Over the weekend, the Cincinnati Bengals secured their fourth win of the season by defeating the Las Vegas Raiders. However, the victory came at a cost, as the team will now be without two key offensive players.
Running back Zack Moss is sidelined indefinitely due to a neck injury, while tight end Erick All Jr. is expected to miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL. ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter broke the news following an injury update from Bengals head coach Zac Taylor.
Moss’s absence will impact Cincinnati’s ground game. Signed in the offseason as a replacement for Joe Mixon, Moss has yet to fully fill that role. He has recorded 242 rushing yards with two touchdowns and added 23 receptions for 187 yards and one touchdown this season.
The Bengals hope Moss can return before the season ends as they aim for a playoff push. In his absence, backup Chase Brown has stepped up, notably putting up 120 rushing yards and five catches for 37 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders. This standout performance was crucial in securing their home victory. So far this season, Brown has accumulated 479 rushing yards, four touchdowns, and 21 receptions for 98 yards with two receiving touchdowns.
Tight end Erick All Jr., a rookie drafted in the fourth round (115th overall) out of Iowa, contributed 20 receptions for 158 yards but no touchdowns before his injury. Known for his on-field explosiveness, losing All Jr. is a significant setback to the Bengals’ depth.
Veteran tight end Mike Gesicki is expected to step up in All Jr.’s absence. Gesicki delivered an impressive performance against the Raiders, catching five passes for 100 yards and scoring two touchdowns.
Despite these injuries, Cincinnati’s offense remains potent, featuring standout wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase. The Bengals, currently at 4-5, are preparing for a crucial matchup against division rival Baltimore Ravens on Thursday Night Football.
