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.