The Cincinnati Bengals, already thin at the position, could be without another wide receiver – this time rookie Colbie Young – for the foreseeable future after he exited Week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers early on.
Young was immediately labeled “doubtful” to return, per The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr, and he never re-entered the defeat. Head coach Zac Taylor did not provide an update on his injury status after the game.
“Bengals WR Colbie Young has a knee injury,” Dehner posted on X in reporting the news on September 27. “Bengals WR corps already down Andrei Iosivas (IR, thumb) takes another hit. Even more falls onto Dohnte Meyers now.”
That followed the official update from the team, painting a grim picture of the Bengals’ outlook beyond stars Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Later, the Bengals announced that Young was officially ruled out just ahead of the midpoint in quarter three, adding to the future concern.
Young is a rookie fourth-round pick, taken 140th overall in the 2026 draft by the Bengals.
Bengals Rookie Colbie Young Injures Knee vs. Steelers
“Young’s athletic traits, play strength and ball skills stand out, but missed games have limited his production. Teams will need to examine his 2024 arrest and suspension,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote before the draft.
“He uses his size, muscle and catch radius to beat cornerbacks in tight quarters and above the rim. His speed and separation are average, so he’ll likely see a higher number of contested battles. His route-running needs work, but he’s a nightmare for cornerbacks to bring down after the catch. Young has talent to work with and — provided teams are comfortable after their character evaluation — has a chance to be more productive in the pros.”
The 6-foot-4, 218-pound Young played in each of the Bengals’ first two games this season, but recorded his first reception in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals did not elevate either of Jordan Moore or Noah Thomas to the game-day roster for Week 4.
The Bengals also have Ke’Shawn Williams, who they made active for Week 3 amid their previous injuries at the position.
Bengals Fall to Rival Steelers in Week 3
Cincinnati ended up losing a tight one to the rival Steelers in Week 3, by a score of 30-27.
It wasn’t a bad performance by Joe Burrow, who threw for 282 yards and 3 touchdowns, but the quarterback was more concerned about mistakes after the loss.
“Self-inflicted. Just like last week with the penalties, we just can’t shoot ourselves in the foot like that,” Burrow voiced in the Bengals postgame press conference. “You can’t win in this league when you do that. It’s really hard. It’s really hard. We could have overcome it, but it’s really hard to win like that.”
Taylor had a similar message after the game.
“All three phases had a chance to win that game in the end,” the Bengals HC noted. “Fourth quarter had a chance to score on offense. Had a chance to get a stop on defense. Had a chance to make some plays on special teams that we didn’t make, and so I think all three phases share that one.”
A true team loss down the stretch in Week 3.
Bengals Announce Bad News About Rookie WR as Steelers Take Week 3