Colbie Young Injury Update From Zac Taylor Thins Bengals WR Room Before Jaguars Game

The Cincinnati Bengals’ wide receiver room doesn’t seem to catch a break. After losing Andrei Iosivas to the injured reserve last week, offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher got some bad news about Colbie Young.

The rookie wideout suffered a knee injury on a two-yard reception in the first quarter of Cincinnati’s Week 3 loss to the Steelers. Young was brought down by Pittsburgh safety Jaquan Brisker on the opening snap. He limped off the field and was ruled out shortly after halftime.

Bengals coach Zac Taylor addressed Young’s situation on Monday as the team gears up for the Week 4 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“I think Colbie will miss this week,” Taylor said. “We’ll gather more information and see how long that is. He’s the only one right now I’d rule out for this week.”

“We’ll gather more information. Hopeful that it’s not going to be,” Taylor said about whether Young’s knee issue could sideline him for a long time.

Young was expected to step up in Iosivas’ absence. However, the 2026 fourth-round pick sustained a blow himself. After getting no targets in Week 1, the rookie WR has recorded just two receptions for nine yards in two games.

Cincinnati’s Depleted WR Room behind Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase

Young’s absence creates another problem for Cincinnati’s offense. The Bengals are already without WR3 Andrei Iosivas, who is sidelined with a fractured thumb suffered during the Week 2 win over the Houston Texans.

While Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are Joe Burrow’s primary weapons, Cincinnati also needs other receivers to help stretch defenses. With Young out, the Bengals have four healthy wide receivers on the active roster in Chase, Higgins, Dohnte Meyers, and Ke’Shawn Williams.

Meyers is now expected to take on a bigger role as the team’s main depth option outside. He has recorded four receptions for 47 yards through three games. Ke’Shawn Williams could also see some offensive snaps next week.

What’s Next for the Bengals?

Cincinnati’s depleted wide receiver room could force offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher to use more two tight-end sets against the Jaguars next week. The Bengals often line up Mike Gesicki as a big slot receiver alongside blocking tight end Drew Sample.

The Bengals used Gesicki in the passing game against the Steelers. The move paid off as he caught a 25-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to give the Bengals the lead. Taylor and Pitcher might turn to more two-tight end sets to protect Joe Burrow against Jacksonville’s pass rush while giving their thin wide receiver group some help.