Second straight multi-catch outing

Erickson caught both of his targets, accumulating 35 receiving yards during Sunday's 26-18 loss to the Browns.

Analysis: The third-year man out of Wisconsin has 58 receiving yards over the past two weeks, more than he's racked up in any two-game span since Weeks 11 and 12 of last season. Usually a full-time special teams ace, Erickson has garnered seven targets in the past two games, a vast increase compared to his typical passing game involvement (1.5 targets per contest entering Sunday). Erickson also had a 33-yard kick return Sunday that helped spark Cincinnati's first scoring drive of the afternoon (a field…read more

Targeted five times

Erickson caught three of five targets for 23 yards during Sunday's 30-14 win over the Raiders.

Analysis: Erickson experienced an uptick in usage after teammate Tyler Boyd exited the game with a knee injury. He tied for the team lead in targets, equaling his season high in catches while finishing one yard shy of his personal best in that category. Erickson could see more targets next week against the Browns if Boyd is forced to miss out, but the latter downplayed the severity of his injury after the game.

Tallies 14 yards in loss

Erickson had a 14-yard run during Sunday's 26-21 loss to the Chargers.

Analysis: The 14 total yards were the most Erickson has picked up since Week 5. The Wisconsin product has been targeted just twice, gaining two receiving yards, over his past five games. Cincinnati is bottoming out with seven losses in the last eight games, the past two with backup Jeff Driskel at quarterback. A rebound is unlikely against a Raiders defense ranked in the top half of the league in passing, surrendering just 253 yards per game.

One token catch

Erickson had one catch on his lone target for two yards in Sunday's loss to the Broncos.

Analysis: Erickson barely saw the field when the Bengals had the ball, seeing just five snaps on offense.

Shut out again

Erickson didn't have any catches in Sunday's loss to the Ravens and was targeted just once.

Analysis: For a while, it appeared that Erickson had an opportunity to get more targets with A.J. Green out, but instead, those targets have flowed elsewhere. Erickson was on the field for only nine offensive snaps.

Shut out in loss to Saints

Erickson was not targeted in the passing game in Sunday's loss to the Saints. He did have five kick returns for 110 yards.

Analysis: There was some speculation that Erickson might be more active in the passing game with A.J. Green out, but it didn't work out that way, though the Bengals ran hardly any plays in the blowout loss.

Just one catch

Erickson was held to one catch for five yards on four targets in Sunday's win over the Bucs. He was on the field for 50 offensive snaps.

Analysis: Erickson picked up a start in place of the injured John Ross, but instead of lining up in the slot he was outside more often, leaving Tyler Boyd to carve up the Bucs from the slot instead.

Draws start Week 8

Erickson will draw the start in the slot Week 8 against Tampa Bay, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Analysis: Erickson is typically better known for his role on special teams as a return man, as he has yet to surpass three targets in a single game this season. With John Ross (groin) inactive, however, he'll draw the start and could see added looks behind the likes of top receiving options A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd. Even with a very favorable matchup -- Tampa Bay allows the second-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers in PPR formats -- Erickson is a bit of a risky fantasy play.

Quiet in passing game

Erickson had just one catch that lost a yard on two targets in Sunday night's loss to the Chiefs.

Analysis: Andy Dalton almost exclusively targeted A.J. Green in the first half and the team had a number of three-and-outs, thus limiting Erickson's opportunities. He also had 65 yards in kickoff returns.

Snags two passes

Erickson caught two of three targets for eight yards during Sunday's 28-21 loss to Pittsburgh.

Analysis: Erickson has now seen three targets in each of the past two games following just two in the first month of the season. The targets coincide with the absence of tight ends Tyler Eifert (ankle) and Tyler Kroft (foot), the former ending up on injured reserve. With a thinner tight end group, down-the-roster receivers such as Erickson become more valuable. Erickson has converted his targets into a measly 6.7-yards-per-catch average thus far this season but takes on a Kansas City defense Sunday that…read more

Three catches against Dolphins

Erickson had three catches for 24 yards in the Bengals' win over the Dolphins. He also had 19 yards in punt returns.

Analysis: Erickson had more offensive snaps this week with John Ross out. One of the punt returns drew a big personal foul against the Dolphins that helped set up a scoring drive in the third quarter.

Could act as No. 3 back

Erickson could serve as the Bengals' No. 3 running back behind Joe Mixon and Mark Walton in Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Richard Skinner of Local 12 Cincinnati reports.

Analysis: Beyond Mixon and Walton, Thomas Rawls is the only other healthy running back on the 53-man roster with Giovani Bernard (knee) set to miss the next 2-to-4 weeks, but the limited value Rawls provides on special teams means he could be destined for an inactive status in Week 5. If that's the case, Erickson would likely be available as an emergency option out of the backfield, but it's still expected that his greater impact on offense would come out wide. With John Ross (groin) ruled out for the…read more

Ranks third among wideouts in snap share

Erickson played 36 of a possible 73 offensive snaps (49 percent) and finished with one catch for eight yards on two targets in Sunday's 37-36 win over the Falcons.

Analysis: Erickson had logged just eight offensive snaps in the Bengals' first three contests, but he saw an enhanced role in three-wideout sets while John Ross nursed an apparent hamstring or groin injury. The added workload didn't translate to many looks for Erickson, who also benefited from No. 1 tight end Tyler Eifert's early departure due to a fractured ankle. Ross' availability for the Week 5 matchup with Miami will likely hold significant weight in how extensively Erickson is used, but even if…read more

Signs contract extension

Erickson signed a two-year contract extension Saturday, the Bengals' official site reports.

Analysis: Erickson is now signed with the Bengals through the 2020 season. The 25-year-old accumulated 663 kick return yards and 278 punt return yards in 2017, in addition to logging 12 catches for 180 yards and a touchdown. Erickson stands to resume his role as Cincinnati's top return man this season, but could see less work in three-wideout sets with John Ross posed for increased snaps.

Erickson didn't factor in the passing game in the Bengals' Week 17 win over the Ravens, but was once again their primary return man.

Analysis: For the season, Erickson had 12 catches for 180 yards and a touchdown. He also had 663 kick return yards and 278 punt return yards. He'll likely resume as the Bengals' top return man in 2018.

Erickson (ankle) doesn't appear on the ahead of Sunday's game against the Ravens.

Analysis: Erickson completely missed practice Wednesday, only to return Thursday as a limited participant and then Friday as a full one. Now cleared to play in the season finale, the Wisconsin product should remain good for a handful of offensive snaps in addition to his role as the Bengals' primary return man on both punts and kickoffs.

Erickson (ankle) was a limited participant at the Bengals' practice Thursday.

Analysis: Erickson started the week not practicing but appears to be progressing towards being available for Sunday's regular-season finale. The 25-year-old's participation at Friday's practice session should provide a better idea of his status for Week 17.

Erickson was sidelined during Wednesday's practice with an ankle injury, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Analysis: For the first time all season, Erickson didn't have a role on offense Week 16 against the Lions, with all 10 of his snaps coming on special teams during the victory. It appears Erickson may have gotten banged up along the way, but if he's upgraded to a full participant in practice by week's end, he'll be in little danger of missing the season finale Sunday against the Ravens.