The Cincinnati Bengals are in a do-or-die situation, and the tumultuous 2024 season has overshadowed running back Zack Moss’ untimely injury. Moss, once heralded as the heir apparent to Joe Mixon, has been sidelined since Week 9, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering about his status.
As the last week of the 2024 NFL regular season is looming, questions surrounding the star RB’s return continue to swirl.
Zack Moss Will Remain Absent From Bengals’ Week 18 Game
Moss suffered a neck injury during practice before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders, effectively ending his 2024 campaign. Though initially ambiguous, the injury required extended rest, and he was ultimately placed on injured reserve.
Early evaluations revealed the severity of the issue, requiring a minimum two-month recovery period to assess whether he could avoid surgery. Spine specialist Dr. Robert Watkins was consulted to aid his recovery. Subsequently, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on the situation:
“A source said that while Moss is unlikely to return to action in 2024, surgery is not deemed necessary at this point,” Fowler said, sparking optimism for Moss’ long-term outlook.
When Is Moss Expected To Return?
Specialists have provided cautious optimism, suggesting that Moss may be ready to return for the 2025 season. He was placed on injured reserve, effectively ending his season after the diagnosis. The hope is for Moss to avoid long-term complications, as neck/spine injuries can be serious, with Seattle Seahawks RB Chris Carson being a recent name to come to mind.
However, his absence has left a significant void in Cincinnati’s backfield.
How Has Moss’ Absence Impacted the Bengals’ Offense?
The Bengals’ ground game has leaned heavily on Chase Brown, who has been tasked with carrying the load without Moss in the picture. Brown has shown flashes of promise, but Moss’ lack of dynamism cost the team’s offensive rhythm. The Bengals stand at 8-8, and their playoff hopes hinge not only on their own performance but also on favorable outcomes in other games.
According to PFN’s Week 17 NFL Offense Rankings, the Bengals earned a grade of B (eighth-best) after their latest game against their conference rivals, the Denver Broncos. Their offensive inefficiency was glaring against the Broncos, as the team failed to capitalize on key opportunities and relied too heavily on individual brilliance rather than cohesive execution. Despite Joe Burrow’s elite play, the offense has been unable to compensate for the defense’s shortcomings.
Cincinnati posted a 72.4 (C-) grade against Denver, marking the 10th time in 16 games that its defense finished outside the top 15 in a given week. Cincinnati really fell apart after a strong start, posting the third-worst Defense+ grade in the second half in Week 17.
Optimism remains that Moss could resume full football activities by next season, but the Bengals face tough decisions regarding their running back depth moving forward.