Meet Jermaine Gresham: Bengals Record Holder For Most Receptions By Rookie Tight End

With 13:31 left in the first quarter on third-and-four with the Bengals lined up at their own 34-yard line, Carson Palmer received Kyle Cook's shotgun snap and fired a pass towards the left sidelines. Jermaine Gresham caught the pass on a simple out route just short of the first down, forcing the Bengals to go three-and-out on their opening drive of the game. Kevin Huber would go on to kick the first of only two punts.

Gresham's three-yard reception was the 45th of the season for the young rookie tight end. While it didn't convert a first down -- half of his receptions have resulted in first downs -- Gresham made his mark in franchise history.

Heading into the game, Gresham had already tied former Bengals tight end Tony McGee's mark of most receptions by a rookie tight end at 44. That reception on third down gives Gresham the record, adding to his record with two more receptions giving him 47 on the year. He also caught Carson Palmer's two-point conversion that tied the game at 27.

Dan Ross had arguably the best season by a tight end in franchise history, recording 71 receptions in 1981 for 910 yards receiving (both franchise records) during Cincinnati's 1981 Super Bowl appearance. Ross is also well-known for owning the Super Bowl record of 11 receptions before Jerry Rice did it in Super Bowl XXIII against the -- yep, you guessed it -- Cincinnati Bengals. Deion Branch and Wes Welker have also joined that club.

During his rookie season, Gresham is on pace for 63 receptions, 545 yards receiving and four touchdowns. At this pace in his career and if he stays healthy, Gresham could rewrite most of Cincinnati's tight end records before he's finished.