Team news: Cincinnati Bengals | Page 4

A report this weekend said that the Colts would open running back Jonathan Taylor’s window to return from the physically unable to perform list this week and head coach Shane Steichen confirmed it on Monday.

Related players: Zack Moss

Steichen said that the process will begin on Wednesday and that the plan is for Taylor to practice with the team for the first time this year. Taylor also requested a trade this offseason because the team has not shown interest in giving him the long-term contract he wants, but Steichen said Taylor is excited about getting back to work with the team. Steichen also said that Taylor could play in Week 5 against the Titans and that how Taylor looks on the practice field will determine whether that happens, the story went on to say. What a strange situation this has turned into. Owners should monitor his progress this week. One would assume if Taylor is ready to go he could at least be a flex option in lineups, but there's a lot of information we'll need between now and then. The Colts host the Titans in an early game in Week 5.

Bengals WR Tee Higgins has a fractured rib.

Related players: Tyler Boyd, Trenton Irwin, Andrei Iosivas, Charlie Jones

Rapoport didn't have a lot more details about the injury, nor did he have a specific timeline. But, he did point out the Bengals are at the Cardinals and home against the Seahawks the next two weeks before a Week 7 bye. It's possible Higgins isn't back until after the team's bye, which is a Week 8 game at the 49ers. Boyd should see a bigger role with any time Higgins has to miss.

Bengals WR Tee Higgins suffered a rib fracture during Sunday's loss to the Titans.

Higgins will almost certainly miss at least a little bit of time as a result. The injury happened just before halftime. He finished with 19 yards on two catches in what was a nightmare day for the Bengals in a 27-3 loss to drop last year's AFC runners-up to 1-3. If Higgins does miss time, rookie Andrei Iosivas or Trenton Irwin could step up in his place outside of Ja'Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd.

Buccaneers WR Mike Evans and Bengals WR Tee Higgins have both left their games Sunday with hamstring and rib injuries, respectively.

Evans had 40 yards on three catches while Higgins finished with 19 yards on two catches. Evans tried to return for the second half and was on the bike trying to get back into the game but wound up returning to the locker room. For Higgins, a tough start to the season continues. He had 10 catches for 110 yards coming into today's game but 8 catches and 89 yards came in Week 2 against the Ravens.

From all indications, Indianapolis Colts All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor appears ready to return to the playing field -- whether that happens in Indianapolis or elsewhere. “He looks great. And I can’t wait to actually physically get a chance to work with him, see him move around, see that speed and feel that speed,” Colts running backs coach DeAndre Smith said.

Related Players: Zack Moss

Even with Taylor eligible to return, that doesn't necessarily mean the team has to get him on the field, whether they want to trade him or they want to actually activate him from PUP. The preseason designation felt like a resolution, but there are still multiple paths that keep Taylor off the field for longer than one more game.

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is expected to start against the Rams on Monday Night Football despite being less than 100 percent, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports.

Burrow strained his right calf on the second day of training camp and didn’t return from the injury until after the preseason. He has not played like himself thus far with 304 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception and aggravated his injury late in the Week 2 loss to the Ravens. He was a limited participant in Friday’s and Saturday’s practices, the story said.

Just spoke to Bengals HC Zac Taylor and asked about the status of QB Joe Burrow tonight. He said “we aren’t ready to reveal a decision just yet and will wait a couple more hours before we make a call.”

Related players: Jake Browning, AJ McCarron

It looks like the team is taking this right up until the final moments. We reported earlier today Burrow was trending in the right direction but that's still all we have to go on with about three hours until game time. If Burrow doesn't go, Browning would get the start against the Rams.

QB Joe Burrow is going through a workout this morning. I'm told there's optimism he will play and his status for tonight is trending in the right direction, per sources.

Related players: Jake Browning, AJ McCarron

Russini pointed out, however, that Burrow's status is still uncertain for MNF as of now, so owners who need him will want monitor his status until the inactives are announced. The Bengals sit at 0-2 and this is as close to a must-win as they want to get this early in the season. Russini added Burrow is campaigning with the coaching staff and trainers to play. If Burrow can't go, Browning would get the start. If needed, Burrow owners may also be able to grab Matthew Stafford or Baker Mayfield against the Eagles in the other Monday night game if they don't trust Browning.

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is questionable for Monday against the Rams with a calf injury.

The Bengals added some insurance Saturday just in case by signing AJ McCarron to their practice squad. Burrow re-aggravated his calf injury from training camp in the Week 2 loss to the Ravens. Burrow missed about a month before returning in time for the season opener. If Burrow can’t go, the Bengals would turn to Jake Browning under center. Certainly a far cry from a fantasy perspective from Burrow, especially against an improved and healthy Rams defense.

The Bengals are signing QB Reid Sinnett to the practice squad. If Joe Burrow can't play Monday night against the Rams, it'd be Sinnett backing up Jake Browning.

Not a good look for Burrow's availability, but it's worth mentioning that the team just lost QB Will Grier off their practice squad (Patriots) yesterday, so this may just be a coincidence.