Drew Sample - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 41-24

NOVEMBER 3 • 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 • 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 offense

SEPTEMBER 22 • 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 • 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 • ROTOWIRE

Watch: Joe Burrow, Sam Hubbard and Drew Sample Prepare for 2024 Season Training camp is less than one week away

JULY 18 • SI.COM

Quick Hits: Special Teams Ace Akeem Davis-Gaither's Big Return; 3-Year Deal Right At Home For Drew Sample; Inking A Deal With Bengals Ownership Multiple reports have the Bengals re-signing backup linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither to a one-year deal. One report has special teams coordina...

MARCH 12 • BENGALS.COM

Photos: Best of TE Drew Sample Check out the best photos of TE Drew Sample during the 2023 season.

MARCH 11 • BENGALS.COM

Bengals Re-Sign Drew Sample The Bengals today re-signed TE Drew Sample to a three-year contract extension through the 2026 season.

MARCH 11 • BENGALS.COM

Browning's 14-yard dart to slanting Sample yields another first down Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning's 14-yard dart to slanting tight end Drew Sample yields another first down.

DECEMBER 23, 2023 • NFL.COM

Finds end zone against Steelers Sample caught his lone target for an 11 yard touchdown in Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Steelers.

Impact Sample played the most snaps (19) at tight end for the Bengals, ahead of Irv Smith (16) ,Tanner Hudson (13) and Mitchell Wilcox (12). The veteran's touchdown was just his second of the season while his usage in the passing attack has been minimal throughout 2023. As part of a crowded tight end room splitting playing time, Sample is not a trustworthy fantasy option for consistent production. The Bengals are set to face off against the Jaguars in Week 13.

NOVEMBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Drew Sample enters wrecking-ball mode on 11-yard TD catch Cincinnati Bengals tight end Drew Sample enters wrecking-ball mode on 11-yard TD catch via play action to give Bengals 6-3 lead early in sec...

NOVEMBER 26, 2023 • NFL.COM

Increasing sample size Sample caught three passes for 30 yards and his first touchdown of the year against the Bills on Sunday night. He was targeted a season-high four times.

Impact All three Bengals tight ends were targeted more than they usually are against the Bills. Prior to Sunday night, most of Sample's snaps required him to stay in and block, a tendency that the Bengals exploited on a clever play for his touchdown.

NOVEMBER 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Drew Sample takes Burrow's screen pass 21 yards to the house Cincinnati Bengals tight end Drew Sample takes Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow's screen pass 21 yards to the house.

NOVEMBER 6, 2023 • NFL.COM

Bengals TE Drew Sample making faster injury comeback than expected Good news for the Bengals on the injury front.

JUNE 15, 2023 • USATODAY.COM

Ends season on IR Sample recorded two catches for minus-2 yards over two appearances before missing the rest of the regular season and postseason while recovering from surgery to address MCL and PCL...

Impact A second-round pick in 2019, Sample never developed into a major receiving option over the four years of his rookie deal. Though Sample could be at or near full health by the spring, the impending free agent isn't a lock to be retained by Cincinnati.

FEBRUARY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on IR Sample (knee) was placed on injured reserve Monday, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Impact As expected, Sample will likely miss the remainder of the season after suffering damage to his MCL and PCL in his right knee Sept. 18 versus the Cowboys. The 26-year-old has a chance to return in early December, though that seems unlikely. Mitchell Wilcox will replace Sample as the top reserve option behind Hayden Hurst at tight end for the time being.

OCTOBER 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Bengals Place Tight End Drew Sample on Injured Reserve The veteran had surgery last week

OCTOBER 3, 2022 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Bengals Place Tight End Drew Sample on Injured Reserve The veteran had surgery last week

OCTOBER 3, 2022 • SACBEE.COM

Headed to IR Head coach Zac Taylor said the Bengals will place Sample (knee) on injured reserve in the next couple of days, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Sample underwent surgery on his right knee following the team's Week 2 loss to the Cowboys. His return timetable is unclear, but it's possible he'll miss the entire campaign after initial tests revealed damage to his MCL and PCL, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. In Sample's absence, Mitchell Wilcox has stepped up as the Bengals' top backup tight end behind Hayden Hurst.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

QB Tagovailoa listed as active for showdown with Bengals

Despite being banged up, Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is listed as active for the Thursday night game against the Cincinnati Bengals

SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Burrow ties career high with 5 TD passes as Bengals get first home win, 41-24 over Raiders

QB Joe Burrow says it's a 'luxury' for the Bengals to have so many pass-catching tight ends

QB Tagovailoa listed as active for showdown with Bengals