Cincinnati Bengals Announce Inactives Ahead of Week 12 Matchup vs New England Patriots

The Bengals are hoping to improve to 4-7 on the season.

Aug 7, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton (81) and safety Tycen Anderson (26) in the tunnel against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

CINCINNATI — The Bengals are without Ja'Marr Chase for Sunday's game against the Patriots.

That means second-year wide receiver Jermaine Burton will be active, right? Wrong.

Burton is inactive. He hasn't played in a game this season. The Bengals only have four wide receivers active for Sunday's game. They also have four active tight ends: Mike Gesicki, Noah Fant, Drew Sample and Tanner Hudson.

Samaje Perine, Cam Grandy, Trey Hendrickson, Cam Sample and Sean Clifford are also inactive. Clifford will serve as the Bengals' emergency third quarterback behind Joe Flacco and Jake Browning.

Chase is on the NFL's reserve-suspended list. He'll re-join the Bengals' roster on Monday.

The Bengals elevated cornerback Jalen Davis from the practice squad for Sunday's game against the Patriots. Davis, 29, has appeared in 52 career games in his six seasons with the Bengals. He hasn't appeared in a game this season.

By elevating Davis, the Bengals give themselves a true nickel cornerback. That could mean Davis starting alongside DJ Turner II and Dax Hill at cornerback.

Josh Newton, Marco Wilson and DJ Ivey are two other options at cornerback. Cincinnati is 3-7 going into Sunday's game against the Patriots. They've had plenty of issues on defense, but their corners—mostly Turner and Hill—have been a bright spot.

The Bengals have six cornerbacks active for Sunday's game.

The Bengals also elevated running back Gary Brightwell. Brightwell hasn't appeared in a game for the Bengals, but he has plenty of NFL experience. He's appeared in 39 career NFL games.

Brightwell will serve as the Bengals' No. 3 running back behind Chase Brown and Tahj Brooks. Perine is still recovering from a high ankle sprain.

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