The timing of rookie running back Chase Brown’s hamstring injury could not have been any worse for the Cincinnati Bengals.
His return could not have been timed any better.
The Bengals cleared Brown to return to practice Monday — the first day he was eligible after going on injured reserve on Oct. 28 — and opened a 21-day window for the team to activate him to the 53-man roster.
Is Chase Brown Ready To Make an Impact?
Given how well he’s feeling, how badly the run game needs some more juice, and the all-hands-on-deck approach to trying to survive Joe Burrow’s season-ending wrist injury, it would be a surprise if Brown isn’t activated in time for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“I think he feels pretty good right now, so we’ll see how quickly we can get him up to speed and use him,” head coach Zac Taylor said.
“Obviously (the decision) is out of my hands, but the way I feel right now, I’m confident I could go out there and play to my fullest,” Brown said.
Through the first six games, Brown had just two carries for six yards and three receptions for seven yards, but the Bengals had a plan to significantly increase his role coming out of the bye, starting with the Week 8 game at San Francisco.
The hamstring injury in the Thursday practice that week put everything on hold.
“He was a guy we were starting to give more to right before it happened,” Taylor said. “I mean, literally right as it happened. That practice had been a good one for him, had given him some opportunities.”
"My game is really all-around. I can do it all and you'll see that." –@chasebrown____ pic.twitter.com/2bB0XcGjHX
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 2, 2023
Brown said he felt the hamstring grab during a kickoff coverage drill and knew he was going to have to miss time just as he was getting his chance.
“It was a little bit frustrating in that way, but it’s a long season,” he said. “Now, this is the opportunity, and on Sunday, I’ll make sure I’m ready if the opportunity comes.”
Starting running back Joe Mixon has had flashes this season where he’s played well, including the most recent loss against Baltimore. But more often than not, he has looked like a 27-year-old RB feeling the weight of seven seasons of wear and tear.
Mixon is averaging 4.0 yards per carry, just below his career average of 4.1, but the explosion and elusiveness have waned.
MORE: Jake Browning Likely Not the Only Change in Bengals’ Starting Lineup Sunday
Among the 41 running backs with at least 75 attempts this season, Mixon ranks 36th in average yards after contact (2.6) and 24th in missed tackles forced (20), per Pro Football Focus.
On the positive side of Mixon’s body of work are 38 rushes for first down, tied for second in the league, and 16 rushes of 10+ yards, which ranks sixth.
The Bengals drafted Brown in the fifth round ultimately to replace Mixon, with an eye toward 2024. The plan for the final seven games this year will be more about getting Brown more reps to see how comfortable he is in pass protection and how much better the run game can be using a pair of backs with diverse skills.
“He’s got quickness, he’s got speed, he’s got explosiveness, things that would complement Joe (Mixon) really well in the run game,” offensive coordinator Brian Callahan said.
“I was looking forward to his time before he got hurt, and I really have the same feeling this time around, too. You hope that he can provide a little bit of a spark and a different style runner than Mixon is.”
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