ALEX ERICKSON NEWS

Added to Carolina's practice squad The Panthers signed Erickson to their practice squad Monday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official website reports.

Impact Erickson spent the first five seasons of his NFL career with the Bengals before joining Houston this offseason. He failed to beat out Keke Coutee and Anthony Miller for a slot receiver role and now finds himself on Carolina's practice squad. The Panthers only kept five wideouts on their initial 53-man roster, so a promotion for Erickson could be likely if one of them goes down with an injury.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Released by Texans Erickson was released by the Texans on Tuesday, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Erickson was active for the Texans during the preseason, but was always considered to be on the outside looking in for the 53-man roster. He was competing with Keke Coutee and Anthony Miller for a slot receiver role. The Wisconsin product spent his first five seasons with the Bengals before joining Houston during the offseason.

AUGUST 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

No resolution to Watson dilemma as he stays on Texans roster

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AUGUST 31, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Hauls in two passes Erickson caught two of three targets for 25 yards in Saturday's 23-16 loss to the Buccaneers in preseason Week 3.

Impact Erickson, primarily a slot receiver, had a pair of grabs in each of the final two preseason games. The former Bengal played a significant amount of snaps with projected starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor during camp and in preseason games. That was largely possible due to Anthony Miller, also primarily a slot receiver, missing time the last two weeks due to a shoulder injury. Erickson currently sits outside most 53-man roster projections, but he could be brought back if Houston rosters Miller then places him on injured reserve.

AUGUST 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Grabs two passes Saturday Erickson caught two of three targets for 18 yards in Saturday's 20-14 win over the Cowboys in preseason Week 2. He also returned one punt for nine yards.

Impact Erickson moved up the depth chart behind Keke Coutee for the game because Anthony Miller (shoulder) was unavailable. Miller's injury timeline is expected to run through the preseason with hope that he can play the season opener at home against Jacksonville. If Miller's timeline is pushed out any longer, Erickson is line to take his snaps.

AUGUST 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

In the mix at slot Erickson is getting reps as a slot receiver during training camp, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Erickson signed a one-year deal as a free agent and is competing with Keke Coutee and Anthony Miller in the slot. The five-year veteran has not missed a game in five NFL seasons while with Cincinnati, though he has only been an occasional starter on offense. Erickson's been much more prevalent as a returner during this time with the Bengals.

AUGUST 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Meet WR Alex Erickson Get to know Houston Texans wide receiver Alex Erickson, signed as an unrestricted free agent on March 30, 2021.

MAY 20, 2021 • HOUSTONTEXANS.COM

Alex Erickson, free-agent former Bengals receiver and returner, joining Texans, per report Alex Erickson is headed to Houston after playing for the Cincinnati Bengals for his first five NFL seasons.

MARCH 19, 2021 • CINCINNATI.COM

Joining Texans Erickson is signing a one-year contract with the Texans, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Erickson is most notable as a special-teams ace, though he'll also be able to provide Houston with some wide receiver depth. After having been held under 200 yards in four of five career seasons, though, Erickson's breakout chances seem slim enough that he can only justifiably be rostered in exceptionally deep dynasty formats.

MARCH 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Quiet finale, quiet season Erickson had one catch on three targets in the Bengals' season-ending loss to the Ravens, closing out the season with only 12 catches for 139 yards and no touchdowns.

Impact It's a fitting close for Erickson, who was unable to break through with many big plays and in fact committed a couple of costly fumbles on the season. He'll be a free agent this offseason, and there's no guarantee that he'll return.

JANUARY 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Bengals cap productive week with pair of unexpected wins

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DECEMBER 28, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Racks up 88 yards Erickson recorded six receptions on six targets for 88 yards in Week 16 against the Texans.

Impact Erickson took over the primary slot role with Tyler Boyd (concussion) sidelined. He did most of his work in the short areas of the field, though he did manage to work deep downfield for a 42-yard gain early in the third quarter. Should Boyd miss the team's Week 17 matchup against the Ravens, Erickson should maintain his role in the slot.

DECEMBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Added snaps likely Sunday Erickson is expected to start in place of Tyler Boyd (concussion) Sunday against the Texans, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Tee Higgins and A.J. Green are also in the team's wide receiver mix Sunday, so Erickson -- who's caught five passes for 43 yards in 14 games to date -- still represents a speculative fantasy option in Week 16 lineups.

DECEMBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Loses key fumble Erickson caught one pass for nine yards and lost a fumble on a rushing attempt in Sunday's loss to the Cowboys.

Impact Erickson's fumble was one of three lost by the Bengals, and it ultimately led to a touchdown drive that increased the Cowboys' lead to 17-0. The veteran wideout has yet to see more than three targets or two touches in a game this season, instead seeing most of his action as a punt returner.

DECEMBER 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Dalton returns to Cincy, leads Cowboys over Bengals 30-7

Andy Dalton was good enough in his return to Cincinnati, tossing two touchdown passes and helping lead the Dallas Cowboys to a 30-7 win over the Bengals

DECEMBER 13, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Hauls in two targets Erickson caught two of three targets for 17 yards, returned one kickoff for 24 yards and two punts for 13 yards during Sunday's 19-7 loss to Miami.

Impact The 28-year-old played a season-high 19 offensive snaps Sunday, which is the first time all season he's logged double digits in that category. Erickson hasn't been involved much offensively in 2020, but he should continue to see work in the return game for the Bengals.

DECEMBER 7, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Giants in playoff hunt, riding longest win streak since '16

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NOVEMBER 30, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Totals 10 yards Erickson caught his only target for eight yards, rushed once for two yards and returned two punts for 19 yards during Sunday's 20-9 loss to Washington.

Impact The 28-year-old played only five offensive snaps, which is still the most playing time he's seen since Week 4. Erickson is buried on Cincinnati's depth chart at wide receiver, and his primary role continues to be in the return game.

NOVEMBER 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

The Latest: Quarterbacks drafted No. 1 shine around NFL

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NOVEMBER 15, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

No return chances against Titans Erickson fielded one offensive snap and five special-teams snaps during Sunday's 31-20 upset of Tennessee, but he registered no touches in either department.

Impact Erickson remains situated as the Bengals' top punt returner, though he hasn't been afforded a single opportunity to bring one back over the past three weeks. On 10 returns this season, Erickson's 9.3 yards-per-attempt average ranks right up there with the best in the league, as the veteran currently sits sixth in the NFL in that category. Erickson's offensive role has been practically non-existent, however, as he has just one catch this season after racking up a career-best 43 during a 2-14 campaign for Cincinnati last year.

NOVEMBER 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Peels off long punt return Erickson collected 29 yards on two punt return attempts during Sunday's 16-13 loss to the Chargers.

Impact The special-teams ace received four snaps for the Bengals' offense without registering a target, but he made his presence felt in the return game. Erickson was able to take back a Ty Long punt for a 22-yard return at the 7:53 mark of the third quarter, helping to set up Randy Bullock with a 43-yard field goal that put Cincinnati ahead by seven points for the time being. Though Erickson boasts strong averages for his career -- 24.8 yards per kick return and 7.6 yards per punt return -- he remains without a special-teams touchdown on 219 attempts.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE