Eddie Faulkner, the team’s running backs coach.

Pittsburgh enters the game in playoff position despite an offense that is ranked 28th in both scoring (16.6 points per game) and yards per game (280.1).

After last week’s 13-10 loss at Cleveland, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin fired Canada and replaced him with Faulkner.

“We’ve got to score touchdowns in this business. You have got to win games in this business. And just the totality of it has us where we are today,” Tomlin said.

“I’m excited about Eddie Faulkner coordinating our efforts, organizing staff responsibility in meetings, organizing game planning, leading our unit as a collective in review of our tape in preparation for upcoming opponents and things of that nature, things that the coordinator does.”

While Faulkner will assume the coordinating duties, Tomlin indicated quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan will be the chief play-caller.

Defensive end Sam Hubbard missed Cincinnati’s last two games — both losses — with an ankle injury. But the team is hopeful to have him back this weekend after he returned to practice on Wednesday.

Receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) and cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (quad) did not practice for the Bengals.

Wide receiver George Pickens missed the Steelers’ practice on Wednesday due to a shin injury. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (hamstring) was also out. Fitzpatrick, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, has missed the past three games.

–Field Level Media

Aug 12, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Drew Plitt (7) walks off the field after the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals sign QB Drew Plitt to practice squad

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The Cincinnati Bengals signed quarterback Drew Plitt to the practice squad Monday, four days after losing starter Joe Burrow to a season-ending wrist injury.

Plitt originally signed with Cincinnati as an undrafted free agent out of Ball State in 2022. He appeared in a pair of preseason games that year before being released.

Plitt, 25, was not with any other NFL teams in the 2022 regular season or 2023 offseason. He played in five games for the XFL’s Arlington Renegades in 2023, completing 63 of 100 passes for 668 yards and three touchdowns, with five interceptions.

The Bengals on Monday also designated rookie running back Chase Brown to return from injured reserve. The fifth-round pick landed on IR with a hamstring injury on Oct. 28. He has five touches for 13 yards in five games this season.

Cincinnati also placed rookie guard Jaxson Kirkland on the practice squad/injured list due to a wrist injury.

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Injured Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) paces the sideline in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Greene-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals QB Joe Burrow (wrist) out for season

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow will miss the remainder of the season due to a wrist injury, head coach Zac Taylor announced Friday.

Taylor said Burrow likely will need surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist.

An MRI on Friday morning revealed the severity of the injury for Burrow, hours after he exited the Bengals’ 34-20 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter. Burrow bent over in obvious pain after throwing a 4-yard touchdown to Joe Mixon with 5:49 remaining.

Burrow said he felt a pop in his wrist on the TD pass but was in discomfort before that play.

He said “everything that I’ve seen so far is that surgery is going to be needed.” He plans to discuss options.

The NFL is investigating the team’s reporting of Burrow’s injury status going into the game.

Burrow said on Friday he wore a compression sleeve on his wrist but was not injured until Thursday night.

“This is a completely different thing,” he said. “It’s not uncommon for guys to wear compression sleeves on the plane. When you go up to that altitude, things can swell up. This is a completely new injury.”

Burrow said he sees a lot of himself in backup Jake Browning. They are good friends, and Burrow spent part of his Friday afternoon watching film with Browning to help begin preparing him to start next week.

“No moment is too big for him. He’s a guy that’s going to continue to get better,” Burrow said.

Taylor informed the full team in a meeting on Friday.

“Disappointed for Joe,” Taylor said. “You’re around this guy every single day. You see what he puts himself through to prepare himself. To make sure he’s at his best. The players, the coaches, the organization as a whole weighs heavy on the quarterbacks.

“I told him he’s going to have a long career, this is one of the many parts of adversity you’re going to go through in your career. I think this team will respond the right way.”

Cincinnati (5-5) will look to respond against the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 26, presumably with Jake Browning under center. Browning took over for Burrow and completed 8 of 14 passes for 68 yards and a touchdown on Thursday.

Taylor said he isn’t worried about the injury toll and whether it is compounding for the 26-year-old Burrow.

“If he was a normal human being, you’d worried about. He’s not,” Taylor said. “He’s just built a little bit different. That’s why I’ve got confidence he’ll respond from this the right way, the right time. That’s just part of how Joe’s built.”

Before exiting, Burrow was 11-for-17 for 101 yards and the touchdown to Mixon.

Burrow has compiled the lowest passer rating since his rookie year in 2020. He has completed 244 of 365 passes (66.8 percent) for 2,309 yards and 15 touchdowns with six interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) walks off the field after the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 11 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. The Bengals fell to the Ravens, 34-20.

NFL looking into Joe Burrow’s absence on injury report

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The NFL wants to know why quarterback Joe Burrow did not show up on the Cincinnati Bengals’ injury report before Thursday night’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

A league official confirmed to ESPN on Friday morning that an investigation is underway into the wrist injury that knocked Burrow out of the game in the second quarter of a 34-20 loss.

A video posted by the Bengals on X on Wednesday night — and later deleted — showed Burrow getting off the team bus with a protective wrap on his right hand.

The NFL is checking into Cincinnati’s compliance with the league’s injury report policy. Potential punishments for violations include hefty team fines or even lost draft picks.

Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor said he was unaware of Burrow dealing with an injury to his right wrist prior to the game in Baltimore.

“This was the first I saw anything about it,” Taylor said postgame.

Burrow went to the locker room after leading the visiting Bengals on a go-ahead drive in the second quarter. His pinky appeared to be bent awkwardly, and the QB spent several minutes in the medical tent.

Burrow bent over in obvious pain after throwing a 4-yard touchdown to Joe Mixon with 5:49 left in the second quarter for a 10-7 lead.

Before exiting, Burrow was 11-for-17 for 101 yards and the touchdown to Mixon. Jake Browning took over at quarterback for Cincinnati’s next offensive series, and he finished 8-for-14 for 68 yards and a touchdown.

The Bengals fell to 5-5 this season, during which Burrow has compiled the lowest passer rating since his rookie year in 2020. He has completed 244 of 365 passes (66.8 percent) for 2,309 yards and 15 touchdowns with six interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws during the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Joe Burrow hurt as Bengals fall to Ravens in injury-plagued game

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Lamar Jackson completed 16 of 26 passes for 264 yards and threw a pair of touchdown passes to lead the Baltimore Ravens past the visiting Cincinnati Bengals 34-20 on Thursday.

Gus Edwards added a pair of touchdown runs for the Ravens (8-3), who won their fifth game in six outings.

The game was marred by the loss of Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow to a wrist injury in the second quarter.

Jackson came out on fire, completing passes of 14 yards to Mark Andrews and 33 yards to Zay Flowers on the opening drive. Those passes set the stage for a 3-yard touchdown run by Edwards.

Cincinnati responded with a 50-yard Evan McPherson field goal.

Burrow injured his right wrist while leading his team on a go-ahead touchdown drive midway through the second quarter. Burrow bent over in obvious pain after throwing a 4-yard pass in the flat to Joe Mixon, who ran it into the end zone to put the Bengals up 10-7 with 5:49 left in the half. Burrow finished the game 11-of-17 for 101 yards and the touchdown to Mixon.

Burrow spent several minutes in the medical tent before jogging off the field and to the locker room for further treatment. TV images showed significant and immediate swelling in the area of his right wrist.

While Burrow was being treated, the Ravens appeared to take the lead on a 68-yard Jackson-to-Flowers touchdown pass down the left sideline. But Odell Beckham Jr. was call for holding Chido Awuzie. Later in the drive, a Jackson pass over the middle was deflected by Germaine Pratt and into the hands of Nelson Agholor, who raced into the end zone for a 37-yard touchdown.

Jake Browning came in for Burrow and managed to generate one first down, but the Bengals later punted. Browning finished the game 8-for-14 for 68 yards and a touchdown as Burrow’s replacement.

Jackson then marched the team 80 yards in seven plays in just 67 seconds, adding to their lead when the quarterback fired a 10-yard pass in the end zone to Rashod Bateman. Baltimore took a 21-10 lead to the locker room at the half.

The Ravens won the game despite losing tight end Mark Andrews to an ankle injury on their first drive.

Browning engineered a 10-play, 67-yard drive to open the second half, capped by a 26-yard field goal from McPherson.

Adding insult to the loss and the Burrow injury, the Bengals lost their top cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt late in the first half when he aggravated his quad on the Bateman touchdown as he slipped in the end zone.

Beckham also left the game with a shoulder injury on a Logan Wilson hit midway through the fourth quarter.

The game was halted for several minutes at the start of the fourth quarter due to a drone flying inside the stadium.

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) on the sideline during the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals QB Joe Burrow (wrist) exits game vs. Ravens

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow went to the locker room with a right wrist injury after leading the visiting Bengals on a go-ahead drive in the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday.

Burrow’s pinky appeared to be bent awkwardly and the team announced the injury after the QB spent several minutes in the medical tent.

Burrow was listed as questionable to return.

Burrow bent over in obvious pain after throwing a 4-yard touchdown to Joe Mixon with 5:49 left in the second quarter for a 10-7 lead.

Before exiting, Burrow was 11-for-17 for 101 yards and the touchdown to Mixon. Jake Browning took over at quarterback for Cincinnati’s next offensive series.

–Field Level Media

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws in the first quarter of a Week 2 NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.

Week 11 TNF: Bengals-Ravens Preview, Props, Prediction

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Two teams reeling from Sunday losses at home will try to regroup and claim a key AFC North win when the division-leading Baltimore Ravens host the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night.

The Ravens (7-3) blew a golden opportunity to put more distance between themselves and the Steelers, Browns and Bengals, losing leads of 17-3 and 31-17 at home to Cleveland in a 33-31 loss. The setback snapped a four-game win streak.

Cincinnati (5-4) also had a four-game win streak snapped when it fought back from a 27-17 hole in the final three minutes, only to watch rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud lead Houston down the field for a game-winning field goal.

QUICK PICK
The Ravens’ stout defense collapsed in the second half against the Browns, but Baltimore can make life very difficult for Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in the pocket. Both teams are banged up, but the absence of Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins is a significant blow. It could be a repeat of Baltimore’s 27-24 victory at Cincinnati in Week 2.

Prediction: Ravens 27, Bengals 24

TRENDING
The Ravens opened as 4.0-point favorites at BetMGM, where the line has shifted to 3.5 with the Bengals backed by 55 percent of the spread-line bets and 53 percent of the money. Cincinnati’s +150 moneyline has also been popular at the book, drawing 68 and 63 percent of the action, respectively.

The story has been similar at BetRivers, where the Bengals have been backed by 67 percent of the spread-line bets and 78 percent of the money. However, the public has sided with Baltimore’s moneyline at 62 and 61 percent, respectively.

The Over/Under has moved from 43.5 to 46 points at BetMGM, with the Over backed by 74 percent of the money.

PROP PICK
Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell Under 36.5 Rushing Yards (-115 at DraftKings): The Over on this prop has been the most popular at the book, but we’re going against the public. The rookie out of East Carolina backed up a breakout performance against Seattle with 34 yards against Cleveland. However, he had a long of 39 and lost 5 yards on his only other two carries. In a backfield that includes Gus Edwards and Justice Hill, look for the Ravens to lean heavily on their veteran duo in a critical divisional game.

THE NEWS
The game against Cincinnati marks the end of a three-game homestand for Baltimore while Cincinnati is in a stretch of four games where Thursday is the only road contest.

The Bengals’ defense is looking for a better effort after surrendering 17 plays of at least 20 yards in Sunday’s loss to Houston.

“You’ve got to cram a whole game plan into really about two and a half days,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “And so the team’s got to understand that. We walked off the field Sunday, it was a Wednesday afternoon, post-practice is really the point of the week you’re at. And so, you’ve got to get your bodies right after a physical long game like we had.

“Baltimore had the same thing. I mean, it really similar styles of games that were just played. And our guys have to get themselves ready and our coaches have to do a good job preparing them in a short span this week.”

KEY STAT
Zay Flowers needs just one catch for 51 on the season, which would break a tie with Torrey Smith for the all-time Ravens rookie record. On defense, Ravens safety Geno Stone leads the NFL with six interceptions.

INJURY REPORT
Both teams are dealing with a multitude of injuries heading into a game on only three days of rest.

Ravens starting right tackle Morgan Moses (shoulder) has missed two straight games, but he was a full participant in practice this week. Meanwhile, Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf), starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee) and linebacker Trenton Simpson (concussion) were hurt in Sunday’s loss to the Browns. Stanley and Simpson have been ruled out, while Humphrey is doubtful.

Wide receiver Devin Duvernay (hamstring) also sat out practice Wednesday and is questionable. Linebacker Kyle Van Noy (groin) and guard John Simpson (illness, shoulder) did return to full practice by Wednesday.

“I think we’re dealing with it right now. We’ve done a good job of that,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of the injury woes. “We’ve been on the road (a lot). We’ve (played) very tough teams in very physical games, and I feel like our guys have handled it very well.

“We have to continue to do it. That’s probably the main point right now: It’s how we handle that and how we approach it. Our job is to handle it better than our opponents do.”

Higgins will miss his second consecutive game with a hamstring injury and will be joined on the Cincinnati sideline by edge rusher Sam Hubbard (ankle) and rookie wide receiver Andrei Iosivas (knee).

Bengals star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson hyperextended his left knee when Houston receiver Noah Brown rolled into him on the play before the game-winning field goal. Hendrickson practiced in full by Wednesday, but is considered a game-time decision.

THEY SAID IT
“We live, we grow, we get better. Every team is tested, and we’re getting tested. So I’m excited for (Thursday).” –Ravens tight end Mark Andrews, who enters Thursday just one touchdown shy of matching Todd Heap for the team’s all-time mark of 41.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) reacts after completing a catch in the fourth quarter during a Week 9 NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.

Bengals WR Tee Higgins out again with hamstring injury

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins won’t play against the rival Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, missing his second straight game with a hamstring injury.

Higgins, who has not practiced this week, came away with the injury at practice last Wednesday and missed Sunday’s 30-27 loss to the Houston Texans.

The Bengals (5-4) lost to the AFC North-leading Ravens (7-3) at home in Week 2 despite Higgins catching eight passes for 89 yards and two touchdowns — his only scores this season.

Defensive end Sam Hubbard (ankle) and wide receiver Andrei Iosivas (knee) were also ruled out. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati’s top pass rusher, will play Thursday after injuring his knee against the Texans.

Higgins, 24, has 27 catches for 328 yards in seven games this season. In four seasons with Cincinnati, he has 242 regular-season receptions for 3,356 yards and 21 TDs. He also has 31 receptions and three TDs in seven playoff games.

–Field Level Media

Nov 5, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89) runs with the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports

Banged-up Ravens, Bengals meet for vital division clash on TNF

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Two teams reeling from Sunday losses at home will try to regroup and claim a key AFC North win when the division-leading Baltimore Ravens host the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night.

The Ravens (7-3) blew a golden opportunity to put more distance between themselves and the Steelers, Browns and Bengals, losing leads of 17-3 and 31-17 at home to Cleveland in a 33-31 loss. The setback snapped a four-game win streak.

Cincinnati (5-4) also had a four-game win streak snapped when they fought back from a 27-17 hole in the final three minutes, only to watch rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud lead Houston down the field for a game-winning field goal.

“We live, we grow, we get better. Every team is tested, and we’re getting tested. So I’m excited for (Thursday),” said Ravens tight end Mark Andrews, who enters Thursday just one touchdown shy of matching Todd Heap for the team’s all-time mark of 41.

The game against Cincinnati marks the end of a three-game homestand for Baltimore while Cincinnati is in a stretch of four games where Thursday is the only road contest.

Baltimore claimed a 27-24 victory at Cincinnati in Week 2.

Zay Flowers needs just one catch for 51 on the season, which would break a tie with Torrey Smith for the all-time Ravens rookie record. On defense, Ravens safety Geno Stone leads the NFL with six interceptions.

The Bengals’ defense is looking for a better effort after surrendering 17 plays of at least 20 yards in Sunday’s loss to Houston.

Both teams are also dealing with a multitude of injuries heading into a game on only three days of rest.

Ravens starting right tackle Morgan Moses (shoulder) has missed two straight games while Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey (ankle), starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee) and linebacker Trenton Simpson (concussion) left Sunday’s loss to the Browns and did not return.

“I think we’re dealing with it right now. We’ve done a good job of that,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of the injury woes. “We’ve been on the road (a lot). We’ve (played) very tough teams in very physical games, and I feel like our guys have handled it very well.

“We have to continue to do it. That’s probably the main point right now: It’s how we handle that and how we approach it. Our job is to handle it better than our opponents do.”

The Bengals lost star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson to a hyperextended left knee when Houston receiver Noah Brown rolled into him on the play before the game-winning field goal.

Hendrickson is expected to miss Thursday’s game, while Hendrickson’s bookend, edge Sam Hubbard, is dealing with a right ankle injury and missed last Sunday’s loss.

Rookie receiver Andrei Iosivas suffered a knee injury but finished the game Sunday against Houston.

The Bengals also missed the services of star receiver Tee Higgins, who is nursing a hamstring injury suffered Nov. 8 in practice. He also sat out last Sunday’s game vs. Houston.

“You’ve got to cram a whole game plan into really about two and a half days,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “And so the team’s got to understand that. We walked off the field Sunday, it was a Wednesday afternoon, post-practice is really the point of the week you’re at. And so, you’ve got to get your bodies right after a physical long game like we had.

“Baltimore had the same thing. I mean, it really similar styles of games that were just played. And our guys have to get themselves ready and our coaches have to do a good job preparing them in a short span this week.”

–Field Level Media