Limited Wednesday

Ross (groin) was limited at practice Wednesday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Analysis: Ross shook off the groin injury that had sidelined him for three of the past four contests and played 36 of the Bengals' 43 offensive snaps in Sunday's 51-14 loss to the Saints. Though he found paydirt for the third time this season, Ross tallied just two receptions for 39 yards on six targets, which registered as somewhat disappointing volume with top target A.J. Green (toe) sidelined. It's expected that Ross's limitations Wednesday were maintenance-related, so he should have another…read more

Scores on first drive Sunday

Ross caught a touchdown pass on the Bengals' first drive of the day Sunday against the Saints, but overall was held to two catches for 39 yards in a losing effort.

Analysis: Ross led the Bengals with six targets, including one that resulted in a fateful interception in the two-minute drill in the second quarter. That pick was brought back deep into Bengals territory and led to a Saints touchdown right before halftime. Ross could be a frequent target the next few games with A.J. Green (toe) possibly out until December.

Puts in full practice

Ross (groin) practiced fully Wednesday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Analysis: Ross, who has missed three of the last four games, is poised to return to action Sunday against the Saints. The timing couldn't be better for the second-year wideout, as top target A.J. Green is sidelined by a toe injury for at least one week. In the meantime, Tyler Boyd profiles as the Bengals' No. 1 wide receiver, but the absence of Green provides the speedy Ross with a clear opportunity to make his biggest splash as a pro since being taken with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Returns to practice

Ross (groin) is practicing Monday, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports

Analysis: Ross was held out of practice leading up to an absence for Week 8 against Tampa Bay, but he seems to have made progress coming out of a Week 9 bye. With A.J. Green (toe) looking doubtful to play in Sunday's game against New Orleans, the Bengals may have little choice but to make Ross a key part of the game plan in a highly favorable matchup.

Won't play Sunday

Ross (groin) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: With the Bengals on bye Week 9, the soonest Ross will play in a game is Nov. 11 against the Saints. In his absence this weekend, Alex Erickson and Cody Core are candidates to see added snaps behind Cincinnati's top wideouts, A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd.

Set to miss another practice

Ross (groin) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Analysis: Ross's absence for the second straight day of practice this week adds further fuel to the notion that the groin injury will prevent him from playing Sunday against the Buccaneers. If Ross is sidelined, Alex Erickson and Cody Core would likely draw more snaps in three-receiver sets, though neither projects as an especially appealing fantasy option with A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd locked in as Andy Dalton's preferred targets.

Unlikely to play Sunday

Ross (groin) didn't practice Wednesday, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

Analysis: Per Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com, it's unlikely that Ross will play Sunday against the Buccaneers, but he has yet to be ruled out for the contest. The speedy wideout is dealing with an aggravation of the groin injury that forced him to miss time earlier this season. If Ross is indeed sidelined this weekend, Alex Erickson and Cody Core would be the top candidates to see added snaps behind Cincinnati's top wideouts, A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd.

Likely to miss time with groin injury

Ross is expected to miss a few weeks due to the groin injury he suffered in Sunday's 45-10 loss to the Chiefs, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Ross failed to haul in his lone target across 30 offensive snaps before aggravating the groin issue that had sidelined him in Weeks 5 and 6. The setback may prompt the Bengals to take a more cautious approach with the second-year wideout this time around, though a Week 9 bye should at least help reduce the amount of actual game action he misses. In any case, Ross seems likely to sit out the Bengals' Week 8 tilt with the Buccaneers at the very minimum, which will presumably pave the way for Alex…read more

Exits with groin injury

Ross left Sunday's game against the Chiefs with a groin injury and will not return to the contest, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Analysis: Ross missed a Week 6 loss to the Steelers with a groin injury, but he then logged full practice participation throughout the week and was cleared on the final injury report for Sunday's game against the Chiefs. He'll finish the night without any catches on just one target, with his absence leaving more snaps for Alex Erickson.

Practicing fully

Ross (groin) practiced fully Wednesday, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

Analysis: Ross thus appears poised to return to the Bengals' wideout mix Sunday night against the Chiefs. Jeremy Rauch of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati relays that the speedy receiver is eager to bolster the Bengals' receiver depth in Week 7. "I definitely want to get back and get in there and take pressure off those two guys [AJ Green and Tyler Boyd]," Ross noted Wednesday. When healthy, the 2017 first-round pick has field-stretching ability and play-making upside, but both Green and Boyd are well ahead of him…read more

Inactive Sunday

Ross (groin) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Steelers.

Analysis: With Ross out, A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd will continue to head the Bengals' Week 6 wideout corps, while Alex Erickson figures to work as the team's No. 3 option Sunday after catching all three of his Week 5 targets for 24 yards.

Not expected to play Sunday

Ross (groin), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers, isn't expected to play, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Ross was able to practice in a limited capacity throughout the week, but the Bengals may have wanted to see him do more work after the strained groin sidelined him for last Sunday's win over the Dolphins. There's a chance the second-year wideout could be available in Week 6 if he checks out fine during a pregame workout, but it appears the Bengals are planning to proceed without him for the divisional matchup. If Ross is sidelined for a second straight game, Alex Erickson would likely take on…read more

Listed as questionable this week

Ross (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's 1:00 ET game against the Steelers after practicing in a limited fashion all week, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

Analysis: The speedy 2017 first-rounder certainly has field-stretching ability and play-making upside, but for the time being fellow wideouts A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd are ahead of him in terms of volume. That reality makes Ross -- who has seven catches on 15 targets for 79 yards and two TDs in four games to date -- a hit-or-miss fantasy option, when available.

Limited again Thursday

Ross (groin) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Analysis: Ross was also limited at Wednesday's session, so he may need to put in a full practice Friday to avoid an injury designation heading into Sunday's matchup with the Steelers. While Ross was sidelined for the Week 5 win over the Dolphins with the groin strain, Alex Erickson stepped in as the Bengals' No. 3 wideout, but didn't make much of an impact in the box score (three catches for 24 yards on three targets).

Limited at Wednesday's practice

Ross (groin) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Ross was also a limited participant last Wednesday, but he then regressed to non-participation the following two days. It thus stands that any form of participation Thursday would mark a step in the right direction, potentially allowing for a return to game action Sunday against Pittsburgh. His speed is useful to the Cincinnati offense, but Ross doesn't seem to have much upside in terms of regular target volume so long as A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd are both healthy.

Won't play this week

Ross (groin) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Analysis: The Bengals will miss Ross's speed and play-making potential in Week 5, but fortunately their top two wideouts, A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd, will both be available.

Not practicing Thursday

Ross (groin) didn't practice Thursday and was instead restricted to doing elliptical work on the side, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: After coming out of the Week 4 over the Falcons with the groin injury, Ross was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. The fact that he's working out with the rehab group a day later suggests he may be trending in the wrong direction as the Bengals' Week 5 matchup with the Dolphins approaches. Ross could restore some optimism about his outlook for the weekend by returning to practice Friday in some fashion, but for the time being, his status for Sunday looks to be up in the air.

Logs limited practice session

Ross was limited at practice Wednesday due to a groin issue, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

Analysis: The speedy wideout's status will thus need to be tracked as Sunday's game against the Dolphins apparoches. Through four games, Ross has caught just seven passes on 15 for 79 yards, but two of those receptions went for touchdowns. The 2017 first-round pick certainly has play-making upside, but for now, he trails fellow wideouts A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd in terms of volume by a sizable margin.

Pulls muscle in win

Coach Marvin Lewis said Ross pulled a muscle during Sunday's 37-36 win over the Falcons, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

Analysis: Ross came up limping at the end of his 39-yard touchdown in the second quarter, but he continued playing until late in the game. He finished with two catches for 52 yards and the score on two targets, falling shy of five targets for a third time in four weeks this season. The Bengals will turn to Josh Malone or Alex Erickson for the No. 3 receiver job if Ross isn't available Week 5 against Miami.

Quiet in Week 3 loss

Ross turned seven targets into just three catches for 16 yards in Sunday's 31-21 loss to Carolina.

Analysis: Ross was quiet in this one, even after A.J. Green left the game with a groin injury in the third quarter. Fellow Bengals wideout Tyler Boyd has 223 yards and two touchdowns over the past two weeks, so Boyd would certainly be the first player owners should try to spring for should Green sit out next week's road clash with the Falcons.

Minimal role Thursday night

Ross was held to one catch for eight yards on four targets, along with one carry for minus-three yards in Thursday's win over the Ravens.

Analysis: Meanwhile, Tyler Boyd had a big day in the slot. It's only two games, but so far Ross is profiling as a boom-or-bust type of player, with limited opportunities to boom.

First NFL touchdown

Ross caught his first NFL touchdown pass in Sunday's win over the Colts, a three-yard reception in the second quarter.

Analysis: Though Ross was on the field for 36 snaps, he was targeted just twice on the day with that one catch. He draws the Ravens on Thursday night in Week 2.

Scores on 57-yard bomb

Ross caught two of four targets for 66 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 26-13 preseason win over Buffalo.

Analysis: Ross saw the field for just 17 plays as a rookie last season, but he's primed for a significantly greater role in Year 2. The speedster ran a beautiful stop-and-go route, then deked a pair of defenders after the catch to score a 57-yard touchdown on Cincinnati's first play from scrimmage. Ross beat cornerback Vontae Davis again on a quick slant later in the first quarter, and he would have been off to the races but instead dropped the ball. While still a work in progress, Ross has an exciting…read more

Makes presence felt versus Cowboys

Ross caught one of three targets for 29 yards and scored a two-point conversion during Saturday's 21-13 preseason win over the Cowboys.

Analysis: Ross waited until the second half to make his presence felt, registering a 29-yard gain to set up a field goal before capping a long touchdown drive with a catch for a two-point conversion. The second-year pro has just two catches to his name this preseason, but he's totaled 49 yards on those grabs, illustrating the explosive nature of his skill set. Ross is looking to stake his claim to a role in the offense and will look to get more involved next week against the Bills.

Nabs 20-yard pass

Ross caught one of five targets for 20 yards during Thursday's 30-27 win over the Bears.

Analysis: Ross' 20-yard catch-and-run set up Cincinnati's second score of the game. He was a huge disappointment as a top-10 pick last season, but he's reportedly bulked up and climbed up the depth chart this offseason. If he's able to rebound this season, he could change the complexion of the Bengals offense, forcing teams to either provide help against his otherworldly speed or face the potential consequences.

Moves up notch on depth chart

The Bengals released Brandon LaFell in large part because Ross and Tyler Boyd have looked so good in camp and were expected to take on bigger roles, the Dayton Daily News reports.

Analysis: While this release seems shocking to us and to LaFell's teammates, LaFell and his agent saw the writing on the wall and were actually requesting his release. This news however doesn't guarantee that Ross will start - it could very well be Boyd lining up opposite A.J. Green. But Ross will see the field more regardless, plus the Bengals would prefer if Boyd ends up being the slot receiver. In fact, the Bengals need him to see more action if there is any chance of them having a successful season.

Bulks up in offseason

Ross added a noticeable amount of muscle to his upper body this offseason, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Dating back to his college days, Ross has typically been focused on rehabbing from injuries rather than building strength. However, his quick recovery from December shoulder surgery allowed for a relatively normal offseason, with the 2017 first-round pick even participating in 11-on-11 work throughout OTAs and minicamp. While he'll always rely on speed above all else, Ross may have better luck staying healthy with more muscle packed onto his thin frame. He'll compete for a starting job during…read more

Ross was a full participant in 11-on-11 drills at the first round of OTAs, Jim Owczarski of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Analysis: Bengals coach Marvin Lewis deemed Ross healthy in March, clearing the second-year wideout for all activities during the offseason program. While his medical record now includes torn labrums in both shoulders, an ACL tear, two meniscus tears and microfracture surgery, Ross is at least healthy for the time being. He'll have every opportunity to supplant Brandon LaFell as the No. 2 receiver after the 31-year-old managed just 6.2 yards per target with three touchdowns on 52 catches last season.

Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said Ross (shoulder) is "all fixed now", Geoff Hobson of the team's official website reports. "[Ross] wasn't in my doghouse. I don't have a doghouse," Lewis said. "I think he's all the ability we wanted. That's why we drafted him. He had to get fixed. We knew he was injured going in and he got nicked up a couple of times in his lower legs and the other shoulder was bothering him. He's all fixed now."

Analysis: Ross had surgery on the labrum in his right shoulder last March, subsequently missing all of Bengals' offseason program and a considerable portion of training camp. He then sprained his left knee during the preseason, and he was in and out of the lineup throughout the year until a torn labrum in his left shoulder required surgery in December. In addition to that plethora of injuries, Ross entered the NFL with a medical history that included an ACL tear, two meniscus tears and microfracture…read more

The Bengals believe that Ross (shoulder) will be cleared to resume running routes during the team's offseason program, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

Analysis: Ross continues to rehab from December surgery to address the damaged labrum of his left shoulder, an injury that spelled an end to a highly disappointing rookie campaign. After entering the NFL with much hype after running a combine-record 4.22-second 40-yard dash and getting selected with the ninth overall pick last April, Ross struggled to stay healthy and earn offensive snaps, finishing the season with no receptions on two targets in only three games. Ross's unparalleled speed still makes…read more

Needs shoulder surgery

Ross, who was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, is expected to require surgery to repair the labrum in his left shoulder, Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com reports.

Analysis: Ross previously underwent surgery on his right shoulder shortly after running a 4.22 40-yard dash at the 2017 NFL Combine, but the procedure didn't impact his draft stock with the Bengals nabbing him with the No. 9 overall pick in April. He resumed practicing in the second week of training camp, but then suffered a knee injury in the Bengals' preseason finale and subsequently missed five of the first six weeks of the regular season. Ross ultimately played just 17 snaps on offense in three…read more

Placed on IR

The Bengals placed Ross (shoulder) on injured reserve Wednesday.

Analysis: Previous reports indicated that the No. 9 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft would likely play Week 14 against the Bears, but the team has decided to shut Ross down, with an eye toward having the speedster in top health for the 2018 campaign. Given Ross' unmatched speed, it's believed that he'll eventually emerge as a dangerous weapon in the Bengals' wideout corps opposite top option A.J. Green, but down the stretch this season, Brandon LaFell should retain the team's No. 2 receiver role. Tyler…read more

Ross (shoulder) didn't practice Wednesday.

Analysis: That said, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis indicated that the rookie wideout is slated to play Sunday against the Bears after being made a healthy inactive the past three games. The No. 9 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft brings blazing speed to the table and has serious potential to emerge as a dangerous weapon in the Bengals' wideout corps down the road, but Ross' opportunity to make a fantasy mark this season is limited. If he does play this weekend, a wait-and see approach is in order,…read more

Ross (coach's decision) is inactive for Monday's game against the Steelers, Jay Morrison of the Dayton Daily News reports.

Analysis: Ross has regularly been a healthy scratch this season and that's unlikely to change unless the Bengals fall out of playoff contention or an injury strikes a receiver above him on the depth chart.

Ross (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Browns.

Analysis: Ross has suited up only three times this year and has yet to record a catch on just two targets. The Bengals will instead operate with a passing game led by A.J. Green and Brandon LaFell, with Tyler Boyd and Alex Erickson serving as complementary options. Ross doesn't have much fantasy value in redraft leagues at this point, and Jim Owczarski of The Cincinnati Enquirer even goes as far as suggesting he won't be used until the Bengals are out of playoff contention.

Ross (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's contest in Denver.

Analysis: Head coach Marvin Lewis critiqued Ross' effort level during the week, noting the rookie wide receiver pulled up on a route down the right sideline last Sunday against the Titans. Consequently, it's no surprise Ross is a healthy scratch, as he's firmly in Lewis' doghouse at the moment. Expect Josh Malone, Tyler Boyd and Alex Erickson to see any targets not directed at A.J. Green and Brandon LaFell.

Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said Wednesday that he was disappointed with Ross's effort during a third-down play in the second quarter of Sunday's loss to the Titans, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "John had a play last week we weren't very thrilled with," Lewis said, in reference to Ross slowing down on a route when he thought he wasn't being targeted by quarterback Andy Dalton on the play. "He let his teammates down."

Analysis: After being inactive for the Week 9 loss to the Jaguars, Ross earned a spot on the game day roster against Tennessee, but logged only six snaps in the contest, with his lone target coming on the aforementioned play. Given Lewis' harsh words, it seems as if Ross could again be at risk of landing on the inactive list ahead of the Week 11 matchup with the Broncos, with a healthy Tyler Boyd the most likely candidate to take the rookie's spot if that's the case.

Ross is active for Sunday's game against the Titans, Jay Morrison of the Dayton Daily News reports.

Analysis: Ross has missed most of the Bengals' games this season while nursing knee soreness, but he had been healthy for about two weeks before head coach Marvin Lewis decided to make him inactive for the Week 9 loss to the Jaguars. With the rookie first-round draft pick having since put in another week of practice, the Bengals will allow Ross to suit up Sunday, but there's no guarantee he'll have much of a role in the team's game plan. A.J. Green and Brandon LaFell are the Bengals' clear top two…read more