Five Bengals to watch for vs. Texans
Sunday's game between the Cincinnati Bengals (5-3) and Houston Texans (4-4) just got a whole lot more interesting with the activation of Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. The former third-overall pick will make his return off the Reserve/Injured list, and may end up facing off against former LSU teammate Ja'Marr Chase if the Bengals' star […]
Sunday's game between the Cincinnati Bengals (5-3) and Houston Texans (4-4) just got a whole lot more interesting with the activation of Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. The former third-overall pick will make his return off the Reserve/Injured list, and may end up facing off against former LSU teammate Ja'Marr Chase if the Bengals' star receiver is active.
LSU's magical 2019 run to the National Championship wouldn't have been possible without Chase and Stingley shining so bright for the Tigers. If Chase needs any more motivation for suiting up Sunday despite having back pain, it will be the chance to face his former teammate for the first time in the NFL.
Chase and Stingley are but two of several players we'll be watching for when (or if) they square off in Paycor Stadium. Here are five more Bengals who need to have good games.
Five Bengals to Watch vs. Texans
WR Trenton Irwin
Chase may be expected to play, but Tee Higgins has already been declared out with a hamstring injury. That puts Irwin back in the starting lineup like he was in Week 5. Irwin notched career highs in receptions (8) and yards (60) that day against the Arizona Cardinals.
It also wouldn't be surprising to see Irwin and rookie Andrei Iosivas split snaps in a near equal fashion against Houston. Both players need to continue stepping up in Higgins' absence.
TE Tanner Hudson
Injuries at the receiver position open up more doors for Hudson as well. In three games this year, Hudson has taken more snaps in the slot (27) than he’s had as an inline tight end (24), which also matches his reps on the outside.
Against the Buffalo Bills last week, Hudson hauled in four receptions for 45 yards, three of those catches going for first downs. Expect a similar level of production in this game against Houston's suspect pass defense.
ED Cam Sample
On the other side of the ball, Cincinnati will have to compensate for the lack of Sam Hubbard at edge defender. Sample is the next man up at the position, and the drop-off is not that bad. The third-year lineman is second on the Bengals’ defense in pass rush win rate (12.5%) among players 100 pass rushing snaps this season.
Sample can play against the run and pass, making him the ideal replacement for Hubbard. Rookie Myles Murphy and Joseph Ossai will also have to take the field more often as the rotation is down to four at the position.
NT DJ Reader
Let’s be honest, it’s fun watching one of the best nose tackles in the NFL no matter the circumstance. Reader remains a dominant two-way force against the run and pass, and for the first time, he’ll be playing his former team.
Reader was drafted by the Texans all the way back in 2016 and spent four years with the franchise. The Bengals signed him to a four-year deal in the 2020 offseason after Houston opted to let him test the market, a decision they probably regret. Reader will have extra motivation to ensure that's the case when he takes the field.
CB DJ Turner II
Cincinnati’s most productive rookie this season experienced some struggles last week. Buffalo’s Stefon Diggs racked up 51 yards and a touchdown on just two catches against Turner in coverage, as well as a two-point conversion. One of the best receivers in the game made Turner look like a rookie, which isn’t too shocking to rationalize.
A bounce-back performance is needed for Turner this week as C.J. Stroud is playing out of his mind at quarterback, and rookie wide receiver Tank Dell is a matchup nightmare for slower cornerbacks. Turner's speed will be called upon to keep Dell in check.
Kickoff for Sunday's game is at 1:00pm E.T. Learn how to watch and the stream the game here.
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