Cincinnati Bengals

Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert rushed four times for 35 yards in the team's 21-17 shortened win over the Texans. Herbert averaged 8.8 yards per carry and broke a run as long as 19 yards in his preseason debut. Although he trailed Roschon Johnson in overall carries in this game, Herbert was the most effective rusher on a team that used three different running backs. Behind new addition D'Andre Swift, Herbert and Johnson will likely split the backup duties based on situation. Herbert's next chance to bolster his case comes on August 10th at Buffalo.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton (ankle) was forced to leave practice early on Thursday. Luckily, Burton doesn't appear to have suffered a serious injury. The organization is calling it only an ankle tweak. The third-round rookie was pulled out of practice as a precaution and isn't expected to miss much time. Burton has been seeing increased reps in practice with Ja'Marr Chase currently out. The assumption is that Burton is going to fill the vacant spot left by Tyler Boyd, which should mean steady targets.

The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but 2023 sixth-round pick Andrei Iosivas could have a lead on him in the battle for the WR3 job following Tyler Boyd's departure. "For all the hype of Burton and his potential to make an impact filling the role vacated by Boyd, there's just no way to avoid the Andrei Iosivas hype," Paul Dehner Jr. of the Athletic said. " He's been the offensive star of camp, a trend that continued after his initial eye-popping debut playing in the slot for the first time in his life Wednesday." Dehner Jr. noted that Bengals wide receiver coach Troy Walters called Iosivas the team's third-best wide receiver last week. This position battle will be important to monitor in fantasy football, especially since Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins have failed to play a full 17-game schedule over the last two years. Iosivas caught 15 passes for 116 yards and four touchdowns in his rookie campaign, but his path to playing time is a lot more clear heading into Year 2. He should be on the fantasy football radar as a late-round dart throw in best ball setups and deep fantasy leagues.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is still not practicing. He has not practiced to start training camp, and the Bengals have not publicly justified his lack of participation. The Bengals star wideout is conducting his own "hold-in." Chase is entering the fourth year of his rookie deal, and the Bengals have already picked up his fifth-year option. Generally, players in his position will receive an extension after their fourth season. For now, there does not appear to be any animosity between Chase and the Bengals, but this situation will be essential to monitor. Chase caught a career-high 100 passes for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games in 2023. The mid-season wrist injury to quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist) derailed Chase's fantasy season. He will look to bounce back in 2024, and you should feel comfortable with him as your WR1.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has missed his fourth consecutive practice and has yet to participate in 2024 training camp. Instead of a traditional "hold out," Chase is engaging in a "hold in," as he needed to report to camp on time to complete an entire season under his rookie contract. Although he is present at camp, he is not participating in drills while negotiating a new deal following this offseason's surge in receiver salaries, highlighted by Justin Jefferson's record-setting $35 million per year contract. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has stated that the situation aligns with their plan and that he and Chase are on the same page. Chase will earn under $5 million this season and approximately $21 million on his fifth-year option next year. As long as Chase stays in shape, maintains his conditioning, and has sufficient time to prepare for the regular season, his current absence from practice should not significantly impact his performance or the team. Despite the hold-in, Chase remains a surefire first-round pick and is currently going around the sixth pick in recent NFFC drafts.