In a major setback for the Cincinnati Bengals’ rushing attack, head coach Zac Taylor announced on Monday that running back Zack Moss will be out indefinitely due to a neck injury. The concerning issue arose late last week, forcing Moss to miss the team’s final practice session and Sunday’s dominant 41-24 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
While Coach Taylor did not provide a specific timeline for Moss’s return, he expressed hope that more information would become available in the coming days. The sudden absence of the veteran running back, who signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Bengals this offseason, leaves a significant void in Cincinnati’s backfield.
Shifting Responsibilities in the Bengals’ Backfield
With Moss sidelined, the bulk of the rushing duties fell to second-year standout Chase Brown in Sunday’s win over the Raiders. The former fifth-round pick out of Illinois rose to the occasion, setting career highs in carries (27), rushing yards (120), and total yards from scrimmage (157) while also contributing a receiving touchdown.
Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher praised Brown’s performance, highlighting his ability to gain yards after contact and make the most of his expanded role. Pitcher emphasized the importance of feeding a running back who is playing at such a high level, as Brown demonstrated against Las Vegas.
“I thought Chase made the most of those opportunities by getting yards after contact. So, when you’ve got a guy that’s playing well like that, you want to feed him the football.”
– Dan Pitcher, Bengals Offensive Coordinator
Depth Concerns and Potential Roster Moves
Despite Brown’s impressive showing, the Bengals now find themselves with limited depth at the running back position. Veteran Trayveon Williams and rookie Kendall Milton, who was recently promoted from the practice squad, are the only other healthy backs on the active roster.
When asked about the possibility of adding another running back to the roster, Coach Taylor acknowledged that the team must remain open to all options. The Bengals’ front office is currently evaluating available players and exploring ways to bolster the position in light of Moss’s indefinite absence.
Adapting the Game Plan for Thursday Night Football
As the Bengals prepare for a crucial AFC North matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night, the coaching staff will need to adjust their offensive game plan to account for Moss’s absence. While Chase Brown’s emergence as a reliable lead back is encouraging, the short turnaround between games presents an additional challenge.
Coach Taylor and his staff will likely lean on Brown to shoulder the majority of the rushing workload once again, but they must also find ways to keep him fresh and effective throughout the contest. Utilizing Trayveon Williams and Kendall Milton in complementary roles could help alleviate some of the pressure on Brown while keeping the Ravens’ defense off-balance.
The Ripple Effect of Erick All Jr.’s Season-Ending Injury
Compounding the Bengals’ personnel woes is the loss of tight end Erick All Jr., who suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during the Raiders game. All, who had been a key contributor in both the passing and running games, will miss the remainder of the season – a significant blow to Cincinnati’s offensive versatility.
“People see the role he’s playing for us. He has a lot of responsibilities in our system. It hurts.”
– Zac Taylor, Bengals Head Coach
As the Bengals navigate the challenges posed by the injuries to Zack Moss and Erick All Jr., they will need to rely on their depth, creativity, and resilience to maintain their status as a top contender in the AFC. The coming days and weeks will provide a clearer picture of how the team plans to adapt and overcome these setbacks as they pursue their goals of winning the AFC North and making a deep playoff run.
