Week 5 looks like the right moment for the Bengals to lean back into Cashius Howell.
The rookie second-round pick out of Texas A&M arrived with plenty of buzz as part of what many believed was an excellent 2026 NFL Draft class, but his usage has slipped over Cincinnati’s last two losses. That’s a sharp turn after an encouraging start, and it has raised a simple question: why isn’t he on the field more?
Howell has looked more impactful than Shemar Stewart has at any point in his young career, and the argument gets even louder when he’s stacked against Myles Murphy. The Bengals, though, appear reluctant to play Howell over Murphy, and that’s hard to square when the goal is to put the best players on the field.
Murphy’s case is easy enough to explain. He’s in a contract year after the Bengals declined his fifth-year option, and he did show signs late in 2025, even if that came on a bad defense.
His size and experience may still be carrying weight inside the building. But the production hasn’t matched the role.
Cincinnati is allowing 4.5 yards per carry, which is a rough number to carry on a line featuring Dexter Lawrence drawing so much attention. Murphy hasn’t helped much there.
PFF ranks him 107th among 110 qualifying edge defenders against the run. And as a pass rusher, the résumé still isn’t overwhelming.
He has speed to power, maybe a counter or two, and not a whole lot more. Fans were happy with his 5.5 sacks last season, but that number hardly turns him into a force.
Howell, meanwhile, has seen his workload shrink. He played 41 snaps in Week 2, 25 in Week 3, and then just 17 in Sunday’s loss to the Jaguars. That’s a steep drop for a rookie who already looks ready for a bigger piece of the defense.
The matchup with the Dolphins gives Cincinnati a clean chance to correct that. Miami comes in winless and averaging 11.5 points per game, which should make this the kind of game where the Bengals can avoid overextending key starters like Boye Mafe and Murphy while still controlling the outcome. It also gives the defense a chance to feature Howell in the kind of spots where his quicker pressure and deeper pass-rush bag can matter most.
That matters even more against a mobile quarterback like Malik Willis, who can make a defense pay if he breaks the pocket. If Joe Burrow and the offense do their job and force Miami into obvious passing situations, that should open the door for Al Golden and the staff to let Howell hunt.
And that’s the bigger point here. This isn’t just about one game plan.
Giving Howell more snaps against Miami would play to Cincinnati’s strengths, help the pass rush, and give the rookie a longer look before the bye. It would also speed up his development and give the Bengals a better read on how much of a role he should have as the season moves on.
In Other News...
Bengals Have A Personal Mike Ditka Connection Fans May Not Know
Mike Ditkas death stirred memories around the league this week, and for Bengals fans, the reaction carried a personal note through a current player with a strong feel for the old-school game. Ditka, a Hall of Fame tight end, coach and broadcaster, left a towering legacy as one of footballs most recognizable figures, from his playing days to the 1985 Bears team that became part of NFL lore.
The Bengals connection surfaced through Ted Karras, who remembered Ditka after hearing the news. It was the kind of reminder that the NFLs past is never all that far away, especially when a player whose influence stretched across generations still resonates with someone on a current Cincinnati roster. [Read more 🡒]
JaMarr Chase Still Has One Big Week 5 Hurdle
JaMarr Chases Week 5 outlook has moved in the right direction, and for the Bengals that alone is a welcome development after a week of watching the injury report closely. Chase was listed as questionable along with Justin Jefferson, but his progress in practice has been enough to keep optimism alive, especially with other notable receivers around the league already being ruled out or, in some cases, cleared to play.
The remaining wait now centers on the final piece of the process, and it is the sort of detail that can shape Sunday availability even after practice has gone well. Cincinnati has reason to feel better about where this is headed, but until that last step is completed, Chase still has one more hurdle to clear before the Bengals can count on having him back in the lineup. [Read more 🡒]
Nico Collins Carries New Week 5 Pressure For Texans Fans
With the first bye week arriving, fantasy managers are already sorting through replacement options and trying to squeeze value out of every matchup. The lineup advice for this slate leans on recent usage, injury updates and game script, with players like Jameis Winston and Kyle Monangai getting attention because their roles and opponents line up well for Week 5 decisions.
For Cincinnati fans, the most relevant nugget sits on the other side of that DFS conversation, where Brown is drawing notice as a running back play with a favorable setup against Miami. The Dolphins have been a soft spot for backs all season, and the case for Brown rests on volume, scoring chances and the kind of offensive environment that can turn a steady workload into a big fantasy day. The only real question is how aggressive managers want to get in a spot that looks inviting, but still leaves room for one more surprise. [Read more 🡒]