The Cincinnati Bengals are facing a challenge in Week 10 as they might be without their two primary wide receivers.
Tee Higgins has been officially ruled out due to a hamstring injury, and Ja’Marr Chase is questionable with a back injury. In light of this, the Bengals will be relying on the experience of eight-year veteran Tyler Boyd.
Tyler Boyd, selected by the Bengals in the 2nd round, 55th overall in the 2016 NFL Draft, has been a consistent presence for the team.
In his rookie season, Boyd, positioned as the third receiver behind A.J. Green and Brandon LaFell, recorded 54 receptions for 603 yards and one touchdown.
Despite missing several games due to coaches’ decisions and a knee sprain, Boyd made a significant impact, representing 47% of offensive snaps.
Boyd’s breakout occurred in his third season, filling the void left by an injury to A.J. Green. In 2018, he notched 76 receptions for 1,028 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Bengals recognized his contribution, securing him with a 4-year, $43 million contract extension before the 2019 season.
Continuing to lead the team in receiving in 2019, Boyd accumulated 90 receptions for 1,046 yards and five touchdowns.
However, with the drafting of Tee Higgins in 2020 and Ja’Marr Chase in 2021, Boyd transitioned from the number-one to the number-three receiver.
Despite this shift, he remained a reliable target, contributing 67 receptions for 828 yards and five touchdowns in the 2022 season.
Facing challenges like a dislocated finger and a thigh injury in 2022, Boyd demonstrated resilience, missing minimal game time. In the ongoing 2023 season, he has already secured 36 receptions for 300 yards and two touchdowns.
With Tee Higgins and possibly Ja’Marr Chase unavailable in Week 10, quarterback Joe Burrow is likely to target Boyd more.
Boyd, though currently the third talented wide receiver on the team, is far from being considered washed up. As the 2024 offseason approaches, many teams are expected to express interest in acquiring Tyler Boyd.
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