News Bengals Team Notes

[Cincinnati Bengals]

5 keys to Bengals beating the Dolphins

Will the Cincinnati Bengals get back in the win column with a trip to Florida?

Offensive Connections​

The offense was out of sync last week. Burrow was missing protection calls, he wasn’t spinning the ball how he likes it, and receivers were dropping catchable balls.

They cannot afford to have games like that, particularly this deep into the season. Burrow came out of the gates hot with that win over the Ravens the first time around, but since then, the offense has been in September mode.

This team is built around its passing game. They cannot drop the ball (literally and figuratively) and expect to win.

Run It Back​

Until a few weeks ago, the Bengals’ running game was starting to look pretty good, and offensive line coach Scott Peters was starting to look very good. Now, they are back to producing modest returns in the run game and lacking in both consistency and explosive runs.

Chase Brown is a playmaker. They have got to get the scheme right in front of him and utilize his talents in order to win this week.

Turnovers​

Turnovers will make or break this team. The defense isn’t overflowing with talent, but when they create turnovers and give the offense more opportunities, they can win football games.

Conversely, turnovers have cost this team greatly over the past two weeks. They cannot throw multiple interceptions, particularly pick-sixes, and expect to win games.

Defense Rises​

No one wants to hear it, but this defense is getting better.

Myles Murphy is looking very good. Kris Jenkins has shown improvement, too. Demetrius Knight just had the best game of his career.

The defense is playing better and maxing out the talent that they have.

They aren’t world-beaters, but they need to continue this upward trend.

Complementary Football​

The defense isn’t going to be perfect, but neither is the offense. When one struggles, the other needs to pick them up.

The defense can’t let an offensive turnover turn into a score.

The offense must respond when the defense gives up points.

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinnati-bengals-analysis/183025/5-keys-beating-dolphins

 

[Cincinnati Bengals]

Bengals vs. Dolphins Thursday Injury Report: Defensive line banged up

The Cincinnati Bengals take on the Miami Dolphins on Sunday in a game featuring two teams eliminated from playoff contention. Miami will be starting a rookie quarterback and both teams seem to have a fairly lengthy injury report.

For the Bengals, defensive tackles B.J. Hill and Kris Jenkins Jr. missed their second consecutive practices on the week. The interior of the Bengals’ defensive line could be extremely thin if they can’t play Sunday. We could see some defensive lineman called up from the practice squad.

Furthering the concerns on the defensive line, Joseph Ossai (ankle) also missed practice. The Bengals are already down Trey Hendrickson, so Ossai missing the game is an extra hit to the pass rush rotation.

Wideout Tee Higgins (concussion) was limited again and is still actively in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Given the severity of his first concussion and him feeling symptoms over two weeks later, the Bengals wouldn’t catch much flack for sitting him another week.

Wide receiver and return man Charlie Jones (ankle) was also out.

Several players showed on the injury report, meaning they got treatment for an injury, but practiced in full.

For Miami, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (calf) missed his second-straight practice. Arguably Miami’s best defender, his absence could be an advantage for the Bengals’ pass-heavy offense.

Linebacker Jordyn Brooks (foot/knee) was also out for the second straight day, as was cornerback Isaiah Johnson (knee).

Full Bengals vs. Dolphins Injury Report:​

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinn...ursday-injury-report-defensive-line-banged-up

 

[Cincinnati Bengals]

3 key players for Bengals vs. Dolphins

The 4-10 Cincinnati Bengals will travel to Miami to face the 6-8 Miami Dolphins. There really isn’t anything on the line in this game for either team. The Dolphins have decided to go ahead and bench Tua Tagovailoa, opting to start rookie Quinn Ewers in his place this week. The Cincinnati Bengals have said they plan to start Joe Burrow for the rest of the season.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at three key players for the matchup this week.

Joe Burrow​

I normally wouldn’t even put Joe Burrow as a key player; that is typically assumed. With that said, his recent comments and performance have been a bit uncharacteristic. The Bengals are coming off a shutout loss to Baltimore, losing 24-0. Burrow had two interceptions and was sacked three times during the game.

Burrow also threw two interceptions in the previous game versus Buffalo. If the Bengals are going to keep playing Burrow down the stretch, I am at least hoping to see some fun football out of this offense. The performance versus Baltimore was unacceptable. I expect Burrow and the rest of that offense to bounce back this week versus the Dolphins.

RAVENS PICK OFF JOE BURROW AND TAKE IT TO THE HOUSE ON THE HEADS UP HANDOFF BY KYLE VAN NOY

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/Ye18jCeyBV

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) December 14, 2025

Myles Murphy​

Murphy is coming off a two-sack performance against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. Murphy has looked like a building block for this defense going forward, the past couple of months. Murphy will need to continue applying pressure to opposing quarterbacks, but will also have to be a big factor against De’Von Achane and the Miami rushing attack this week.

Myles Murphy cut up from yesterday pic.twitter.com/cCycz2kZpZ

— mike (@bengals_sans) December 15, 2025

Demetrius Knight Jr.​

Knight recorded the first two sacks of his career against the Ravens. I will be watching this week to see if he can build on that success. The Bengals desperately need to find out who they feel can continue moving forward with these last few games of the season. Hopefully, Knight can show that he has what it takes to at least be one starting-caliber linebacker for this team heading into next season.

Despite being one of the league's worst Defenses at getting to the QB, the Bengals continue to torment Lamar Jackson and the Ravens in 2025. Demetrius Knight registered another Sack on a PA Boot concept to minimize Baltimore's second drive.#Ravens #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/GRShLbYhdk

— All 22 Films (@All_22_NFL_Cuts) December 14, 2025

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinnati-bengals-analysis/182975/3-key-players-dolphins-week-16

 

[Cincinnati Bengals]

Bengals vs. Dolphins Friday Injury Report: Tee Higgins questionable; Shemar Stewart good to go

The Cincinnati Bengals are getting some help on the defensive line this week, but will still be missing a couple of key pieces, per the teams’ injury report.

Rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart will be back in the lineup Sunday after missing time with what has just been revealed to be a torn PCL. The rookie missed time with an ankle injury earlier in the season, but is now back in the fold and able to prove himself in the final three games.

Wide receiver Tee Higgins (concussion) practiced on Friday, but remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol, per Head Coach Zac Taylor. It seems that Higgins intends to play, but it would all be dependent on clearing concussion protocol. He is listed as questionable.

Per Taylor, Defensive tackle B.J. Hill (ankle) will attempt to play and is listed as questionable, while Kris Jenkins Jr. (ankle) will head to injured reserve, ending his season.

Pass rusher Joseph Ossai (ankle) will be out, as will Noah Fant (ankle), Charlie Jones (ankle) as ankle injuries seem to ravage the Bengals’ roster.

For Miami, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (calf ) is out, sidelining one of their best defensive players.

After a lengthy injury report on both sides, Miami has Fitzpatrick out, five other players questionable and the rest of the players have no game designation.

Full Bengals vs. Dolphins Injury Report:​

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinn...iggins-questionable-shemar-stewart-good-to-go

 

[Cincinnati Bengals]

Bengals placing Kris Jenkins Jr. on injured reserve

The Cincinnati Bengals have called off the season for second-year defensive tackle Kris Jenkins Jr.

On Friday, head coach Zac Taylor announced the Bengals were placing Jenkins on injured reserve with an ankle injury that caused him to leave Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Since players have to spend at least four weeks on injured reserve before they can possibly return to the team, it means he will miss the remaining three games.

It wasn’t exactly a great season for the young player. He was a pretty good run defender, but forgettable as a pass rusher. Missing these last few games’ worth of snaps is a disappointing end for his development.

The defense didn’t look any better this season, and the coaching staff and front office should be examining each player on an individual level to see where competition needs added. It is hard to say the team shouldn’t bring in competition at the defensive tackle spot right now.

With Jenkins out, that means McKinnley Jackson is in for a bigger role over the next three games after asking for a trade earlier this season due to a lack of playing time.

Zac Taylor says Shemar Stewart will be available Sunday. Kris Jenkins will be put on IR today. "Look forward to seeing him continue to grow in his third year (in 2026)."

— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) December 19, 2025

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinnati-bengals-news/183092/kris-jenkins-jr-injured-reserve