Cincinnati

Bengals

It’s the second waiver claim on Wilson in as many years, as the Patriots claimed him in the middle of last season from the Cardinals. Wilson has yet to deliver above a 61.2 PFF coverage grade in his four years in the NFL, but with DJ Turner (clavicle) down, the Bengals clearly needed depth at corner.

He has “the potential to be gone for the year” and the Bengals are looking to add options in the secondary per Taylor. Turner had some big plays in Week 11’s loss to the Chargers and was just starting to round in to form. It’s a tough loss for a defense that is already best described as beleaguered.

According to Rapoport, Turner will seek a second opinion on his injury, but the second-year corner “is likely out for the season.” Turner has started every game for the Bengals this season, earning a PFF coverage grade of 68.4 while allowing 21 receptions for 253 yards on 39 targets. He has yet to allow a touchdown this season and has broken up eight passes, per PFF. His loss would be a tough one for a Bengals defense that is already struggling to slow its opponents.

Pro Football Focus charted Herbert as playing only four snaps in Los Angeles on Sunday evening. So much for Herbert being ready for more work after getting the Bengals’ “mini bye” to catch up on the system. Herbert has contingency value behind Chase Brown, but not the kind that is worth a roster spot during the sprint to the fantasy playoffs.

Gesicki immediately faded into irrelevance with the return of Tee Higgins following a three-game absence for the veteran wide receiver, failing to catch either of his two targets while seeing his snap rate plummet. It appears the mid-season surge in volume and production was just a flash in the pan, with fantasy managers clear to release him back to the waiver wire void.

Iosivas played a complementary role with the return of Tee Higgins following a three-game absence, finishing fourth in receiving behind Ja’Marr Chase, Higgins, and newfound workhorse running back Chase Brown. He made a striking grab over the middle of the field with 18 seconds remaining to give the team a chance at a Hail Mary as time expired, a pass that ultimately fell to the ground incomplete to seal the game. Iosivas’ fleeting fantasy value has all but evaporated with a full supporting cast.

Chase drew consistent double coverage against a stingy Chargers defense but still managed to score two second half touchdowns to bring the Bengals all the way back from a 27-6 deficit. They would ultimately come up just short as a Hail Mary to Tee Higgins fell through his hands in the end zone as time expired, with the loss dropping the team to 4-7 and on the outside looking in for a playoff spot out of the AFC. Their Week 12 meeting with the Steelers is likely to determine whether they have a chance at making a late push towards the postseason.

Higgins returned from a three-game absence to nearly double the yardage of the next pass-catcher in the offense, with Ja’Marr Chase checking in with 75 yards and two touchdowns. The Bengals fall to 4-7 with the loss and now find their backs against the wall as they struggle to stay alive in the AFC playoff picture, with next week’s meeting with the Steelers likely determining their season. The Bengals continue to lead the league in pass rate over expectation, something that is likely to keep both primary pass-catchers in Cincinnati fed with volume the remainder of the season.

Brown did everything but find the end zone against a stout Chargers defense that had held the previous nine opponents to just over 13 points per game before the Bengals broke through for 27 on the backs of a massive third quarter. Brown handled every running back opportunity for the Bengals, suddenly finding himself in one of the few true workhorse situations in the league following the placement of Zack Moss on injured reserve. Fantasy managers can start Brown with confidence for as long as Moss remains out, which appears could last longer than the four-game minimum.

The Bengals roared back from a 27-6 deficit early in the third quarter to tie the game at 27 after three straight touchdowns with over 12 minutes to play. They would ultimately come up short after trading defensive blows with the Chargers throughout the remainder of the fourth quarter before a 29-yard rushing score from J.K. Dobbins broke the tie with only 18 seconds remaining. Burrow actually had the team in position for a Hail Mary following a long completion to Andre Iosivas, a pass that fell incomplete after Tee Higgins couldn’t secure the ball in the end zone. The Bengals fall to 4-7 with the loss and now find their backs against the wall as they prepare to face the Steelers in Week 12.