The Cincinnati Bengals are attempting to make a late playoff push now that their offense is fully healthy for the first time since the start of the season. Joe Burrow is back under center, and he will have his full complement of playmakers on the field alongside him. The Bengals may just be 4-8, but they have proven that, with Burrow leading the way, they are a completely different team.
Drama always seems to find its way to Cincinnati, and sure enough, just when it seemed like everything was going well, a new issue popped up for the team to deal with. On Saturday night, second-year wide receiver Jermaine Burton was curiously ruled out for the team’s upcoming contest against the Buffalo Bills for non-injury reasons, and on Sunday morning, the reason for his absence was revealed.
Bengals Suspend Jermaine Burton for Week 14 Contest vs. Bills
When fully healthy, Cincinnati has one of the most lethal offensive units in the NFL. We’ve already mentioned Burrow at quarterback, but the guys making plays around him are stars too. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are arguably the top wide receiver duo in the league, and Chase Brown has proven himself to be a solid dual-threat running back. Add in secondary playmakers like wide receiver Andrei Iosivas and tight end Mike Gesicki, and it’s clearly a very strong group.
One guy the Bengals were hoping would take a step forward this season is Burton, who was selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Burton did not meet expectations as a rookie, as he caught just four passes for 107 yards during his limited time on the field. Things have gone even worse for him in 2025, as he has yet to even take the field this season, despite being healthy.
Chances are, Burton would have been a healthy scratch for this game one way or another, but Cincinnati caught attention when it ruled out the young pass catcher on Saturday night. It seemed like there was more to this decision, and sure enough, the team announced that Burton had been suspended for the team’s upcoming game.
“The Bengals have suspended WR Jermaine Burton for today’s game at Buffalo, the team announced. Burton will be listed as inactive for the game,” Tom Pelissero of NFL Network shared in a post on X.
Jermaine Burton’s Time with the Bengals Could Be Coming to an End
GettyThe Bengals revealed that they have suspended wide receiver Jermaine Burton for their clash against the Bills
While the specific reason for Burton’s suspension is unknown, it’s clear the team isn’t happy with him. Investing a third-round pick on a player indicates a team feels strongly about them, but to this point, Burton has been a complete wash for Cincy, and with a suspension in the books now, it’s fair to assume his time with the team could be coming to an end.
In the meantime, the Bengals are going to focus on a tough matchup against the Bills in Week 14. Cincinnati essentially has to win out in order to have a shot at making the playoffs, and while it did take down the Baltimore Ravens in Week 13, Buffalo presents an even bigger challenge this weekend. Kickoff for this wildly important game is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon.
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