Cincinnati Bengals

According to Chris Roling of USA Today, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist) looked "great" on "most of his throws" during the team's recent OTAs. The signal-caller, who suffered a season-ending wrist injury in a game against the Ravens in mid-November, also "added muscle to his frame." Without question, injuries have been Burrow's biggest issue since entering the National Football League as the No. 1 pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. However, if he can remain on the field, he could be a top-five fantasy quarterback, just like in 2022, when he threw for 4,475 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Fortunately, it appears Burrow is taking the steps necessary to ensure he stays healthy during the 2024-25 campaign.

The New York Giants waived running back Gary Brightwell (undisclosed) with an injury designation on Thursday, according to NFL.com. The former 2021 sixth-round pick by the G-Men out of Arizona has remained on the roster over the last three seasons, but his time looks to be coming to an end. So far in his career, Brightwell has rushed 41 times for 164 yards and one touchdown and caught 11 passes for 92 yards in 37 games. He played 100 snaps on special teams last year. With Brightwell out of the building, Devin Singletary, Eric Gray, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. now have less competition for touches.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase are both not present for voluntary organized team activities on Tuesday as they seek new deals this offseason. Higgins has yet to sign his franchise tender for this year, so until he does, he will not be allowed to participate in offseason workouts with the team. The 25-year-old requested a trade from the Bengals when the team put the franchise tag on him just before the start of free agency in March, but he remains in Cincinnati for now as he angles for a new long-term deal. It's an offseason storyline to follow for fantasy managers after Higgins had an extremely disappointing 2023 campaign. It didn't help that quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury, but Higgins was also injured himself and finished with a career-low 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase wasn't present for voluntary organized team activities on Tuesday. Chase is heading into the fourth year of his rookie deal after the team picked up his fifth-year option for the 2025 season back in April. The 24-year-old is slated to make $5 million in 2024 and remains one of the best all-around receivers in the game. His absence during voluntary offseason workouts shouldn't raise too many eyebrows, although it would be nice to see him working with quarterback Joe Burrow after Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury in 2023. Chase is unlikely to stage a long holdout into mandatory minicamp next month and training camp this summer, and he and the Bengals should eventually work out something long term that should make him one of, if not the highest, paid receiver in the NFL.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist) hasn't faced any limits regarding his activity level during voluntary OTAs. "We designed the whole thing to stay within the constraints of where the medical people think he should be and where he wants to be right now," said offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher. "Nobody is sitting there with a special pitch counter. But we've been smart how we put it together." It's undoubtedly a positive update on the signal-caller, who suffered a season-ending torn ligament in his right wrist during a meeting with the Ravens in mid-November, and it appears he's well on his way to being ready for Week 1. While Burrow has all the tools needed to be a top fantasy quarterback, his health will be on the mind of all fantasy managers. With that said, the Bengals have a favorable schedule in 2024-25, meaning the 27-year-old could thrive as long as he stays on the field.