Joe Mixon's role was slightly reduced in his return from a two-game absence.

Related players: Samaje Perine

Mixon registered a season-low snap share (58%) outside of Week 11 when he suffered a concussion. McFarland went on to tweet, "it could be nothing, but there is a chance Perine earned a few extra opportunities." The Bengals could have just been easing Mixon back into form, but the more likely reason seems to be Perine was pretty good when he took over for Mixon as the lead back and the Bengals want to get him more involved.

Bengals RB Joe Mixon (concussion) and WR Tee Higgins (hamstring) are off the injury report and good to go Sunday against the Browns. TE Hayden Hurst (calf) is out.

Related Players: Samaje Perine

The RB1 Samaje Perine weeks are over for now, but Cincinnati is faced with a fantastic matchup against Cleveland this week. Both he and Mixon are fantasy viable in Week 14.

Bengals RB Joe Mixon (concussion) and WR Tee Higgins (hamstring) are off the injury report and good to go Sunday against the Browns. TE Hayden Hurst (calf) is out.

Related Players: Ja'Marr Chase, Tyler Boyd

Higgins can safely be fired up as a WR2 option while Ja'Marr Chase remains a fantasy WR1 regardless of the health of his teammates. Tyler Boyd can be plugged in as a Flex option, though his floor is closer to a fantasy WR4.

Joe Mixon went full today, which means he's out of concussion protocol.

Related players: Samaje Perine

Beat reporter Paul Dehner Jr. tweeted that while HC Zac Taylor said many great things about what Perine has done, especially when Mixon was out, he also added "Mixon is our starting running back, he had five touchdowns the last time he played.” Owners should be able to conclude that Mixon will have his normal workload for Week 14, but it's easy to imagine Perine getting a few more touches, perhaps especially in the passing game. Overall, it looks like Mixon is going to be the better fantasy play here.

Per Hobson, Zac (Taylor) says Joe Mixon has chance to clear concussion protocol and says Hayden Hurst (calf) is doubtful this week.

Related Players: Mitchell Wilcox, Devin Asiasi

Just what the tight end position in fantasy needs is one less viable option, but here we are. Hurst has been having a marginal fantasy season on a whole, but was the TE13 on the season heading into Week 13. Mitchell Wilcox was the only other tight to earn a target last week, but Devin Asiasi was selected by the Patriots in the third round of the 2020 draft as an athletic passing game weapon. He would be the choice for deep, TE Premium leagues.

Head coach Zac Taylor says Joe Mixon is still in protocol and a decision is pending. If he’s cleared he should be good to go. He has worked in a limited fashion.

Related Players: Samaje Perine

It looks like this could be turning into a frustrating decision for fantasy purposes, but obviously, the team isn't looking to rush Mixon back onto the field. If he were to miss Week 13's incredible offensive battle with the Chiefs, Samaje Perine would be a locked-in RB2. Hopefully, we will have more clarity by 1:00 on Sunday.

Joe Mixon, Ja'Marr Chase, DJ Reader all limited Wednesday at Bengals practice. Good news... Josh Tupou returns to full participation.

Good news for Chase and his owners. The hope was he'd return in Week 12, but now is hopefully on track for Week 13. Keep in mind Chase was limited last week as well. It could be a shootout against the Chiefs so if Chase plays, start him with confidence.

Zac Taylor said Joe Mixon (concussion protocol) will be at practice today. Good sign for Mixon.

Related players: Samaje Perine, Trayveon Williams

Mixon looks to be back on track to play in Week 13. The Bengals play a later Sunday game at home against the Chiefs, so continue to monitor Mixon's practice status. Given how Perine performed with Mixon out, you may want to keep him around if you can afford the roster spot.

Bengals’ RB Joe Mixon, who missed Cincinnati’s win against the Titans due to a concussion, “is trending in the direction” of being able to play Sunday versus the Chiefs.

Related Players: Samaje Perine

Week 13's AFC Championship rematch could be nothing short of offensive fireworks, and Mixon —or Samaje Perine if Mixon is forced out for a second straight week— would be a must-start if cleared.