Mike

Thomas

Dobbins can be removed from the PUP list at any time. It’s not clear what Dobbins is dealing with, though it wouldn’t be a surprise for subsequent reports to say he is still working through the knee issues that have plagued him over the past two years. The Ravens also signed Melvin Gordon earlier today, so it’s clear they are prepared to be without Dobbins for at least the start of training camp. Baltimore also placed FB Patrick Ricard, WR Mike Thomas, CB Pepe Williams, and DT Rayshad Nichols on the PUP list. Linebacker Tyus Bowser was placed on the NFI list.

Thomas was tasked with filling in for Ja’Marr Chase after Chase exited in Week 7 with a hip injury. Thomas saw an increased role in Week 8, with Chase sidelined, but failed to haul in his only target. The veteran receiver hasn’t caught a pass since Week 5 and has just two receptions for 38 yards on the season.

Thomas entered the game as the de facto fill-in for Ja’Marr Chase and left all fantasy relevance on the field in Week 8. Creating separation has never been Thomas’ game, which was on full display against a young Cleveland secondary without its top play maker. Fantasy managers that took a gamble on Thomas can safely return him to the waiver wire abyss.

Higgins was held out for most of the team’s Week 5 loss to the Ravens with the ankle issue, which held him out of practice until Friday. Higgins seems to have a chance to play in Week 6 against the Saints, though he could play at a limited capacity and be disastrous for fantasy purposes. Higgins drafters should head into the weekend planning on being without Higgins. With Higgins out of the lineups last week, Mike Thomas played in most three-wideout sets. He’s not fantasy viable outside the deepest leagues.

The substitute for Tee Higgins throughout most of the game, Thomas’ lone 33-yard catch set up Cincinnati’s first touchdown. He was well-covered by Marcus Peters on one incompletion, while the other was tipped at the line by the Ravens. While he may have been the most effective wideout named Mike Thomas in Week 5, he was no replacement for Higgins and won’t be recommended in Week 6 if he plays a major role.

The “other” Mike Thomas, this one has 28 career catches for 328 yards and one touchdown in 66 games with the Rams and Bengals. He’s a mainstay on special teams for Cincinnati.

The Bengals are among the healthiest teams in the NFL headed into Week 7. Cincy’s offense is fully healthy now with Joe Mixon and Tee Higgins recovered from their respective injuries.

No major surprises among the Bengals inactives. They’ll be at near full health against the Lions, including having Joe Mixon likely back in his normal role, and all three starting wide receivers at full health.

Nothing to see here. Joe Mixon (ankle) is surprisingly active, ranking as a high-end RB2 (albeit a risky one) since he’ll reportedly see “pretty darn close” to his usual 15-plus touch workload.

Thomas, 26, most recently set career-highs with 13 catches for 132 yards during the 2020 season in Cincinnati. He’ll enter camp in a competition with Alex Erickson and Auden Tate for the team’s No. 3/4 receiving roles.