Two of the three players listed as questionable for the Cincinnati Bengals are inactive for today’s game, with linebacker Markus Bailey the lone one suited up for the home opener against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Bengals are in much better shape injury wise than the Ravens, who are down four starters for the third consecutive game in which they are the opponent at Paycor Stadium.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens Inactives
Bengals Inactives
DE Joseph Ossai
OL Jackson Carman
OL Trey Hill
RB Chris Evans
CB D.J. Ivey
Ravens Inactives
S Marcus Williams
CB Marlon Humphrey
C Tyler Linderbaum
OT Ronnie Stanley
CB Arthur Maulet
TE Charlie Kolar
QB Tyler Huntley (third QB)
Analysis
With Evans down, rookie fifth-round pick Chase Brown could make his NFL debut. We’ll see if the Bengals trust him enough in pass protection, but Brown could get a handful of carries to spell Joe Mixon or at least some snaps on special teams.
Rookie Chase Brown will make his NFL debut today with Chris Evans (hamstring) inactive.
— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) September 17, 2023
Evans was limited on Wednesday and did not practice Thursday. He was listed as limited again Friday, and the Bengals are playing it safe with his hamstring injury.
Look for rookie fourth-round pick Charlie Jones to take over the kick-return duties in addition to his role as the punt returner.
Ossai returned to practice this week, but like Evans, Cincinnati is taking the conservative approach, and the hope is he can be ready for the Week 3 Monday night game against the Rams.
MORE: Ravens-Bengals Among the Best Games To Watch in Week 2
That means another chance for rookie first-round pick Myles Murphy to get some work. Murphy only played 13 snaps last week and was nowhere to be found on the stat sheet.
No surprises with Carman, Hill, and Ivey, who are inactive for the second game in a row.
Listen to the PFN Bengals Podcast
Listen to the PFN Bengals Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Bengals Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Bengals Podcast on our NFL YouTube channel.