Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers Tee Higgins (quadricep) and Jermaine Burton (coach's decision) are inactive for Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Higgins, listed as doubtful, was trending in the wrong direction after missing three practices in a row. He has missed four games this year, averaging 5.8 catches, 68.2 yards, and 0.6 touchdowns. Burton's absence is a little more surprising given that he played a career-high 41 percent of snaps last week, adding a 41-yard reception along the way. Evidently, head coach Zac Taylor hasn't seen enough out of the rookie and is making him inactive. With Higgins and Burton sidelined, Andrei Iosivas and Trenton Irwin should see additional opportunities behind Ja'Marr Chase.

Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert was a healthy scratch from last week's loss to the Washington Commanders. Now, it's being reported that the organization has given Herbert permission to seek a trade. Herbert has fallen out of the rotation with D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson playing well right now. That being said, the Bears don't have much incentive to play Herbert who is in his final year of his contract. The 26-year-old has rushed for over 600 yards over the last previous seasons. He has a cheap salary and could be worth the risk for a contending team trying to add depth to their roster. Herbert might be worth a stash but there is no guarantee he gets traded.

Cincinnati Bengals running back Zack Moss (neck) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game versus the Las Vegas Raiders, according to ESPN's Ben Baby. The 26-year-old has delivered modest production in a split role with Chase Brown so far this year, totaling 242 rushing yards, 187 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. His usage had started to dwindle with Brown coming on strong lately, and now he's going to be sidelined altogether as he battles a neck issue. For the time being, Brown is the only Cincinnati running back worth starting in fantasy football. This week, with Moss sidelined, Brown ranks as a fringe top-24 fantasy option at the position.

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki could again see a large target share in Week 9 when his team lines up against the Las Vegas Raiders at home. The 29-year-old veteran hasn't been the most consistent option this season but has produced two useful spike weeks thus far in his first year as a Bengal, correlating with wide receiver Tee Higgins (quad) missing time. With Higgins listed as doubtful for Sunday, the door is again open for Gesicki to see an increased role in the offense. The Raiders have been decent against opposing passing attacks this season, so it isn't exactly the best matchup. Still, Joe Burrow and the Bengals throw the rock 61.4% of the time (sixth-highest in the league), so the opportunities should be there if Higgins fails to suit up. The former Penn State Nittany Lion is RotoBaller's PPR TE17 in this week's ranks.

The Athletic's Dianna Russini was told that the Cincinnati Bengals are not trading wide receiver Tee Higgins (quadriceps) by Tuesday's NFL trade deadline. The Bengals have only landed two players in a trade in 52 years, but they are looking to make a splash in 2024. Cincy has a strong belief that they can get back to the AFC title game despite sitting at 3-5 entering Week 9 play, and they've been looking around for a cornerback and a defensive lineman that could give defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo a boost. Right now, edge rusher Trey Hendrickson is seen as the team's only defensive threat. In fantasy, the Bengals' defense/special teams unit currently ranks 24th. They also rank all the way down at 29th in the NFL with only 12 sacks, so Hendrickson could certainly use the help on the D-line if the Bengals hope to make the postseason.