Bengals release WR Charlie Jones

Jones has been a special-teamer only for the Bengals, falling well behind Mitchell Tinsley on the depth chart this year. He managed 20 offensive snaps and 106 special-teams snaps as a returner. Entering the final year of his rookie deal, Jones is not worth rostering in fantasy leagues, but has been a solid core special teamer for the Bengals.

Higgins still hasn’t cleared concussion protocol, but the questionable designation suggests he could have a chance to clear it before Sunday’s game. His status will be one to watch heading into the weekend, but if Higgins is unable to go, Mitchell Tinsley would again see an expanded role in his absence. While Higgins is questionable, TE Noah Fant (ankle), DE Joseph Ossai (ankle), and WR Charlie Jones (ankle) have all been ruled out.

Brown did not practice to begin the week after head coach Zac Taylor called him day-to-day on Monday. He participated in the Monday walkthrough, but is officially a non-participant for Wednesday after missing the last two games for the Bengals. LB Joe Bachie (hip), DT B.J. Hill (knee), and WR Charlie Jones (groin) were also non-participants on the Bengals’ Wednesday practice report.

Jones suffered a groin injury in practice last week and missed Week 9 against the Raiders. He has primarily been a reserve and kick return specialist this season, catching one pass for five yards and returning 14 punts and five kicks this season, including a 100-yard kick return touchdown in Week 8. Trenton Irwin will fill in Jones’ role if he misses Thursday against the Ravens.

Higgins will be inactive for the second straight game due to a quad injury. He has not practiced in over a week and will now miss Week 9 against the Raiders. Andrei Iosivas is the primary beneficiary of Higgins’ absence with Charlie Jones (groin) out and Jermaine Burton a surprising healthy scratch. Iosivas has some FLEX upside, though expect the Bengals offense to primarily run through Ja’Marr Chase, Mike Gesicki, and Chase Brown. The Bengals have a quick turnaround to a Thursday game in Week 10, so Higgins will possibly miss that game as well. Burton, meanwhile, seems to be out of favor with Bengals coaches, receiving a healthy scratch with both Higgins and Jones out.

Hubbard was a surprise addition to the Bengals’ injury report. The veteran pass rusher has played in every game for the team this season and has 33 tackles and two sacks on the year. We’ll have a better sense of his Week 9 availability when Friday’s injury report is released. Wide receiver Charlie Jones (groin) and safety Geno Stone (shin) were also added to Thursday’s report and listed as limited.

It’s incredibly rare for players to suit up after getting hit with the doubtful tag, so fantasy managers should move forward as if Higgins won’t be active on Sunday. Ja’Marr Chase is questionable after missing much of the offseason program while holding out for a new contract. Even if Chase plays, it’s hard to know how much he will be on the feel given his lack of practice reps. Andrei Iosivas was already locked in as the No. 3 receiver and will now play an even larger role in the offense. Trenton Irwin and Charlie Jones will also see some reps while rookie Jermaine Burton appears to be buried on the depth.

Dehner writes that receivers Charlie Jones and Trenton Irwin could rotate in “at times” but says Iosivas has earned the role as the Bengals’ third receiver. He also says we shouldn’t expect rookie Jermaine Burton “to contribute anytime soon.” Iosivas was a lanky and speedy prospect out of Princeton who blazed a 4.43 at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. He caught just 15 passes for 116 yards and four touchdowns last season but saw a spot open up this offseason after the team opted not to re-sign Tyler Boyd. The target gap between Iosivas and Chase/Higgins will be a wide one. We wouldn’t expect much more than WR4/WR5 production from him in most weeks as long as the Bengals’ top target earners are healthy.

Jones was largely quiet in his slot receiver role but dazzled on special teams, returning one kickoff for 48 yards and two punt returns for 12 yards. Jones rounds out the Bengals’ talented skill position group but is unlikely to be re-draft-relevant unless he competes for the starting slot role.

Jones last played in Week 2 against the Ravens and will now make his return in Week 11 against them. In that matchup against the Ravens, Jones found the end zone on an 81-yard punt return but hasn’t contributed much on offense in limited action. With Tee Higgins (hamstring) ruled out for Week 11, it’s possible Jones offers a bit more offensive output, but we wouldn’t bank on it. He should resume his role as the team’s punt returner, however.