The Bengals announced Friday they will not tender Wilcox, making the tight end an unrestricted free agent, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Wilcox appeared in 16 regular-season contests and caught 17 of 18 targets for 139 yards and one touchdown. The majority of his production (nine receptions for 69 yards and a score) came in Weeks 15 and 16, when Hayden Hurst was sidelined due to injury. The undrafted tight end out of South Florida should have some interest as a free agent, but he may have to settle for another backup role.
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Bengals' Mitchell Wilcox: Moves back to No. 2 TE role
Rotowire
Wilcox played 27 of the Bengals' 65 snaps on offense and went without a target in Sunday's 27-16 win over the Ravens.
Hayden Hurst settled back in as Cincinnati's top tight end in his return from a three-game absence, resulting in Wilcox settling for a downturn in playing time as the No. 2 option at the position. While Hurst was sidelined, Wilcox offered only marginal fantasy value, as he cobbled together a 10-79-1 receiving line on 11 targets during that three-game stretch.
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Bengals' Mitchell Wilcox: Season-high six catches
Rotowire
Wilcox had six catches for 35 yards in the Bengals' win over the Patriots on Saturday.
Wilcox entered the game with only 11 catches on the season, but he was active early in place of Hayden Hurst (calf) this week, as the Bengals connected on a number of early short passes. Hurst was making progress in practice this week before missing a third consecutive game - we'll see if he's available next Monday against Buffalo, or whether Wilcox will get a fourth start at tight end.
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Bengals' Mitchell Wilcox: Set for another start
Rotowire
With Hayden Hurst (calf) having been downgraded to out, Wilcox is in line to start at tight end for the Bengals in Saturday's game against the Patriots, Michael Niziolek of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
It will be the third straight start for Wilcox, who caught all three of his targets for 34 yards and a TD in this past Sunday's 34-23 win over the Buccaneers while handling a 91 percent snap share. Though the 26-year-old isn't a high-percentage fantasy option in Week 16, Wilcox does offer an option to those needing to replace Hurst or otherwise seeking short-term TE help.
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Bengals' Mitchell Wilcox: One catch on two targets
Rotowire
Wilcox had one catch on two targets for 10 yards in Sunday's win over the Browns.
Wilcox provided more value with his run-blocking than with his receiving skills, netting those two targets on 48 snaps while filling in for the injured Hayden Hurst. Hurst remains week-to-week, so Wilcox could be in line for another start this Sunday against the Bucs.
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Bengals' Mitchell Wilcox: Busy role on tap
Rotowire
Wilcox had one catch for 13 yards on his only target in Sunday's win over Kansas City. He played 47 offensive snaps, which is the most he's played all season, both in raw number and as a percentage of the team's snaps.
He will maintain a similar role in Week 14 with Hayden Hurst unlikely to play. That said, Wilcox probably won't have a significant role in the passing game, as he's had no more than two targets in any game this season.
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Bengals' Mitchell Wilcox: Handling limited role behind Hurst
Rotowire
Wilcox played 15 of the Bengals' 50 snaps on offense in Monday's 32-13 loss to the Browns, hauling in his lone target for a three-yard gain.
Wilcox has suited up for all eight of the Bengals' games this season, but his role on offense has been muted while he's served as the No. 2 tight end behind starter Hayden Hurst. The 25-year-old has cleared 50 percent of the Bengals' offensive snaps on just two occasions and has cobbled together a modest 6-47-0 receiving line on the campaign.
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Bengals' Mitchell Wilcox: Returns to practice Monday
Rotowire
Wilcox (ankle) practiced Monday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Wilcox suffered a left ankle injury during the team's first preseason game and has been rehabbing since. The extent of his participation in practice remains to be seen, but even if it was in a limited fashion, it's still an upgrade from the rehab field. Drew Sample (shoulder) also returned to padded practices recently, so both tight ends could be available for a backup role behind newcomer Hayden Hurst during Sunday's season-opening matchup against the Steelers.
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Bengals' Mitchell Wilcox: Won't return Friday
Rotowire
Wilcox was ruled out for the remainder of Friday's preseason matchup against Arizona after suffering a left ankle injury.
Wilcox figured to see heavy usage before having his left ankle rolled up on in Friday's game as fellow backup Drew Sample was already sidelined due to a knee injury. With Wilcox now out as well, Thaddeus Moss and Scotty Washington should see increased snaps against the Cardinals.
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Bengals' Mitchell Wilcox: Heading to Cincy
Rotowire
Wilcox signed with the Bengals as an undrafted free agent, per the NFL's official transaction log.
Wilcox wasn't selected over the course of the 2020 NFL Draft after recording 28 catches for 350 yards and five touchdowns in his senior year at South Florida. The 23-year-old figures to be competing for a depth spot at tight end during training camp.
