The Cincinnati Bengals have just one game standing between them and a much-needed bye week.
After all, the final injury report before the team plays the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday features major names Tee Higgins and Chidobe Awuzie.
And while Joe Burrow isn’t listed and looked much healthier one week ago during a win, it’s not a secret that the lack of his name on the injury sheet doesn’t mean he still isn’t working his way back from that calf issue.
With so little time left before kickoff, here’s a look at the must-know Bengals news, notes and quotes for October 14.
The Samaje Perine trade idea -- Bengals Wire
We’d like to see the Bengals make a trade with Denver to get running back Samaje Perine back. They should have never lost him in free agency but he wanted a shot at more playing time. He’s not getting it — but probably would in Cincinnati because nobody behind Joe Mixon has stepped up.
Tee Higgins and the final injury report -- Bengals Wire
The final injury report for Seahawks vs. Bengals provided a positive update on Tee Higgins. But even that doesn’t mean he’s actually going to play on Sunday.
Seahawks vs. Bengals ref info -- Bengals Wire
The Bengals draw a name they don’t see often as referee for the game against the Seahawks. Even so, the last time they had this ref assignment, Burrow threw four touchdowns…
Joe Burrow is back, says expert -- Bengals Wire
A fun take from an expert who watched the film and even talked to at least one person in the Bengals organization to confirm that Burrow is, in fact, almost all the way back.
DJ Turner praises playing against Bengals WR -- Bengals Wire
This week, somebody asked Bengals rookie corner DJ Turner how he would be ready to play Seahawks wideout DK Metcalf. His response was a politer version of have you see who I practice again daily?
Re-drafting 2020 draft -- B/R
Does Joe Burrow still go first overall to the Bengals in a re-draft? Of course…right?
Fantasy football WR ranks -- PFF
Here’s a fun one — is Ja’Marr Chase the consensus No. 1 fantasy football wideout after that franchise-record 15 catches for 192 yards and three touchdowns last week?
Coaches liking the offensive line -- Bengals.com
Offensive coordinator Brian Callahan on one of the nicest things about this new look offensive line: “And even in the (2022) playoffs we had guys that weren’t used to playing. It just feels different. It’s just everything about it feels much more solid and nailed down upfront for us as a coach. That’s how I feel.”
Tackling woes a focus -- Bengals.com
Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo is a straight-shooter and is doing it again this week while talking about the black eye for his unit that is the tackling issue: “I think it’s just being more on our details of things. I mean, all of a sudden it’s one or two things. So I just think it’s more consistency across the board and we’re working towards it. We’ve just got to keep doing what we’re doing and keep practicing tackling because that’s again showed up. But that’s all we can do is keep working at it.”