The Cincinnati Bengals were dealt a devastating blow in their Week 11 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, as starting cornerback DJ Turner II suffered a broken clavicle that will likely land him on injured reserve. The injury occurred in the third quarter of Sunday’s 34-27 loss, further depleting a secondary already missing key players like Dax Hill.
Turner’s Breakout Cut Short
Before exiting with the injury, Turner was in the midst of perhaps his finest performance as a pro. The second-year defensive back out of Michigan had been thriving in an expanded role, stepping up admirably in the absence of Hill, who tore his ACL in Week 5. Now, the Bengals must face the prospect of being without two of their top three cornerbacks for the remainder of the season.
“I wouldn’t say he’s 100% done for the year,” head coach Zac Taylor told reporters on Tuesday. “But it’s something you’ve got to let sit and heal.” While not definitively ruling Turner out, Taylor’s comments suggest a multi-week absence at minimum, leaving the Bengals perilously thin in the secondary.
Cornerback Carousel Continues
Turner’s injury comes on the heels of a tumultuous week for the Bengals’ cornerback group. Cam Taylor-Britt, the team’s top cover man entering the season, was benched in the second half against the Chargers after surrendering a touchdown. Veteran Mike Hilton has been solid in the slot, but the outside positions have been a revolving door.
With Turner sidelined, Taylor-Britt will likely regain his starting role opposite rookie Josh Newton. The Bengals are hoping Taylor-Britt can recapture the form that made him a standout in training camp and shake off his recent struggles.
“I don’t ever throw in the towel, especially on a guy like that [who] has had success. Sometimes you don’t know what’s going on inside a guy’s head. But Cam is about the right stuff.”
—Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo on Cam Taylor-Britt
Playoff Push in Peril?
At 4-7, the Bengals find themselves in a precarious position in the ultra-competitive AFC. With games still remaining against powerhouse offenses like the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati can ill afford any weak links in their secondary if they hope to make a playoff push.
While the Bengals’ offense, led by star quarterback Joe Burrow, has the firepower to keep them in most games, the defense will need to hold up their end of the bargain. Losing a talent like Turner, who was just starting to come into his own, is a bitter pill to swallow at such a critical juncture.
Next Man Up Mentality
As they have all season, the Bengals will need to rely on their “next man up” philosophy to weather this latest storm. Depth players like Tre Flowers and Allan George could see their roles expand, while the team may also look to the free agent market for reinforcements.
Regardless of who steps in, the Bengals know they have no margin for error if they hope to make a return trip to the postseason. Every member of the secondary will need to elevate their game to compensate for the losses of Turner and Hill.
“It’s all about having the next player ready to come in and compete,” said a team source familiar with the situation. “That’s been our mentality since training camp. We believe in this group and know we have the talent to overcome these obstacles.”
The road ahead won’t be easy for Cincinnati, but if they can galvanize in the face of adversity, they may just have the resilience to defy the odds and secure a coveted playoff berth. For now, all eyes will be on how this defense responds, starting with next week’s crucial matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
