The Cincinnati Bengals are in Nashville to play the Tennessee Titans for the third consecutive year, but they’ll do so today without the services of one offensive starter and two special-teams players.
The Titans have ruled out four players, including two starters on offense.
Who Are the Inactives for Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tennessee Titans?
The Bengals ruled out starting tight end Irv Smith Jr. and punt returner Charlie Jones, their rookie fourth-round pick who ranks second in the league in punt-return average at 18.8 yards, on Friday.
The Bengals placed Jones on Injured Reserve on Friday after he injured his right thumb in the 19-16 Monday night win against the Rams, while Smith has been battling a hamstring injury since the Thursday practice before that game.
The Bengals elevated Tanner Hudson from the practice squad Monday for more TE depth, and he ended up having more receiving yards (30) than the other two tight ends on the active roster, Drew Sample (10) and Mitchell Wilcox (seven). Hudson has been elevated again for today’s game.
The likely replacement for Jones as the punt returner is wide receiver Trenton Irwin, who was inactive Monday night.
Today marks the first time this season all four running backs — Joe Mixon, Trayveon Williams, Chris Evans, and rookie Chase Brown — have been active.
The Titans, meanwhile, will be without starting wide receiver Treylon Burks, the team’s second-leading receiver with 99 yards on six catches. His absence could mean more action for University of Cincinnati product Chris Moore.
Also ruled out for the Titans are starting left guard Peter Skoronski, backup linebacker Luke Gifford, and backup safety Elijah Molden.
In addition to Charlie Jones and IRv Smith Jr. being out, LB Akeem Davis-Gaither (knee) is questionable. pic.twitter.com/noa0W6gOAQ
— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) September 29, 2023
Cincinnati Bengals
- TE Irv Smith Jr. (hamstring)
- LB Akeem Davis-Gaither (knee)
- CB DJ Ivey
- OL Trey Hill
- OL Jackson Carman
- LB Devin Harper
Tennessee Titans
- WR Treylon Burks
- LG Peter Skoronski
- LB Luke Gifford
- S Elijah Molden
- QB Will Levis
- OL Jaelyn Duncan
Friday’s Injury Report
Tennessee Titans
Out
- WR Treylon Burks (knee)
- LG Peter Skoronski (abdomen)
- LB Luke Gifford (hamstring)
- S Elijah Molden (hamstring)
Questionable
- DL Teair Tart (knee)
DL Denico Autry (groin)
Cincinnati Bengals
Out
- TE Irv Smith Jr. (hamstring)
- PR/WR Charlie Jones (thumb)
Questionable
- LB Akeem Davis-Gaither (knee)
What Are the Starting Lineups for Each Team?
Tennessee Titans
- Quarterback: Ryan Tannehill
- Wide Receiver: DeAndre Hopkins, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Chris Moore
- Running Back: Derrick Henry
- Tight End: Chigoziem Okonkwo
- Offensive Line (Left to Right): Andre Dillard, Xavier Newman-Johnson, Aaron Brewer, Daniel Brunskill, Chris Hubbard
- Defensive Line: Jeffery Simmons, Teair Tart, Denico Autry
- Linebacker: Harold Landry III, Jack Gibbens, Azeez Al-Shaair, Arden Key
- Defensive Backs: Sean Murphy-Bunting, Kristian Fulton, Amani Hooker, Kevin Byard
Cincinnati Bengals
- Quarterback: Joe Burrow
- Wide Receiver: Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd
- Running Back: Joe Mixon
- Tight End: Drew Sample
- Offensive Line (Left to Right): Orlando Brown Jr., Cordell Volson, Ted Karras, Alex Cappa, Jonah Williams
- Defensive Line: Trey Hendrickson, DJ Reader, B.J. Hill, Sam Hubbard
- Linebacker: Logan Wilson, Germaine Pratt
- Defensive Backs: Chidobe Awuzie, Cam Taylor-Britt, Mike Hilton, Nick Scott, Dax Hill
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