Cincinnati Bengals News & Rumors

Bengals RB Chris Evans Suffers Season-Ending Injury

Chris Evans has suffered a season-ending injury. Per Jordan Schultz, the Bengals running back suffered a torn patellar tendon that will force him to miss the 2024 campaign.

Schultz notes that the running back faces a recovery timeline of nine months, and the Bengals expect the player to make a full recovery. Evans suffered the injury during today’s practice, with ESPN’s Courtney Cronin and Ben Baby reporting that the RB was injured while covering for a kickoff. Evans’ leg was placed in an air cast before he was carted off the practice field.

The 2021 sixth-round pick has spent his entire career in Cincinnati. Evans has seen a consistent role on special teams during his Cincinnati tenure, collecting seven tackles and returning 14 kickoffs for a 22.4-yard average. He’s only collected 137 offensive snaps in his 34 career games, but he showed some flashes as a rookie, hauling in 15 of his 17 targets and averaging 4.5 yards on his 17 carries.

2023 marked a low point for the player, as he found himself firmly behind Joe Mixon, Trayveon Williams, and Chase Brown. He was reportedly rebounding this summer, with both Schultz and Baby noting that Evans was having a very strong training camp. The Bengals added Zack Moss this offseason to replace Mixon atop the depth chart, but it sounds like Evans had an opportunity to leap some of his teammates for a key backup role.

Contract Structure An Issue For Bengals, Ja’Marr Chase?

More than two weeks into training camp, Ja’Marr Chase has not practiced. The star Bengals wide receiver’s hold-in also included a missed practice this week, via ESPN.com’s Ben Baby. Two years, however, remain on Chase’s rookie deal. The Bengals have time here, as much as Chase wants to force the issue.

Although the Bengals could have waived fines had Chase staged a true holdout from the beginning of camp, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio notes the fourth-year wideout needed to show up to collect a $3.81MM training camp roster bonus. Rather than a holdout leading to fines scrapped (potentially) due to Chase being on his rookie deal, he would not have been able to recoup the bonus had he held out. Seeing as Chase has yet to cash in on a monster second contract, showing up for camp by Day 3 — when the bonus was due — was seemingly a non-decision.

More significantly, the Justin Jefferson contract has changed an already-booming receiver market. Chase wanted to wait for his college teammate to cash in, as it would stand to improve his terms, and the Vikings gave their All-Pro weapon a record-smashing $88.7MM guaranteed at signing and $110MM guaranteed in total. That has undoubtedly affected the Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb negotiations and has likely bled into the 49ers’ talks with Brandon Aiyuk. Chase is younger than both and may end up the closest to Jefferson when these first-rounders are all signed.

Mike Brown said earlier in camp the Bengals view Chase as their second-best player and one the team would “bend over backwards” to sign, though the owner stopped short of saying an extension was likely this year. The owner/nominal GM alluded to no deal happening this year, but Chase is seemingly trying to force the team’s hand. The former No. 5 overall pick is tied to only a $1.1MM base salary (plus the aforementioned bonus) this year.

The Bengals exercising Chase’s fifth-year option, however, gives them two more years of control. Two other teams — the Eagles and Dolphins — broke with precedent by signing first-round receivers (DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle) to extensions with two years of control remaining, but the Bengals are more traditional in how they operate.

While the Bengals paid Joe Burrow a year early, most teams with franchise-caliber first-round QBs do so. The team waited until just before A.J. Green‘s fifth season to pay him back in 2015. The Bengals also relented on contract structure for Burrow, authorizing guaranteed salary beyond Year 1. The Bengals traditionally only include the signing bonus as a post-Year 1 guarantee, as Orlando Brown Jr.‘s 2023 agreement showed recently. They might need to make an exception for Chase, but ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano brings this matter up as one that will pertain to the negotiations with the three-time Pro Bowler.

The Bengals would rather address this matter in 2025, Graziano adds, and SI.com’s Albert Breer offers that Chase may ultimately be OK with that route as well. Lamb and Aiyuk will likely have second contracts by then, providing a clearer roadmap for the new market. The Bengals may need to find a guarantee compromise with Chase, as Jefferson’s numbers are out of step with the market. Lamb and Aiyuk, however, figure to provide a bridge between Jefferson’s fully guaranteed figure and the next-closest number (Tyreek Hill‘s $54MM).

Chase and Jefferson were communicating during the latter’s Minnesota negotiation, Breer adds, so it stands to reason the Cincinnati target will seek a similarly structured contract. The Bengals are one of the few teams who still proceed this way in terms of guarantees, and Graziano adds this has caused issues with players they have attempted to sign in the past.

A report indicating the team has bristled at the notion it will need to change its guarantee policy for non-QBs sets the stage for a complicated negotiation. While Chase’s rookie deal points to this showdown taking place in 2025, this issue will certainly come up as the team’s top weapon angles for Jefferson-level terms.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/14/24

Wednesday’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas Cowboys

  • Signed: C Cohl Cabral
  • Waived (with injury designation): DE Shaka Toney

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Washington Commanders

Cabral joins the Cowboys after UFL stints in Birmingham and Michigan. He adds more depth to the team’s offensive line after the team lost Chuma Edoga in their first preseason game and saw Earl Bostick helped off the field today. Toney suffered a groin injury, leading to this injury waiver, but could return to the team should he clear waivers.

Powers-Johnson was on some concerning ground with how much time he had missed with a concussion, but the Raiders saw him return to practice today.

The 49ers are adding some significant depth on the defensive line in Williams, who has vast starting experience in the NFL. Cutting Turner could mean that the return of Dre Greenlaw may on a better timeline than expected.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/12/24

Here are Monday’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Activated from active/PUP: DT Devonnsha Maxwell

Cleveland Browns

  • Signed: LB Brandon Bouyer-Randle, S Chase Williams
  • Released: RB John Kelly
  • Waived: DE Marcus Haynes
  • Waived/injured: CB Vincent Gray

Denver Broncos

  • Claimed (from Giants): DB Kaleb Hayes
  • Waived: ILB Alec Mock

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

  • Signed: LB Anthony Hines, TE Neal Johnson
  • Waived: LB Jimmy Ciarlo, CB Myles Jones

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Claimed (from Ravens): OL Tykeem Doss
  • Waived/injured: DB Kalon Barnes

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Hernia surgery forced Tampa to the Ravens’ active/PUP list, but the fourth-round pick is ready to return. Needing a double hernia operation after minicamp (per The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec), Tampa is unlikely to be ready for practice until at least next week. By avoiding a move to the reserve/PUP list, Tampa is no longer at risk of missing Baltimore’s first four games.

A rookie UDFA, Murphy went down with an MCL injury, per NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe. The Dolphins signed Brown, a four-year Giants special-teamer and backup presence, in April. While the Dolphins continue to deal with linebacker injuries, they did bring Jaelan Phillips off the PUP list today.

Fromm spent most of the past two seasons with the Commanders, but the team — as it transitions to a new regime — cut the former Georgia passer in May. He joins a Lions team that still rosters Nate Sudfeld along with Jared Goff and Hendon Hooker.

Bengals RT Amarius Mims In Danger Of Missing Regular Season Time

Amarius Mims could have his NFL debut delayed due to injury. The rookie Bengals right tackle is dealing with a strained pectoral muscle, head coach Zac Taylor said on Monday.

[RELATED: Recapping Bengals’ Offseason]

Taylor noted (via Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer) Mims will not require surgery, but the first-rounder will nevertheless be out for “several weeks.” That means Mims will not take part in the Bengals’ remaining preseason contests, and his availability for Week 1 is now in question. Taylor did not rule out Mims being able to suit up for the season opener, though.

In any event, missed training camp and preseason reps will be critical for Mims. The Georgia alum flashed considerable potential during his college career, but injuries limited his time on the field to a major extent. The 6-7, 330-pounder had impressed to date in training camp, however, and the door was open to him winning the starting RT gig over free agent signing Trent Brown.

The latter was added on a one-year deal featuring incentives this offseason. Brown has made 100 appearances and 93 starts in his career, but his signing was known to be part of a wider strategy on the Bengals’ part of finding a long-term answer at right tackle. As expected, Jonah Williams departed on the open market, creating the need for a stopgap option to be added and a developmental contributor to be drafted.

Mims will no doubt take over a starting role at some point relatively soon, especially if he manages to recover quickly. For now, attention will turn to his rehab process and Browns’ readiness to handle first-team duties if needed at the start of the campaign.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/8/24

Thursday’s minor moves around the league:

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers

  • Reverted to IR: CB Don Callis, WR Rory Starkey

Jacksonville Jaguars

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Signed: G Ryan Johnson
  • Placed on IR: G Silas Dzansi

Dixon exited Jacksonville’s Tuesday practice early, and head coach Doug Pederson confirmed on Thursday he has suffered a torn ACL. The former UDFA started his career with the Jaguars, making three appearances as a rookie in 2022. He resided on the team’s practice squad last season, and he could remain in the organization by reverting to IR in the event he goes unclaimed.

Speaks will take Dixon’s place as he aims to translate an effective UFL campaign into a return to NFL action. The 28-year-old earned Defensive Player of the Year honors while playing for the Michigan Panthers. He collected 9.5 sacks in the spring, and that production has landed him the chance to carve out a roster spot with Jacksonville. Speaks last played with the Chiefs in 2018.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/7/24

Wednesday’s minor moves:

Cincinnati Bengals

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Claimed off waivers (from Commanders): TE Armani Rogers
  • Waived: WR Shaq Davis

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Washington Commanders

The Packers apparently felt it necessary to add another competitor to their position battle at kicker today, signing Hale out of Oklahoma State. The former walk-on from Australia hit on 43 of his 54 field goal attempts as a Cowboy in Stillwater.

Following the retirement of Tarik Cohen, the Jets opted to sign Jackson. The former Colts rusher had some big moments in 2022 while filling in for an injured Jonathan Taylor. He and Vaughn were both participants in a recent workout with the Texans, but Cam Akers walked away from that day with the job.

Lastly, Owens’, son of NFL legend Terrell Owens, time with one of his father’s former teams has come to an end. His pedigree may have assisted in landing an opportunity as an undrafted free agent in San Francisco, but he was unable to stay rostered throughout camp.

Bengals, K Evan McPherson Discussing Extension

A monster extension for Ja’Marr Chase may not be worked out this offseason, but the Bengals could finish another set of negotiations before the start of the 2024 campaign. Kicker Evan McPherson recently confirmed contract talks are ongoing as he prepares for the final year of his rookie contract.

[RELATED: Recapping Bengals’ Offseason]

“We’re just still grinding everything out,” the 25-year-old said (via Jay Morrison of Pro Football Network) “and we’ll see if we can get something done. If it happens right now, great, I’m happy. But if it doesn’t, I’m even more happy. I’m just gonna go out there and perform the same either way.”

The Bengals made it clear a new deal for McPherson was among the team’s top priorities, so it comes as little surprise talks are ongoing. The former fifth-rounder has been consistent for Cincinnati to date, ranging between 82.8% and 84.8% with respect to field goal accuracy. McPherson has connected on 21 attempts of 50 yards or longer, comfortably the most in a kicker’s first three seasons since 1970.

As a result, the Florida alum has set himself up to become one of the league’s highest-paid kickers. The AFC North already features three of the top earners at the position. Justin Tucker (Ravens), Dustin Hopkins (Browns), and Chris Boswell (Steelers) are among the kickers averaging at least $5MM per season on their current deals. McPherson will likely join them in that regard once his extension is in place, although he noted he does not know if an agreement will be finalized before Week 1.

The top of the kicking market was reset earlier this week when Harrison Butker inked a deal which will keep him in Kansas City through 2028. His extension carries an AAV of $6.4MM and includes $17.75MM in guarantees. McPherson will be hard-pressed to match those figures on a new Bengals pact, but he can nevertheless be expected to secure a signficant raise if negotiations breed progress on an extension.

Bengals DE Cameron Sample Suffers Torn Achilles

Cameron Sample will be sidelined for the entire 2024 season. The fourth-year Bengals defensive end has suffered an Achilles tear, head coach Zac Taylor confirmed on Monday.

[RELATED: Recapping Bengals’ Offseason]

The injury occurred during Friday’s practice, and Sample was carted off the field. Today’s news means he will be unavailable for the campaign, something of particular importance for his financial future. Sample, 25 in September, is a pending free agent. This injury will no doubt hurt his market value.

The former fourth-round pick has been a regular on defense during his Cincinnati tenure, making 47 appearances in the regular season and another six in the playoffs. Sample has only made three starts in that time, but his absence will still be felt along the edge for the Bengals. The Tulane alum has collected 58 tackles and five sacks while maintaining a steady snap share in each of the past three years.

The Bengals will move forward with Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard as starters along the edge. Sample’s injury will leave the team relying more heavily on the likes of Joseph Ossai and Myles MurphyThe former has struggled to stay healthy and productive in the NFL so far, but he is confident in a breakout campaign in 2024, the final year of his rookie contract. The latter, meanwhile, will look to build off his three-sack debut Cincinnati campaign from last season.

The remainder of training camp along with the preseason will provide players like 2022 seventh-rounder Jeff Guntersixth-round rookie Cedric Johnson and UDFA Justin Blazek with the opportunity to land a roster spot in Sample’s absence. If Cincinnati deems a late-summer free agent addition to be necessary, the team has over $19MM in cap space to work with. Yannick Ngakoue, Carl Lawson and Charles Harris are among the top veterans still on the market.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/4/24

Today’s minor transactions to close out the weekend:

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Jacksonville Jaguars

Washington Commanders

The Browns were looking forward to stashing Allen’s starting experience as a reserve lineman on the interior. Unfortunately, he suffered a calf injury that ended his season before it even began. Only on a one-year contract anyway, Allen will now get a head start on the free agency he would’ve faced at the end of this season.

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson will not be coaching his son, Josh, this season, it appears. The 26-year-old tight end appeared in three games under his father in 2023.