AndreiIosivas

Oct 12

Earlier in the week, it seemed like Cincinnati would be without its top four wide receivers.

Ja'Marr Chase didn't practice Wednesday and was limited Thursday, then upgraded to full Friday with a concussion. Tee Higgins didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, then upgraded to full Friday with groin and neck injuries. They were both ruled questionable but were ultimately active. Third receiver Andrei Iosivas remains on injured reserve, while fourth receiver Colbie Young missed back-to-back games due to a knee injury. Chase’s playing time was normal in this one, while Higgins was rotated out a little more frequently than usual but only in 12 personnel, as he played 100% of 11 personnel snaps. It was Mitch Tinsley typically taking Higgins' spot. In 11 personnel, Dohnte Meyers played 100% of snaps as the third receiver. This generally led to targets being more spread out than usual, including touchdowns by Tanner Hudson and Mike Gesicki. Erick All Jr. finished second on the team in receiving yards at 25. Going forward, fantasy managers ideally don’t need to worry about the playing time of Chase and Higgins.

Oct 5

The Bengals started this game down two of their top four wide receivers. They have used Andrei Iosivas as their third wide receiver over the last three seasons, but he landed on injured reserve over a week ago, allowing fourth-round rookie Colbie Young a chance to step up. He lasted one snap in his new role before suffering a knee injury, which led Young to sit out this week as well. This left former Canadian Football League player Dohnte Meyers to step up in the third receiver role. This past week, the Bengals released Ke’Shawn Williams despite being down a receiver. As a result, they signed Mitch Tinsley off the Houston Texans‘ practice squad. Tinsley was the Bengals' fourth wide receiver last season. The Bengals followed their expected wide receiver rotation in the first quarter, with Chase and Higgins taking 10 snaps of a possible 11, Meyers playing six Tinsley seeing two. Once Chase left the game, Meyers was consistently on the field, playing 35 of a possible 37 snaps over the first three quarters without Higgins, while Tinsley was the third receiver in 11 personnel. Higgins suffered his leg injury with five minutes left in the game. He tried to return for two plays, but ultimately missed the final 11 plays of the contest. This meant Meyers was the top receiver, and Tinsley was the second option. Meyers is the clear waiver-wire target. He caught seven passes for 82 yards in this game. Even if only Chase or Higgins misses next week, Meyers should have a full time role in the Bengals' offense, in a great matchup against the Miami Dolphins defense.