Impact Sample has always been a block-first tight end, but this was an extreme result even for him. Then again, with Tanner Hudson out, the Bengals didn't have an alternative as a blocking tight end.
OCTOBER 19 • ROTOWIRE
DREW SAMPLE #89 - TIGHT END - CINCINNATI BENGALS
24 YDS •
5 REC •
1 TD
24 YDS
5 REC
1 TD
Blocker only Sample played 38 offensive snaps (53 percent) Thursday night against the Steelers without a target or even a route run.
Handles blocking role in Week 7 Sample didn't draw a target or run a route while playing 39 of the Bengals' 76 offensive snaps in Thursday's 33-31 win over the Steelers.
Impact Sample has always been deployed mainly as a blocker when he's taken the field, but the Bengals took that to an extreme in Week 7. Cincinnati didn't have Tanner Hudson (concussion) available as a depth option at tight end, which may have motivated the decision to scale back Sample's route running and use him exclusively as a blocker behind starter Noah Fant, who moved atop the depth chart due to Mike Gesicki (pectoral) hitting injured reserve.
OCTOBER 19 • ROTOWIRE
More snaps forthcoming? Sample had one catch while losing two yards on two targets in Sunday's loss to the Packers. He played 21 offensive snaps.
Impact Sample could be in line for more playing time Thursday night, with Mike Gesicki (pectoral) out and Tanner Hudson in the concussion protocol. Sample's primary role is as a blocker, however, so that rise in playing time is unlikely to translate into bankable fantasy production.
OCTOBER 14 • ROTOWIRE
Cleared to play Week 6 Sample (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Packers, Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Impact Sample upgraded his practice participation throughout the week to gain clearance, as he went from a non-participant Wednesday to a limited participant Thursday before practicing without limitations Friday. Sample's impact in the passing game will likely remain limited, as Mike Gesicki and Noah Fant are ahead of him on the depth chart.
OCTOBER 10 • ROTOWIRE
Upgrades to limited practice Sample (ankle) was limited in practice Thursday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Sample missed practice Wednesday, so to see him now handling limited reps bodes well for the depth tight end's chances of being cleared to suit up on the road against Green Bay on Sunday. Cincinnati's move to trade for a new starting quarterback in the form of veteran Joe Flacco could provide a spark for this passing game, but both Mike Gesicki and Noah Fant rank ahead of Sample on the depth chart, especially in the receiving game. If Sample can upgrade to full practice reps Friday, he'll likely avoid an injury designation for Week 6.
OCTOBER 9 • ROTOWIRE
Working through ankle injury Sample did not participate in Wednesday's practice due to an ankle injury, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.
Impact Sample played 41 snaps (27 on offense, 14 on special teams) and logged one catch for minus-1 yard during the Bengals' 37-24 loss to the Lions in Week 5. He has come out of that contest worse for wear with an ankle injury, and he'll have two more opportunities to return to practice and avoid an injury designation heading into Sunday's contest against the Packers at Lambeau Field. Tanner Hudson and Cam Grandy would be in line to step up as the TE3 behind Mike Gesicki and Noah Fant if Sample is not cleared to play against Green Bay.
OCTOBER 8 • ROTOWIRE
Not targeted against Denver Sample failed to record a single target in Monday's 28-3 loss to the Broncos.
Impact Despite fellow tight end Noah Fant (concussion) missing Monday's contest against the Broncos, Sample actually saw a decrease in playing time from Week 3. The veteran tight end played 22 of the Bengals' 48 offensive snaps, behind Mike Gesicki (27) and ahead of both Cam Grandy (4) and Tanner Hudson (1). Through four games, Sample has recorded just three receptions for 27 yards and a touchdown. Based on his limited usage, the 29-year-old remains far off the fantasy radar heading into a Week 5 matchup against the Lions.
OCTOBER 1 • ROTOWIRE
Bengals set dubious franchise record for most lopsided loss in 38-point drubbing by Vikings
The Cincinnati Bengals have suffered their most lopsided loss in franchise historySEPTEMBER 21 • Associated Press
Drew Sample dives over goal line for Bengals first TD of game Cincinnati Bengals tight end Drew Sample catches a 4-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jake Browning.
SEPTEMBER 21 • NFL.COM
All set for Week 1 Sample (undisclosed) did not appear on the Bengals' injury report Wednesday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.
Impact Sample suffered an undisclosed injury during the preseason, but he now appears to be back to full health. The tight end will operate as a depth option behind Mike Gesicki and Noah Fant in Sunday's regular-season opener against the Browns.
SEPTEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE
Dealing with minor injury Sample is considered day-to-day with an unspecified injury, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.
Impact Sample presumably was injured during Monday's preseason win over Washington. He got some first-team snaps in the game, rotating with Noah Fant and Tanner Hudson at tight end, while Mike Gesicki (hamstring) was unavailable. With Gesicki said to be nearing a return, there's not much room for the other tight ends to see enough targets for fantasy relevance. Fant and Hudson offer more pass-catching potential than Sample, in any case, considering the seventh-year Bengal has 100 catches and just four TDs in 78 regular-season games. It sounds like Sample's injury isn't considered serious, potentially allowing him to fill his usual block-first role come Week 1 at Cleveland.
AUGUST 20 • ROTOWIRE
Quick Hits: Drew Samples Role As Dean Of Bengals; New No. 3 QB Desmond Ridder Already Quick Study Of Joe Burrow Drew Sample on being the new Dean of the Bengals ... Desmond Ridder, the Bengals’ new No. 3 quarterback reared in Louisville before coming o...
JULY 22 • BENGALS.COM
Four receptions in finale Sample tied a season-high with four catches in Saturday's Week 18 win over the Steelers, netting just 14 yards. For the season Sample caught 20 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown...
Impact Sample has been a blocking-first tight end for most of his career, dating back to his college days at the University of Washington. This season falls sharply in line with his career production.
JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE
Good to go against Pittsburgh Sample (groin) is active for Saturday's game against the Steelers.
Impact Sample was expected to play in Saturday's regular-season finale despite missing practice all week due to a groin injury. Sample will serve as the Bengals' No. 2 tight end behind Mike Gesicki.
JANUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE
Expected to play against Steelers Sample (groin) is listed as questionable for Saturday night's game against Pittsburgh.
Impact Head coach Zac Taylor relayed Thursday that Sample is expected to play despite missing practice all week due to a groin injury, per Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic. In the five games since the Bengals' Week 12 bye, Sample has caught seven passes on as many targets for 44 yards while serving as the No. 2 tight end behind Mike Gesicki. Tanner Hudson would see an increased snap count on offense if Sample was limited in his playing time or ruled out entirely.
JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE
Managing groin injury Sample was deemed a non-participant in Tuesday's practice walkthrough due to a groin issue, Jay Morrison of SI.com reports.
Impact This is the first word of the tight end dealing with a groin issue, and it's currently unclear how severe the injury is. Sample handled about his usual workload this past Saturday against Denver, logging 51 offensive snaps and recording one catch on one target for three yards. Sample isn't typically a big part of the Bengals' air attack, but his effective blocking would be missed if he can't suit up Saturday versus Pittsburgh.
DECEMBER 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Leads position group in snaps Monday Sample was on the field for 49 of the Bengals' 71 snaps on offense and recorded two receptions for 13 yards on two targets in Monday's 27-20 win over the Cowboys.
Impact Sample comfortably paced Bengals tight ends in playing time, logging more snaps than Mike Gesicki (20), Cam Grandy (17) and Tanner Hudson (14). While it's not out of the ordinary for Sample to lead the group in snaps, he functions primarily as a blocker when he's on the field and typically isn't as involved in the passing game compared to Gesicki and Hudson, both of whom have logged more targets, receptions and receiving yards on the season.
DECEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Two catches in Week 13 loss Sample recorded two receptions for eight yards on two targets in Sunday's 44-38 loss to the Steelers.
Impact Sample's 39 snaps paced all Cincinnati tight ends, ranking ahead of Mike Gesicki (27), Tanner Hudson (12) and Cam Grandy (nine). Though he's now played more than half of Cincinnati's offensive snaps in each of the last four games, Sample brings most of his value as a blocker and isn't as involved in the passing game as Gesicki and Hudson. Sample has still managed to produce a 7-31-1 receiving line on eight targets over that four-game stretch, exceeding his combined output from the first eight weeks of the season (four catches for 28 yards and no touchdowns on five targets).
DECEMBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
No targets in Week 10 Sample did not see any targets in Thursday's loss to the Ravens.
Impact Sample had his best game of the season with four catches and a touchdown in Week 9 against Las Vegas, but he was back to being a non-factor Thursday. Meanwhile, Bengals No. 1 tight end Mike Gesicki caught four passes on nine targets for 30 yards against Baltimore and Tanner Hudson notched six catches on seven targets for 42 yards and a touchdown. Sample did finish second among the team's tight ends with 46 offensive snaps, but with zero receptions in seven of his 10 contests this season, he can't be counted on for offensive production on a weekly basis.
NOVEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Catches touchdown in win Sample hauled in all four of his targets for 14 yards and a touchdown during the Bengals' win over the Raiders on win.
Impact Sample was one of four different Cincinnati receivers to haul in a touchdown pass from Joe Burrow during Sunday's blowout win. Sample has now caught eight of his nine targets for 42 yards and a touchdown across nine games this season.
NOVEMBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Burrow ties career high with 5 TD passes as Bengals get first home win, 41-24 over Raiders
Joe Burrow tied a career high with five touchdown passes, and the Cincinnati Bengals got their first home win, routing the Las Vegas Raiders 41-24NOVEMBER 3, 2024 • Associated Press
Goes without target Week 6 Sample didn't draw a target while playing 26 of the Bengals' 53 snaps on offense in Sunday's 17-7 win over the Giants.
Impact Though Sample paced the Bengals four active tight ends in snaps, the rookie Erick All was the only member of the quartet that drew a target on the evening. Sample has handled snap shares north of 40 percent in each of Cincinnati's first four contest, but he's on the field primarily for his prowess as a blocker. He's been targeted just four times across his 169 offensive snaps on the season.
OCTOBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
QB Joe Burrow says it's a 'luxury' for the Bengals to have so many pass-catching tight ends
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow says it's a “luxury” to have so many versatile tight ends in the offenseSEPTEMBER 22, 2024 • Associated Press
Three grabs in Week 2 Sample secured all three of his targets for 28 yards in Sunday's 26-25 loss to the Chiefs.
Impact Sample played 33 of the Bengals' 64 offensive snaps, splitting time with fellow tight ends Mike Gesicki and Erick All. The veteran's minimal production is to be expected with Gesicki operating as the clear top option at tight end while seeing a team-high nine targets in the contest. Going forward, Sample should not be trusted for fantasy purposes. The Bengals will host the Commanders in Week 3.
SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Not targeted in loss Sample failed to record a single target in Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Patriots.
Impact Despite not seeing a target Sunday, Sample played the most offensive snaps (27) of any Cincinnati tight end. The Bengals found it hard to move the ball against a formidable New England defense, and the veteran tight end wasn't a factor in the passing game. Teammate Mike Gesicki, however, was the preferred target at tight end for Joe Burrow, seeing four targets in the contest. Sample will likely continue to see an uphill battle for targets when the Bengals square off against the Chiefs in Week 2.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
