Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown won’t be available for the team’s regular-season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night. Joe Burrow and Co. need to win their final game in Week 18 to have a shot at the playoffs, but they’ll have to pull off the victory without their star running back.
Let’s examine why the Bengals’ fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft is sidelined in this win-or-go-home scenario.
Why Isn’t Chase Brown Playing in Week 18?
Brown hurt his ankle during Cincinnati’s thrilling overtime win against the Denver Broncos in Week 17.
He was diagnosed with an ankle sprain after sliding at the goal line in the closing seconds of regulation. Now, as the Bengals prepare for the regular-season finale, they’ll be without the 24-year-old when they take on the Steelers.
Chase Brown –
Could have been knee or ankle, and could have been significantly worse.
But looks like a high ankle mechanism as his cleat sticks and ankle rolls into eversion. Likely stiffens up post game and could give him problems into week 18 practices. pic.twitter.com/iCLzZ4wn6C— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) December 29, 2024
An ankle sprain usually sidelines players for multiple weeks. But considering what’s at stake, Brown likely tried to do whatever he could to take the field against the Steelers. He was listed as questionable for Saturday’s game, but after missing practice, he was officially inactive.
With Zack Moss already sidelined due to a neck injury, the Bengals are down to backup running back Khali Herbert, who was acquired by Cincinnati for a seventh-round pick prior to the NFL trade deadline in November.
Last week, Herbert filled in for Brown and ran for 23 yards on four carries against the Broncos in overtime.
On the season, Herbert has carried the ball 16 times for 61 yards and one touchdown while catching three passes for 11 yards. However, last year, Herbert registered 132 carries for 611 yards and two touchdowns while catching 31 passes for 134 receiving yards and one score through the air.
Scenario for Bengals To Qualify for Playoffs
To make it to the playoffs, the Bengals must first win their game against the Steelers on Saturday. They are on 8-8 this season and need to get to nine wins to have any chance. They also need some help.
If the Bengals win on Saturday, they will need two specific results on Sunday. The Miami Dolphins would have to lose to the New York Jets. And the Kansas City Chiefs, playing with mostly backups after already securing the AFC’s top seed, would need to defeat the Denver Broncos.