Who Should I Start? Drew Sample or Andrew Beck

Monday, March 11, 4:49 PM

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.

Wednesday, July 17, 8:56 PM

The Houston Texans placed fullback Andrew Beck (calf), cornerback D'Angelo Ross (undisclosed) and linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips (shoulder) on the Physically Unable to Perform list on Wednesday, meaning they will not be ready to take part in the start of training camp next week. Beck strained his calf earlier this offseason and now won't be able to take part in practices to kick off the summer, but it doesn't necessarily mean he won't be ready for Week 1 of the regular season this fall. With Beck sidelined for the start of camp, Troy Hairston will get more repetitions as the club's fullback. The 28-year-old Beck played in 15 games (12 starts) in his first year with the Texans in 2023 and had 11 receptions for 55 yards and two touchdowns while adding five rushing attempts for three yards and another TD. He is not on the fantasy radar.