Doesn't play in finale

Boyd was active but didn't play a snap in Sunday's 21-16 loss to the Browns.

Boyd was one of several key Bengals players who sat out the regular-season finale, as the coaching staff wasn't keen on exposing the 27-year-old to injury in a Week 18 game that didn't have much at stake in terms of playoff positioning. As the No. 3 wideout on a talented offense, Boyd had a solid season in 2021, finishing with 67 catches for 828 yards and five scores. His 4.2 receptions per game and 51.8 yards per game were both slightly down from last season, which was mostly a result of rookie first-round pick Ja'Marr Chase stepping into a prominent role right away for Cincinnati. Week 18 aside, Boyd played more than a quarter of the Bengals' offensive plays in all but three of his 16 appearances during the regular season, so he can be expected to reclaim a near-every down role when Cincinnati opens postseason play Saturday against Las Vegas.