The Cincinnati Bengals’ backfield depth took a significant hit on Tuesday as the team announced that running back Zack Moss has been placed on injured reserve with a neck injury. According to head coach Zac Taylor, Moss is likely to miss the remainder of the 2024 NFL season.
Moss, who signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Bengals in the offseason, had been splitting carries with second-year back Chase Brown in recent weeks. However, Moss missed the team’s Week 10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders due to the neck issue that surfaced late last week.
Injury Deemed Season-Ending After Further Evaluation
While the exact moment the injury occurred remains unclear, Coach Taylor provided an update on Moss’s status ahead of Tuesday night’s practice. “Still gathering more information, but it doesn’t look like he’ll be back,” Taylor stated, indicating that the issue is serious enough to sideline Moss for the rest of the campaign.
Although early indications suggest the injury is not career-threatening, further testing is being conducted to assess the full extent of the damage. As Taylor explained, “I just know late in the week he didn’t feel right. So that’s where it ended up.”
Bengals Acquire RB Khalil Herbert from Bears
In response to Moss’s absence, the Bengals moved swiftly to bolster their running back corps, completing a trade with the Chicago Bears for Khalil Herbert just hours before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline. Cincinnati sent a 2025 seventh-round draft pick to Chicago in exchange for Herbert, who had fallen down the Bears’ depth chart and logged only eight carries through six games this season.
Herbert arrived in Cincinnati around 2 p.m. on Tuesday and was already wearing his new number 34 at the team’s evening practice session. With a crucial AFC North showdown against the Baltimore Ravens looming on Thursday night, Coach Taylor did not rule out the possibility of Herbert being available to play. “We’ll see where it goes,” he remarked. “I wouldn’t take it off the table.”
Chase Brown Poised for Expanded Role
In Moss’s absence against the Raiders in Week 10, Chase Brown stepped up and delivered a career-best performance, rushing for 120 yards on 27 carries. The impressive outing solidified Brown’s status as the Bengals’ primary back moving forward, with Herbert expected to provide depth and complementary support.
Chase has really come on strong lately and shown what he’s capable of as a lead back. We have full confidence in him to carry the load, but adding Khalil gives us another talented option to keep the ground game rolling.
An unnamed Bengals team source told reporters
Tee Higgins Remains with Bengals Despite Trade Speculation
Another storyline surrounding the Bengals leading up to the trade deadline was the future of wide receiver Tee Higgins. Currently playing on the franchise tag, Higgins is set to become a free agent after this season. However, Coach Taylor firmly dismissed any notion that the team considered moving the talented wideout.
“I think those are conversations you all had,” Taylor said, referring to media speculation. “Not us.” Higgins, who has missed the last two games and four total this season due to a quadricep injury, did not practice on Tuesday night as he continues his recovery process.
Looking Ahead: Bengals’ Playoff Push Continues
As the Bengals prepare for the second half of the 2024 campaign, they find themselves in the thick of the playoff race. Despite the loss of Moss, the team remains confident in their ability to maintain a balanced offensive attack, with Joe Burrow’s dynamic passing game complemented by the emerging backfield duo of Chase Brown and Khalil Herbert.
The upcoming Thursday Night Football clash against the Ravens carries significant weight in the AFC North standings. A victory would not only propel the Bengals forward but also provide a critical head-to-head tiebreaker advantage over their division rivals.
While the absence of Zack Moss is undoubtedly a setback, the Bengals have demonstrated resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity throughout the season. As they navigate the challenges ahead, the team’s depth, talent, and competitive spirit will be put to the test in their pursuit of a return to the postseason stage.
