Drew Sample

Cincinnati Bengals
Tight End #89

Drew Sample News

Bengals Sign Drew Sample To Three-Year Extension

The Cincinnati Bengals re-signed tight end Drew Sample to a three-year, $10.5 million contract extension on Monday, according to a source. Sample will receive $3.5 million in 2024. In his fifth year with the Bengals in 2023, Sample had 22 catches on 27 targets for 163 yards and a career-high two touchdowns in 17 games (10 starts). Tanner Hudson, Mitchell Wilcox and Irv Smith Jr. are all free agents, but one or more of them could be retained or the Bengals could add competition at the position through the NFL draft. The 27-year-old Sample has accumulated just 80 receptions (103 targets) for 621 yards and three touchdowns in his five years in the NFL with Cincy, so it would be unrealistic to expect the Bengals to utilize him as their unquestioned No. 1 pass-catching TE in 2024.

Mar 11, 2024 4:49 PM EST

Drew Sample Active Against Vikings

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Drew Sample (illness) is officially active for the Week 15 game on Saturday against the Minnesota Vikings despite being a late addition to the injury report on Friday and being given a questionable tag. The 27-year-old might be a little under the weather, but he will be active and continue in a committee role at the tight end position for the Bengals alongside Irv Smith Jr., Tanner Hudson and Mitchell Wilcox. Sample played a season-high 67 percent of the offensive snaps in the Week 14 win over the Indianapolis Colts, but it led to only two receptions for four yards. It's hard for fantasy managers to really trust any of Cincy's tight ends in this committee, especially with quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist) done for the year. Sample has only 14 receptions for 97 yards and two touchdowns on the year in 13 games played.

Dec 16, 2023 12:06 PM EST

Drew Sample Added To Injury Report, Questionable For Saturday

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Drew Sample (illness) has been added to the Week 15 injury report and is now questionable to play on Saturday against the Minnesota Vikings. Sample hasn't been on the fantasy radar in 2023 with only 14 catches on 17 targets for 97 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games played. If he's still not feeling good on Saturday and is held out, it would mean slightly more playing time for Tanner Hudson, Irv Smith Jr. and Mitchell Wilcox at the tight end position for the Bengals. Hudson only played 23 percent of the offensive snaps in the Week 14 win over the Indianapolis Colts but had two catches for 21 yards and his first touchdown of the year. Smith hasn't caught a pass since Week 12 and played just 13 percent of the snaps last weekend. Fantasy managers can probably find better streaming options than Hudson and Smith in Week 15.

Dec 15, 2023 2:31 PM EST

Drew Sample Expected To Play In Week 13

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Drew Sample (foot) was able to get through a full practice session on Thursday. It appears both Sample and Tanner Hudson (finger) should be available for the Week 13 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Sample hauled in his lone target for an 11-yard touchdown during last week's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Between the two, Hudson is the better fantasy option, but neither are anything more than a desperation option in PPR formats.

Nov 30, 2023 9:39 PM EST

Placed on IR

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

Oct 3, 2022 7:34 AM EST

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 reprots.

Sep 30, 2022 9:00 AM EST

Could be out for season

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.

Sep 21, 2022 6:35 PM EST

Out a few months following surgery

Coach Zac Taylor said Tuesday that Sample (knee) will have surgery soon and be out a few months, Marisa Contipelli of the Bengals' official site reports.

Sep 21, 2022 10:15 AM EST

Won't return Sunday

Sample has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Cowboys due to a right knee injury.

Sep 18, 2022 2:52 PM EST

Full participant Wednesday

Sample (ankle) was a full participant during Wednesday's practice.

Sep 7, 2022 1:59 PM EST

Returns to practice Wednesday

Sample (knee) returned to practice Wednesday, Paul Dehner and Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.

Sep 2, 2022 11:36 AM EST

Wearing brace after knee injury

Sample sported a brace on his leg and was walking with a crutch Friday after being carted off the field due to a knee injury in Thursday's practice, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Aug 5, 2022 9:52 AM EST

Departs practice early

Sample was carted off the Bengals' practice field Thursday after having his left leg evaluated by the team's training staff, Marisa Contipelli of the Bengals' official site reports.

Aug 4, 2022 1:36 PM EST