Cincinnati Bengals

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Atlanta Falcons are signing star safety Jessie Bates III. The deal is worth $64.02 million over four seasons. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Bates has been one of the best safeties in the NFL over the last few seasons, and it was no secret he was on his way out of Cincinnati. The Falcons add a player with multiple 100-tackle seasons and 14 interceptions in five years. He pairs up with CB AJ Terrell to make up a talented and young secondary as the Falcons continue to spend big in free agency.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Carolina Panthers are signing S Vonn Bell. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Bell is entering his eighth season in the NFL and joining the third team of his career. In 2022, the veteran safety had 77 tackles along with career-high marks in passes defended and interceptions with eight and four, respectively. Bell adds versatility alongside DB Jeremy Chinn and adds a veteran presence on a young defense.

Germaine Pratt and the Bengals have agreed to terms on a three-year, $21 million contract. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Pratt has spent the first four years of his career with the Bengals. In 2022, Pratt tallied one sack, 99 tackles, and one forced fumble in 15 games. The Bengals retain a key piece to their defense as they look to continue being a top team in the AFC.

The Bengals and safety Michael Thomas have agreed to terms on a one-year contract for 2023. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: While the terms of the deal were not made available yet, the Bengals are bringing back an important veteran presence in their secondary. Thomas suited up in 12 games for the Bengals last season and should continue to see time at safety in 2023.

The Bengals have signed Jalen Davis to a two-year contract. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Davis will enter his fourth season with the Bengals in 2023. The 27-year-old suited up in 13 games last season and provides the Bengals with depth at cornerback.

The Bengals and Joe Bachie have agreed on a one-year deal. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Bachie will enter his third season with the Bengals in 2023. In 19 games over two seasons, the 25-year-old linebacker has 40 tackles.

According to ESPN’s Ben Baby, TE Hayden Hurst is good to go for the Cincinnati Bengals against the Kansas City Chiefs. (Source: Ben Baby on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Hurst (calf) was a midweek addition to the Bengals’ injury report, logging a limited practice Thursday and a full practice Friday. Hurst, who had five catches and a touchdown in the divisional round, is good to go for a chance at another Super Bowl berth for Cincinnati. Hurst has been solid all season for the Bengals and is always a threat to score in the red zone, even if he had just two scores in the regular season.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard is inactive for Monday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills. (Source: Bengals.com)

Fantasy Impact: Hubbard will miss another contest for the Bengals due to a calf injury. Cam Sample will continue to play an everydown role with Joseph Assai and the banged-up Trey Hendrickson splitting snaps on the other side. Assai is the preferred IDP option for those who were holding out hope that Hubbard would be active.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, OT La'el Collins is being placed on injured reserve by the Cincinnati Bengals, ending his season. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Collins suffered a torn ACL and MCL, ending his season and putting his availability next year in question. Collins was an offseason acquisition for the Bengals and started for the team at tackle. OT Hakeem Adeniji could be in line to start for the Bengals down the road.

The Cincinnati Bengals DST notched four sacks and forced a turnover in a 22-18 win over the Patriots in Week 16.

Fantasy Impact: Cincinnati held the Pats to just 285 yards of total offense in the win. They were led by Logan Wilson, who had seven tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. Cincinnati has a tough test on tap as they will face the Bills in Week 17.

Evan McPherson made one of his two field goals and added an extra point in a 22-18 win over New England in Week 16.

Fantasy Impact: McPherson struggled with his accuracy, missing a field goal and an extra point in the close win. His lone field goal came from 28 yards out. McPherson will be a top-12 fantasy kicker against the Bills in Week 17.

Mitchell Wilcox caught all six of his targets for 35 yards in a 22-18 win over the Patriots in Week 16.

Fantasy Impact: Wilcox finished third on the team in targets on an afternoon where Joe Burrow attempted 52 passes. Wilcox has taken advantage of the injury to Hayden Hurst, having caught nine balls for 69 yards and a touchdown over his past two games. If Hurst misses Week 17, Wilcox will be a high-end TE3 against the Bills.

Trenton Irwin caught three of his four targets for 45 yards and two touchdowns in a 22-18 win over the Patriots in Week 16.

Fantasy Impact: Irwin turned in one of the more unexpected fantasy performances of the week, hauling in two of Joe Burrow's three TD passes. The veteran wideout has caught three touchdowns in his past three contests and has four on the year. Despite his Week 16 success, Irwin will be a risky fantasy play in Week 17 against Buffalo.

Tyler Boyd caught three of his four targets for 21 yards in a 22-18 win over New England in Week 16.

Fantasy Impact: Boyd left the game briefly with the same nagging finger injury that cost him some time two weeks ago. He was initially called questionable to return but he was able to return to action. Boyd has been outproduced by Trenton Irwin of late, which isn't a good sign for his fantasy outlook in Week 17 against the Bills.

Ja'Marr Chase caught eight of his 11 targets for 79 yards in a 22-18 win over the Patriots in Week 16.

Fantasy Impact: Chase led the team in targets and tied for first in catches but was held out of the end zone despite Joe Burrow tossing three touchdowns. The second-year wideout has now drawn 39 targets in his past three games. Chase will be a WR1 in Week 17 against Buffalo.

Tee Higgins caught eight of his nine targets for 128 yards and a touchdown in a 22-18 win over the Patriots in Week 16.

Fantasy Impact: Higgins led the Bengals in receiving yards despite finishing second in targets. The veteran wideout has certainly bounced back from his goose egg two weeks ago, having caught a touchdown in each of his past two contests. Higgins will be a high-end WR2 in Week 17 against Buffalo.

Samaje Perine carried the ball four times for three yards and added three receptions for 19 yards in a 22-18 win over the Patriots in Week 16.

Fantasy Impact: Perine was quiet on an afternoon where Joe Mixon racked up 23 touches. Perine has only handled 20 touches over his past three contests. He will not be a recommended fantasy option against the Bills in Week 17.

Joe Mixon carried the ball 16 times for 65 yards while adding 43 yards on seven catches in a 22-18 win over the Patriots in Week 16.

Fantasy Impact: Mixon was held out of the end zone for the fourth straight game but he made up for it with his work in the passing game. Already at career-highs in receptions and receiving yards through 13 games, Mixon will be a low-end RB1 in Week 17 against the Bills.

Joe Burrow completed 40 of his 52 passes for 375 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions while adding five yards on four carries in a 22-18 win over the Patriots in Week 16.

Fantasy Impact: Burrow found Trenton Irwin for two touchdowns while his third went to Tee Higgins in the win. It was a busy afternoon for the third-year QB, who attempted his most passes since he threw 53 times against the Steelers in Week 1. Burrow will be a solid QB1 in Week 17 against the Bills.

Trey Hendrickson told reporters his wrist is broken, but "multiple doctors" told him it can't get worse, which is why he's playing through it. (Source: Paul Dehner Jr. on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: "At this point in the season we have spent more time together than we have with our family and we are a family," Hendrickson said. "They would lay it on the line for me and there are guys whose livelihoods are at stake." He will be playing with a cast on his wrist. His presence alone will make a huge difference for the Bengals pass rush.