The Cincinnati Bengals’ playoff hopes are hanging by a thread after Sunday’s video games, organising a nail-biting finale in Week 18.
The trail to the postseason isn’t unimaginable, but it surely’s definitely slender – the Bengals have to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh to complete 9-8 and full a five-game profitable streak.
But even that may not be sufficient, as wins by the Denver Broncos or the Miami Dolphins would get rid of Cincinnati from playoff rivalry.
Including to their challenges, the Bengals made a major roster transfer that impacts their defensive position.
Veteran defensive sort out Sheldon Rankins landed on the Reserve/Non-Soccer Sickness checklist Monday, successfully ending his season because the obligatory four-game absence extends past any potential playoff run.
We have now positioned DT Sheldon Rankins on the Reserve/Non-Soccer Sickness checklist. pic.twitter.com/YnZ3g7JGuA
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 30, 2024
Rankins’ first yr in Cincinnati hasn’t gone in line with plan. The ninth-year professional managed simply seven video games this season, contributing 18 tackles and one sack whereas battling varied setbacks, together with a difficult hamstring harm.
His future with the staff appears unsure – the Bengals may choose to half methods within the offseason, a transfer that will create $10.5 million in cap area with solely a $2 million useless cap hit.
The timing is especially robust for Cincinnati’s protection. Rankins joined the Bengals on a two-year, $24.5 million contract earlier than the 2024 season, introduced in to fill the void left by DJ Reader’s departure to the Detroit Lions.
With Rankins sidelined, the defensive position duties have fallen to rookies Kris Jenkins Jr. and McKinnley Jackson, who’ve been thrust into bigger roles alongside veteran BJ Hill.
Because the Bengals put together for his or her essential Week 18 matchup, they’ll want their younger defensive position to step up in the event that they hope to maintain their playoff desires alive.
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