Cincinnati Bengals

Wide receiver John Ross became the latest Cincinnati Bengals player to publicly demand a trade Friday.

Days after defensive end Carlos Dunlap forced his way out of town, Ross criticized the perception of himself within the organization and made clear his frustration with the Bengals:

It’s not a secret that i have requested a trade. Trade me if this how y’all feel. I’m healthy and eager to play. I know I can be productive. It’s hard to love something when your not actually participating in it. Believe me, its not football that i don’t like. https://t.co/IlUg270jbI

— j.Ross (@WatchJRoss) October 30, 2020

Ross began training camp on the reserve/COVID-19 list but was activated on August 23. He's suited up for three games this season but hasn't been targeted since Week 2. 

According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, Ross' agent reached out to the team about a potential trade on October 20, noting the wideout wants a fresh start elsewhere if the team wasn't going to consistently use him. 

NFL Insider Adam Caplan reported the team would rather cut ties with Ross in March when his contract expires than move him before the November 3 trade deadline. 

So they must think they can get more in a Comp pick than they can in a trade. https://t.co/uWV1re3GOh

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) October 30, 2020

The No. 9 overall pick out of Washington in 2017, Ross dealt with a knee injury during his rookie season that limited him to just 17 snaps in three games, per Pro Football Reference. Over the following two seasons, Ross tallied 716 total yards on 49 catches with 10 touchdowns in 21 contests. 

Yet as the Bengals continue to rebuild with rookie quarterback Joe Burrow, Ross has found little room to showcase his hands and speed this season. 

Cincinnati declined the fifth-year option on Ross' rookie contract before the 2020 season began. He's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year.

It appears one way or the other, Ross will get his wish to move on from the Bengals. It just won't happen before the Nov. 3 deadline. 

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon will miss Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans.

The Bengals confirmed Friday that Mixon's foot injury will leave him unavailable for the second straight week. He had missed practice each of the last three days.

The 24-year-old was on pace for his third straight 1,000-yard rushing season before the injury paused his campaign in mid-October. He has emerged as a crucial element of the Bengals offense since being selected in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft.

Mixon enjoyed an extended run of durability before the injury. He hadn't missed time since early in the 2018 season when he was sidelined by knee surgery.

Giovani Bernard is likely to receive the lion's share of the backfield touches with the California native out of the lineup. Samaje Perine and Trayveon Williams will provide depth.

Mixon is an integral part of the Bengals' offensive attack who can take a lot of pressure off rookie quarterback Joe Burrow. The unit's efficiency is likely to drop whenever he's not in the lineup, even with a solid backup in Bernard.

It doesn't appear the Cincinnati Bengals are ready to make any more changes after the team sent disgruntled defensive end Carlos Dunlap to the Seattle Seahawks for center B.J. Finney and a 2021 seventh-round pick. 

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported Thursday teams have inquired about other Bengals players ahead of the November 3 trade deadline, including defensive tackle Geno Atkins.

"In the wake of the Dunlap trade, my understanding is that teams have called the Bengals about veteran DT Geno Atkins and have been told he isn’t available," Breer wrote.

It makes sense for teams to reach out about Atkins at this point. 

The Bengals are early in their rebuild with quarterback Joe Burrow and don't appear ready to contend quite yet. Cincinnati (1-5-1) is last in the AFC North and looking at another top pick in this year's draft. Moving Atkins, 32, would allow the club to potentially get some more picks in return.

With the Georgia product under contract until 2023, the Bengals would be justified in asking for a large package to move him. 

Atkins remains one of the most durable defenders in the league entering 2020 but has struggled with injuries this season. He had previously played all 16 games each year with the exception of a nine-game 2013. He missed the first four games of the season with various ailments this year before making his debut in Week 5. 

Cincinnati has eased him back with just 49 total snaps played in three games, per Pro Football Reference. He's yet to record any tackles. 

The Bengals can prioritize his health over his production this year as the club looks to develop younger players. Should the team become ready to contend sooner than expected, it can hopefully have Atkins back at full strength and ready to contribute. 

It doesn't appear Cincinnati is willing to look at alternatives to that plan just yet.

The Cincinnati Bengals traded disgruntled defensive end Carlos Dunlap to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a seventh-round pick and offensive lineman B.J. Finney on Wednesday. 

"Carlos had many fine seasons here and showed rare physical talent that took him to multiple Pro Bowls," Bengals president Mike Brown said in a statement. "I will always remember the role he played as a key part of exceptional defenses that we rode to the playoffs year after year. There are a lot of fond memories I have of Carlos, and I wish him well."

Dunlap spent his first 10-plus seasons with the Bengals but has had a falling out with the team in 2020. He was seen having a blowup argument with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo on the sidelines during Sunday's loss to the Cleveland Browns and posted on social media about selling his house. 

"We just handle that internally," coach Zac Taylor told reporters Sunday. "We got a group of guys in the locker room who want so badly to do things the right way and get this to where we want to be."

Finney signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Seahawks before season but has not played an offensive snap. His presence will hopefully boost a Cincinnati offensive line that ranks among the NFL's worst. 

The Seahawks have recorded only nine sacks this season, which is tied with the New England Patriots for 26th in the NFL. They have struggled to fill the shoes of Jadeveon Clowney, who left Seattle to sign a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans.

Dunlap has recorded at least 7.5 sacks each of the previous seven seasons but was struggling to produce in one of the NFL's worst defenses. Pro Football Focus has given Dunlap a dismal 53.9 grade for the season, and he'd been largely frozen out of the defensive line rotation.

The Seahawks are hoping a change of scenery will help turn around Dunlap's season and demeanor, giving them a buy-low boost at a need position. 

The Cincinnati Bengals reportedly told defensive end Carlos Dunlap to stay home Wednesday while they continue to explore trade options.

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported the news.

Bengals fall to 1-5-1 after their loss to Cleveland

Dunlap tweeted this today after the L 🧐 pic.twitter.com/KnfQ7APoOy

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) October 25, 2020

ESPN's Dianna Russini provided further details ahead of the trade deadline next Tuesday:

Bengals told Carlos Dunlap not to come to practice today. (@RapSheet first) Source tells me it’s been “a little crazy there” between the pass rusher and the coaching staff. The team is discussing moving him before the trade deadline. Told we will all know more later #Bengals

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) October 28, 2020

Dunlap has been one of the league's most consistently effective edge-rushers since the Bengals selected him in the second round of the 2010 draft.

The 31-year-old University of Florida product ranks 10th among active players with 82.5 career sacks, per The Football Database. He's also recorded at least 7.5 sacks in seven straight seasons, including a career-high 13.5 quarterback takedowns in 2015.

He's off to a slow start this season, however, with one sack through seven appearances.

"The tape, I'm told, shows a guy who isn't just playing poorly, but is playing like he doesn't care. Which, ultimately, won't help the Bengals trade him," Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated wrote Monday.

Dunlap is signed through 2021 as part of a three-year, $40.65 million contract that includes a $13.5 million salary-cap hit next season, per Spotrac. That could also complicate trade talks.

He voiced his frustration on social media last week, writing "I don't got time for this" in a later-deleted Instagram post (via SI's James Rapien) after being listed third on the depth chart.

Dunlap, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, would be a major addition for a team seeking pass-rushing help if he can return to form outside Cincinnati.

The Bengals will likely struggle to get anything substantial in return given his contract, the drop in production and the drama that's surrounded him in recent weeks, though.

If you're looking for a new home in southwestern Ohio, Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap might be the man to see.

Following the Bengals' 37-34 loss to the Cleveland Browns, Dunlap described himself as "willing to sell" his property in the Cincinnati area:

https://twitter.com/Carlos_Dunlap/status/1320465550968053761

Teammate Joe Mixon provided some levity to the situation:

Shii I’ll take it if you just gone give it🤷🏽‍♂️ https://t.co/1ghsllTHsI

— ⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️ (@Joe_MainMixon) October 25, 2020

Dunlap's tweet comes amid rumors about his future on the Bengals. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday the team has "had active trade talks" centered around the 31-year-old pass-rusher.

On Saturday, Dunlap shared a photo of what appeared to be Cincinnati's edge rotations. Toward the end of Sunday's game, he seemed to have a heated exchange with defensive line coach Nick Eason or another member of the team.

Whether the Bengals are able to find a suitable trade or simply release him outright, Dunlap's days with the Bengals might be drawing to an end.

The Cincinnati Bengals are holding some trade talks ahead of the Nov. 3 deadline, but not all of their veteran players are expected to move despite the 1-4-1 start to the season.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, neither receiver A.J. Green nor defensive tackle Geno Atkins is likely to be traded in 2020.

However, defensive end Carlos Dunlap could be dealt after he has "publicly and privately been frustrated with his role."

Dunlap has come off the bench in each of the past two games after starting every game he has played since 2014. Per Rapoport, he could be inactive for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns.

Dunlap appeared in over 50 percent of snaps in each of the first four games but was held under the halfway point in Weeks 5 and 6, per Pro Football Reference. He now has just one sack through six games, with nine of his 18 tackles coming in one game.

The 31-year-old could remain a top target on the open market considering his production in past seasons. He has been one of the most consistent pass-rushers in the NFL during his career, tallying at least 7.5 sacks in each of the last seven years. He had nine sacks in 14 games in 2019.

With the Bengals utilizing younger players like Carl Lawson and Amani Bledsoe at defensive end this season, a trade appears to be the best move for all parties.

Green would also seemingly make sense as a trade possibility thanks to the emergence of Tee Higgins at receiver, but he's reportedly not pushing for a move after 10 years in Cincinnati. An $18.1 million cap hit for 2020 could also prevent a trade after the team used the franchise tag on him last offseason.

Atkins is also difficult to trade as he battles a shoulder injury that has limited him to just two games this season.

Cincinnati Bengals' Carlos Dunlap continued to take issue with his role on the team in an Instagram post Saturday.

Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic tweeted a screenshot of Dunlap's post:

Carlos Dunlap posting the #Bengals edge rotations and airing his frustrations on social (again) another layer of ridiculousness in his ugly situation.

Feels like a good time to drop this column back in here: https://t.co/1d2DOiYDTv pic.twitter.com/MyKfmijp7y

— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) October 24, 2020

The Bengals' depth chart shows Dunlap as the No. 3 defensive end on both sides. Dunlap wrote that head coach Zac Taylor and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo have an "experiment," but he added: "I don't got time for this."

Dunlap first expressed frustration with his role two weeks ago entering the Bengals' game against the Baltimore Ravens.

According to ESPN's Ben Baby, Dunlap suggested he was unhappy being used primarily as a third-down pass-rusher: "It just seems like this is what the coaches want. I don't know what their thought is. But evidently, the focus is on third down, so we have to get them to third down with the young boys and then do what I'm asked to do."

Dunlap was also unhappy with the fact that he found out about his role when the depth chart was posted rather than being informed by the coaches beforehand: "That's crazy, right?. I mean, you would think common decency would be something like that. I mean, it's not like I'm injured or anything. I'm not nursing anything. I've been blessed. Eleven years in the game. But I understand business, and evidently, this is the business they want to do."

The 31-year-old Dunlap is in the midst of his 11th NFL season, all of which have been spent with the Bengals.

He started every game from 2014-18 before missing two games last season. So far this season, Dunlap has appeared in six games and made four starts. He has registered 18 tackles and one sack during the 2020 campaign.

Dunlap was named to the Pro Bowl in both 2015 and 2016 when he finished with 13.5 sacks and eight sacks, respectively.

Last season, Dunlap recorded the third-highest sack total of his career with nine, which makes his fall from grace somewhat puzzling.

With 82.5 career sacks, Dunlap ranks first on the Bengals' all-time list, and it is clear that he feels he isn't being treated with the level of respect he has earned over the course of 11 seasons in Cincinnati.  

Fantasy football managers may be scrambling after Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon was ruled out of Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns with a foot injury, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Bengals player who stands to benefit the most from Mixon's absence is backup running back Giovani Bernard.

Here is a rundown of what you should expect from Bernard and fellow Bengals running back Trayveon Williams from a fantasy perspective while Mixon is on the shelf.

         

Giovani Bernard

When Mixon missed two games in 2018 with a knee injury, Bernard put up impressive numbers.

He got the start in Weeks 3 and 4 of the 2018 campaign, registering 130 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, along with nine receptions for 52 yards.

Bernard was a high-level RB2 with Mixon out of the picture, and he has a lofty ceiling in point-per-reception leagues given his pass-catching ability.

Overall, he has registered 44 rushing yards and 115 receiving yards this season.

Bernard appeared in all 16 games last season, but he wasn't used much with Mixon healthy and totaled just 170 rushing yards, as well as 30 receptions for 234 yards. He also finished without a touchdown for the first time in his career.

Mixon has thrived as a bell-cow back, but Bernard is likely to get most of the touches out of the Cincinnati backfield for the time being.

Given the success Bernard has enjoyed when given the opportunity to take on a greater role during his career, he should be added in all formats.

          

Trayveon Williams

Cincinnati selected Williams in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL draft out of Texas A&M after he racked up 1,760 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground as a junior in 2018.

After not putting up any stats as a rookie last season, Williams is yet to record a touch this season either.

Williams showed during his college career that he can take on a heavy workload, but with just 66 catches over three collegiate seasons, he is not a top-end receiving back, which is why Bernard still holds the edge over him with Mixon out.

Also, most players on the Cincinnati offense are more familiar with Bernard in the backfield, which gives him a leg up.

The Bengals' running back situation is worth monitoring while Mixon is out. Williams could be a solid pickup if there is close to a 50-50 split in touches, but Bernard is the guy to roster as things stand.

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon will not play in Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Bengals listed Mixon as a non-participant in practice both Wednesday and Thursday because of a foot injury he suffered last week against the Indianapolis Colts.

Mixon, 24, has rushed for 428 yards and three touchdowns on 119 carries while catching 21 passes for 138 yards and one touchdown in 2020.

The ex-Oklahoma Sooner gained 2,888 yards from scrimmage and scored 17 touchdowns over his past two full seasons. The fourth-year pro rushed for 4.5 yards per carry during that span and added 78 receptions, which led to 583 receiving yards and four scores.

Without Mixon, the Bengals should turn toward Giovani Bernard to handle the bulk of the running back work.

Bernard, 28, is in the midst of his eighth NFL season. The lifelong Bengal has emerged as a dependable pass-catching option out of the backfield, snagging 42 receptions for 359 yards per season on average during his NFL career. He's also rushed for a season average of 4.1 yards per carry.

Bernard was more prominently featured in the Bengals' offense from 2013-2015, when he amassed an average of 213 touches per season. But he's been utilized less frequently in recent years with the team turning to Mixon as its bell-cow back.

So far this season as Mixon's primary backup, Bernard has carried 12 times for 44 yards and one touchdown and made 16 receptions for 115 yards.

Losing Mixon might be a tough blow for the rebuilding Bengals, but the passing attack led by quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receivers Tyler Boyd, Tee Higgins and A.J. Green should carry more responsibility against the AFC North rival Browns this week.