Sample caught two of his three targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 30-27 loss to the Texans.

EDGE Analysis

Sample played 23 of the Bengals' 64 offensive snaps Sunday, just ahead of Irv Smith (21) and Tanner Hudson (20). The near-even split in snaps amongst Cincinnati's tight ends will likely continue to limit Sample's potential for consistent production going forward. Sample is extremely difficult to trust for fantasy purposes heading into a Week 11 matchup with the Ravens on Thursday.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Sample secured his only target for minus-one yard in Sunday's 27-3 loss to the Titans.

EDGE Analysis

Sample was a nonfactor Sunday, seeing just one target for the second straight week. The veteran's 17 offensive snaps were the third-most among tight ends, with both Tanner Hudson and Mitchell Wilcox handling more snaps in the contest. Top tight end Irv Smith was ruled out for Week 4 with a hamstring injury, but Sample remained an afterthought in the Bengals' struggling offense. The 27-year-old should be left out of fantasy lineups going into a Week 5 matchup with the Cardinals.

Sample went without a target across 13 snaps on offense Sunday in the Bengals' 27-24 loss to the Ravens.

EDGE Analysis

Sample has now logged 31 snaps on offense through the first two weeks of the season but has yet to draw a look in the passing game from quarterback Joe Burrow. So long as Irv Smith stays healthy, he'll be entrenched as Cincinnati's top tight end and will continue to dominate the snaps and targets among the position group.

Sample re-signed a with the Bengals on a one-year deal Friday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sample has spent the entirety of his four-year career in Cincinnati and will now be tied to the Bengals next season as well. The 26-year-old appeared in just two games last season before injuring both his MCL and PCL and logged two catches for minus-2 yards. Heading into next season, Sample will look to compete for playing time behind presumptive starter Irv Smith.

The Cardinals brought in Sample (knee) for a workout Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sample appeared in just two games with the Bengals last year before he sustained a season-ending MCL/PCL injury in his right knee in mid-September. The 27-year-old tight end underwent surgery to address the damage in his knee shortly after this injury, and he was not retained by Cincinnati this offseason. Therefore, his ability to go through a workout with Arizona is a good sign for his potential availability just under five months away from the start of the 2023 regular season. Sample never made a significant impact as a receiver over the first four seasons of his career, so he should vie for a role as a No. 2 tight end with any team that signs him this offseason.

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 damage to his right knee.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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

EDGE Analysis

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.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Sample will likely be forced to miss the remainder of the 2022 season due to MCL and PCL damage in his right knee, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Tuesday that Sample is set to undergo surgery following a right knee injury suffered during Sunday's loss to the Cowboys. While the tight end was initially expected to be sidelined for at least a few months, it now appears that he will sit out the rest of the year after initial tests revealed damage to his MCL and PCL, according to Fowler. Sample recorded 11 catches for 81 yards while playing 440 offensive snaps last season, and he will now look to work his way back from this injury as he approaches free agency this offseason. In his stead, Cincinnati will likely turn to Mitchell Wilcox to step up as the team's No. 2 tight end behind Hayden Hurst.