The Bengals came out on top in an overtime thriller Saturday and in doing so kept their playoff chances alive. Two key members of their offense are far from healthy, however. 
Left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. played all 90 offensive snaps for Cincinnati during tonight’s game, one which marked his return to the lineup. Brown had been sidelined since Week 13, and his availability was welcomed by a Bengals team needing to win out to have a chance at a wild-card spot. Brown said after the contest, however, that his fibula is broken in two spots (h/t ESPN’s Ben Baby).
That is a rather notable disclosure given the severity of broken bones and the missed time such injuries often cause. Brown was not charged with a sack or pressure allowed in pass protection by PFF, though, a sign of how effective he was able to be on Saturday despite the injury. Having him available for another must-win contest would be critical up front for Cincinnati in Week 18 against the Steelers.
The Bengals’ backfield could be shorthanded for that contest, however. Running back Chase Brown was injured late in the fourth quarter and he did not return to the game. Head coach Zac Taylor said (via Tom Pelissero of NFL Network) the ailment is an ankle sprain, but the severity is unknown at this point. Missing Brown for the regular season finale would deal a notable blow to Cincinnati’s rushing attack.
Since Zack Moss was lost for the year in November due to a neck injury, Brown has taken on lead back duties. The second-year rusher produced at least 94 scrimmage yards in each contest since the one Moss was injured in heading into Saturday’s action. Brown has scored 11 total touchdowns in 2024 after recording only one as a rookie. The 24-year-old Canadian’s absence would thus be sorely missed if he were to be sidelined for Week 18.
If Brown cannot play against Pittsburgh, Cincinnati would turn to trade acquisition Khalil Herbert to handle RB1 duties. Of course, being shorthanded at the running back spot would also lead to an increased reliance on quarterback Joe Burrow and the team’s dynamic passing attack. In any case, updates on both Orlando and Chase Brown will be worth watching for closely given the Bengals’ status as a postseason hopeful.
This team cannot catch a break. It’s been one thing after another all season.
Actually, Brown has caught 2 breaks…
Actually they caught multiple last night. Pitty patty penalties against the broncos, but not bengals. And seeing how Higgins didn’t secure the ball with two feet down, and had a blatant push off opi on that last ball as well that weren’t called.
If you think the officiating is bad now just wait until the playoffs get underway 🙂
They actually caught a nice break yesterday. Playing a Payton team. Nice of him to hand the ball back to Burrows when all he had to do was run two running plays and punt at the end of OT.
Hope it costs the Broncos that their coach is such an arrogant moron
There was timeouts left for the bengals? Did you even watch the game or highlights? It’s too easy to tell clowns that actually don’t watch games, but you know. Oh and btw, game should’ve iced regardless after trautman was shown being held on the replay on third down. But you know, tell me more.
Who are you talking to?
The Bengals had no timeouts
All Denver had to do was run twice and kill some clock, then punt
Even the announcers were mystified
Did Payton not know a tie was as good as a win for a playoff berth?
And I guess you were watching at a bar, eh pal?
Lmao Main Street you definitely didn’t watch the game. The announcers clearly said they needed a first down after they ran it. I watched it at home, but ya know, nice try. I swear you clowns are comical. Don’t even watch the game, but are the experts.
They threw two passes that fell incomplete and stopped the clock. The only clown here is you
You don’t give Burrow, for my money the best QB in the league, extra time. Payton did. That was the point of my comment on “gift “
Sorry it went over your head
Sorry if it’s going over your head, since clearly you don’t even know the correct play by play. Two incomplete? Check again buddy. First down was a run, second was a completed pass, then the timeout was called. A first down ices the game, and takes the ball out of burrows hands completely because there’s over 2:30 left at that point. Replays showed trautman was held on the third down pass. You really just keep clowning yourself even further. Wanna try and deflect some more?
They threw a screen pass to Mims and lost a yard. Then they tried another throw to your boy Trautman. You’re still crying about him being held. Sheesh. It only happens on every play in the NFL. Incomplete
How many seconds did they lose with that gamble, genius? Why would you give Burrow, who had no timeouts, more time?
You’re still trying to back track. First it was two incompletions, now it’s oh he actually only had one. Replays also showed a clear hold on trautman regardless. And the game is iced and takes the ball out of burrows hands completely if it’s caught. Not too bright are you now?
Not too bright? If we put your brain in a bird, the bird would fly backwards
Yeah. I forget the dumb pass that went for a loss. And then an incompletion
The point was that in OT, it was poor clock management that gave Burrow one helluva advantage. But that’s Payton’s history
You win, pal. It’s like arguing with a 6th grader in a playground.
Here we go deflecting again. After the fact I laid it all out in front of you, and your low iq still couldn’t grasp onto it. Quite amazing, after multiple tries, and multiple tries of you saying one thing and being corrected on, you still couldn’t grasp it. But hey bud, at least your mom tells you that you’re a real special kid. Though, may be the opposite end of the spectrum of what special she’s talking about.
And your wife keeps calling my house. Tell her that plump blondes aren’t my thing, pal
Deflecting? From you and your inability to reason or hold an intelligent “conversation?” Take a hike, son
Aw, at least you got the blonde part correct. And you’re right buddy, I need to slow down on the words I use for you. Sorry, I forgot about your spectrum scaling. At least you admitted to yourself that you have no idea what you’re even talking about. Now go back to those Spider-Man spaghetti o’s, and have your mom make sure your helmet is tightened champ.
As with everyone in the NFL