Sample failed to draw a single target in Sunday's 41-22 loss to the Chargers.

EDGE Analysis

Sample was on the field for 26 of the Bengals' 76 offensive snaps in the contest, while starting tight end C.J. Uzomah played 66 snaps. Sample offers little fantasy value as a No. 2 tight end, as the 25-year-old typically serves as the blocker on the rare occasions he's on the field.

Sample failed to draw a target in Sunday's 41-10 win over the Steelers.

EDGE Analysis

Sample played 39 of the Bengals' 68 offensive snaps, just six fewer than starting tight end C.J. Uzomah. The 25-year-old usually isn't a big part of the Cincinnati passing attack even in competitive contests or in games when the Bengals are in catchup mode, but Sample's involvement was even more muted than normal with quarterback Joe Burrow attempting just 24 passes -- his second-fewest of the season -- in the blowout win. Instead, Joe Mixon and the running game was the focal point of the team's offense Week 12.

Sample logged three receptions for 36 yards on three targets Sunday in the Bengals' 41-16 loss to the Browns.

EDGE Analysis

After falling behind by two touchdowns at halftime and by 24 points after three quarters, the Bengals were forced to abandon the run. As a result, Sample and fellow tight end C.J. Uzomah (five targets) had fewer blocking responsibilities and were more involved as route runners than usual. The four targets were a season-high total for Sample, who hadn't drawn a look in the passing game in either of the Bengals' prior two contests.

Sample secured two of four targets for nine yards in Sunday's 25-22 loss to the Packers.

EDGE Analysis

Sample saw his first targets of the season Week 5, after going without a look on any of his 103 offensive snaps through the first four games. The 25-year-old logged 21 of the 67 offensive snaps Sunday, ranking a distant second at the position behind No. 1 tight end C.J. Uzomah (56). Sample is irrelevant for fantasy purposes, but an injury to Uzomah would clear a path to more opportunities within the offense.

Sample enters the season behind C.J. Uzomah on the Bengals' initial depth chart.

EDGE Analysis

Last season in the only game in which Uzomah was healthy, Sample saw action on 24 offensive snaps and received just one target. The Bengals run with an "11" formation as much as anyone in the NFL, so it's possible that Sample's workload will mirror what happened in Week 1 last season more than the workload he received after Uzomah got hurt.

Sample finished the 2020 season with 40 catches for 349 yards and his first NFL touchdown.

EDGE Analysis

While Sample won't be drawing comparisons to Travis Kelce anytime soon, the 2019 second-round pick from the University of Washington did make important strides, taking advantage of the playing time resulting from C.J. Uzomah's season-ending injury.

Sample caught an eight-yard touchdown pass in Sunday's 37-31 win over the Texans.

EDGE Analysis

The 2019 second-round pick has produced some notable games this season with C.J. Uzomah (Achilles) out of the picture, but this was his first trip to the end zone. Sample has now produced a 38-334-1 line on 50 targets this season.

Sample had three catches for 21 yards on four targets in Sunday's loss to the Cowboys.

EDGE Analysis

Sample's activity has picked up the last four weeks, as he's had four or more targets each of those weeks. But that hasn't translated into that much production, as most of those targets have been short check-downs. He still doesn't have a touchdown this season, and his highest yardage total was 52 yards.

Sample secured all seven targets for 49 yards in the Bengals' 19-7 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Sample surprisingly tied Tee Higgins for the team lead in targets while setting the pace in receptions, with slot receiver Tyler Boyd's first-half ejection likely playing a pivotal part in the tight end's elevated role. Sample has had numerous solid efforts during his second season, but Sunday's catch tally tied a career high, while his target total checked in as his second highest of the season. His production is likely to continue fluctuating week to week, but he could enjoy relatively robust volume again in a favorable Week 14 matchup against the Cowboys, especially considering current Bengals quarterbacks Brandon Allen (chest) and Ryan Finley have run conservative attacks thus far in place of Joe Burrow (IR, knee).

Sample caught four passes for 40 yards on five targets, but also coughed up a critical fumble in Sunday's loss to the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

The fumble came in the fourth quarter deep in Bengals territory and ultimately led to the Giants' final field goal, one that would provide their margin of victory in the 19-17 game.