Who Should I Start? Jermaine Burton or Dont'e Thornton Jr.

Friday, November 28, 10:18 PM

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that wide receiver Jermaine Burton (ankle) remains week-to-week with an ankle injury, according to ESPN's Ben Baby. Burton has not played at all for the Bengals in 2025, and he doesn't seem particularly close to making his season debut for the team's Week 14 tilt against the Buffalo Bills next Sunday. Even if the 24-year-old pass-catcher can return at some point before the end of the season, he will be hard-pressed to jump into a key role in Cincy's receiving corps. The former third-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft out of Alabama played in 14 games (one start) in his rookie campaign, catching only four of 14 targets for 107 receiving yards and no touchdowns. Character concerns caused him to drop in the draft and followed him into Year 1 in the NFL. Burton reportedly made strides with his maturity in the offseason, but his health hasn't cooperated in 2025.

Friday, December 5, 8:30 PM

Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (concussion) did not practice all week and has officially been ruled out for the Week 14 contest this Sunday against the division-rival Denver Broncos, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Thornton will miss at least one game with the concussion that he suffered in last Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The fourth-round pick out of Tennessee has had a forgettable first year in the league with eight catches on 25 targets (28% success rate) for 123 yards and no touchdowns in 11 games (seven starts). In his defense, the Raiders' offense has stalled more often than not, limiting his opportunities in a depth role. Thornton hasn't had more than one catch in a game this year since Sept. 21 against the Commanders. With Thornton out this weekend, it will give fellow rookie Jack Bech a chance for more playing time, although we aren't expecting much from him against the Broncos' stout defense.