In all, the Bengals wheeled out seven plays with five receivers Sunday.

You know how many times they did this all last year? Zero.

You know how many times the rest of the league did this Sunday? One play by the Bills.

Related players: A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd, Tee Higgins, John Ross, Mike Thomas, Auden Tate, Alex Erickson, Joe Mixon, Joe Burrow

The concept became a staple of his record-breaking season at LSU as his new offensive coordinator Joe Brady shifted from traditional six- and seven-man protections to the five-man protections with everyone out in the route to spread the field. The story added the Bengals ran more plays in five receivers than every team except Pittsburgh has over the last two full seasons. The entire league only ran five wide receivers for 25 total plays last season. The Steelers (17) led the way, Jaguars (four) were next and no other team had more than one. HC Zac Taylor said he wants to get the above WRs on the field because he feels there is a lot of talent there. But it also means pulling guys like Joe Mixon off the field at the same time.

Richard Skinner of WKRC in Cincinnati picked WR John Ross as the Bengals breakout offensive player. Skinner bases his choice on the return of A.J. Green to pair with Tyler Boyd, forcing defenses to shift their focus away from Ross. Skinner also talked to A.J. Green about Ross. "He’s unbelievable, siad Green. "He’s one of the fastest people I’ve ever seen, and the way he gets in and out of his breaks is unbelievable. He’s had a great camp outside of getting injured, and I’m very excited for him. He’s going to help our offense out so much."

An effective Ross also bodes well for rookie QB Joe Burrow. Ross has dealt with a myriad of injuries in Cincinnati, but showed promise in the first few weeks of 2019 before said injuries forced him to miss eight games. Until the Bengals offense shows it can support Green, Boyd, and RB Joe Mixon, it will be tough to see Ross as anything other than a waiver wire watch early this season.

John Ross was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list when he left the team earlier this month in order to help care for his son and his son’s mother after they tested positive for the coronavirus. The Bengals announced on Sunday that Ross has been activated from the list.

Related players: A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd

Ross will look to be the speed threat in the Bengal offense behind Green and Boyd, but he's not seeing a lot of action in typical draft formats.

Bengals WR John Ross left training camp on Wednesday after learning both his son and his son's mother tested positive for COVID-19. He is expected to go on the reserve/COVID list.

Ross is putting family first here and it is hard to blame him in light of the news. He will go on the reserve/COVID list due to him being in close proximity to people known to have tested positive. Ross will have to pass through the league's new testing and treatment protocol whenever he decides to return to the team. If Ross's absence extends into the regular season, it could mean additional snaps for rookie WR Tee Higgins.

Joe Burrow has already started to build a rapport with at least one Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver.

According to a source, Burrow and John Ross have trained together out in the west coast. Burrow worked out with Ross prior to the 2020 NFL Draft and those on-field workouts continued post-draft.

The story said establishing a connection with Burrow will have a major impact on Ross’ future with the franchise. Ross is on the final year of his rookie deal and the Bengals declined to pick up his fifth-year option this offseason. Injuries have hampered Ross throughout his Cincinnati career. He got off to a promising start in 2019, but his season was derailed due to a sternoclavicular injury in Week 4.

Can confirm Bengals WR Auden Tate sprained the MCL in his left knee. Initial MRI showed no structural damage.

Related players: Tyler Boyd, John Ross, Alex Erickson

Tate's status for the remainder of the season is now a big question. The Bengals will continue to play with Boyd, Ross and Erickson as Tate's likely replacement.

Bengals coach Zac Taylor said he expects WR John Ross to be active this week.

This will be the first game eligible after being on IR for Ross. He's a deep threat weapon for QB Andy Dalton but probably isn't a safe start in what is likely a Week 14 playoff matchup.