Hurst is slated to sign a three-year contract with the Panthers, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
What it means:
Hurst showcased himself as a competent starter while with Cincinnati on a one-year deal in 2022, when he logged a 52-414-2 receiving line on 68 targets over 13 regular-season appearances. He now gets a chance to lead Carolina's tight end room, which also features complementary options Ian Thomas and Tommy Tremble. All signs point to the Panthers grabbing a rookie quarterback at No. 1 overall in April's draft, and the presence of a reliable tight end like Hurst should be helpful for developing whichever young-signal caller the team looks to for the future.
Hurst had four catches on five targets for 37 yards in Sunday's AFC Championship Game loss to the Chiefs. During the regular season had 52 catches for 414 yards and two touchdowns. He'll be a free agent this offseason after playing on a one-year deal, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.
What it means:
Hurst had a nice bounceback year despite missing four games with injuries, but it's not a sure thing that he'll be back with the Bengals. He won't likely settle for a one-year deal this offseason, or at the $3.5 million rate that he played at in 2022.
Hurst (calf) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs after practicing fully Friday.
What it means:
Hurst proclaimed himself healthy earlier in the day Friday, and his confidence was validated by the official injury report. The starting tight end was a limited participant in practice Thursday, but it appears that limited session was precautionary. Hurst has caught nine of 12 targets for 104 yards, one touchdown and one fumble lost through two games this postseason.
Hurst (calf) is on track to play in Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.
What it means:
Coach Zac Taylor relayed that Hurst, who was limited Thursday, had a good practice Friday, which sets the stage for the tight end to be available versus Kansas City. The Bengals' final injury report will clarify both Hurst's participation level Friday, as well as whether or not he carries an official injury designation into the weekend.
Hurst (calf) was limited at practice Thursday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.
What it means:
Hurst practiced fully Wednesday, so the tight end's addition to the Bengals' injury report makes his status worth tracking as Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs approaches. Hurst dealt with a calf issue back in December, but it's unclear if his listed limitations Thursday are indicative of a setback in practice or a case of workload management.
Hurst caught five of six targets for 59 yards in Sunday's 27-10 win over the Bills in the AFC divisional round.
What it means:
Hurst capped Cincinnati's second series with a touchdown from 15 yards after running wide open. The tight end helped quarterback Joe Burrow move the sticks consistently later on, nearly leading the team in receiving yards on a snowy day. Next up for Hurst and the Bengals is a meeting against the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game. In facing Kansas City during Week 13 of the regular season, Hurst caught only two passes for 12 yards in a 27-24 win.
