Sample (neck) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

EDGE Analysis

Sample upgraded to full participation after being limited in Wednesday's session, and the tight end is free of injury designation for Sunday's game against the Dolphins. The No. 3 tight end has been quite productive for his depth position in the Bengals' offense this season, logging nine receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets. Sample's health stabilizes a tight end room that might be without Noah Fant (ankle) for Sunday's contest.

Sample (neck) was limited in Wednesday's practice, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's a new injury for Sample, who has appeared in all 14 games this season, including 11 starts. Sample doesn't do much other than block, as he's recorded just a 9-50-1 receiving line on 14 targets across 50 percent of the Bengals' offensive snaps.

Sample played 38 offensive snaps (53 percent) Thursday night against the Steelers without a target or even a route run.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Sample had one catch while losing two yards on two targets in Sunday's loss to the Packers. He played 21 offensive snaps.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Sample (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Packers, Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Sample (ankle) was limited in practice Thursday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sample missed practice Wednesday, so his ability to handle 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 as pass-catching options. If Sample can upgrade to full practice reps Friday, he'll likely avoid an injury designation for Week 6.

Sample did not participate in Wednesday's practice due to an ankle injury, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Sample failed to record a single target in Monday's 28-3 loss to the Broncos.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Sample (undisclosed) did not appear on the Bengals' injury report Wednesday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Sample is considered day-to-day with an unspecified injury, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.