Trenton

Irwin

The long-time Bengal simply fell behind Jermaine Burton and Andrei Iosivas in the pecking order, making him expendable. He only caught three passes for 15 yards for Cincinnati this year. The 28-year-old offers special teams value and probably will be able to pick up a new job for the final month of the season.

Burton has been rotating in and out of the wide receiver rotation with Trenton Irwin, but both were active this week with Tee Higgins (quad) out. Burton was targeted three times, catching 41-yard long ball along the sideline for his only catch. He notably also had an endzone target that was broken up. Meanwhile, Irwin caught his sole target for four yards. Neither player is fantasy relevant for next week.

The Bengals enter Week 7 without too many injury inactives. Irwin is a healthy scratch, with Jermaine Burton rotating back into the wide receiver rotation this week. Burton has gotten limited opportunities when active, so fantasy managers should not expect much from him against the Browns this week.

This doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Higgins was listed as doubtful after missing all three practices this week. His status for Week 3 is now up in the air as well. Andrei Iosivas will serve as Joe Burrow’s No. 2 receiver again this week while Trenton Irwin steps in for No. 3 duties. Iosivas ranks as a low-end WR5 after reeling in just three catches for 26 yards in Week 1. Irwin is not on the fantasy radar heading into Week 2.

Taylor was responding to a question about Burton seeing more snaps if Tee Higgins (hamstring) remains out. In that context, Taylor’s response is more of a polite non-answer than a compliment. The third-round rookie had a quiet offseason and ran just one route in Week 1. The Bengals will continue to roll with Trenton Irwin as their WR3 until Higgins returns.

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.

Irwin had the best season of his career in 2023 when he stepped in to catch 25 passes for 316 yards and one touchdown while Tee Higgins missed five games. Now back in Cincinnati, Irwin can once again be counted on his depth behind Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase, and could find himself in a slightly increased role if the Bengals were to trade Higgins.

It closes the book on a career campaign for 28-year-old Irwin, with his 25 catches going down as a new personal best. Not a bad total for a career backup, but the only number that matters there is Irwin’s age. Even if both Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd depart in free agency, Irwin isn’t going to be a part of the Bengals’ future plans on offense. Special teams, maybe.

Higgins has missed back-to-back games due to a hamstring issue and is still sidelined as the Bengals begin Week 12 practices. With Jake Browning now at quarterback, the Bengals may be less inclined to rush Higgins back. We’ll see if he can practice later in the week, but Higgins is in danger of missing another game. WR Trenton Irwin (hip) practiced in full and WR Andrei Iosivas (knee) was limited, both would be slated for increased opportunities should Higgins miss Week 12 against the Steelers.