The Cincinnati Bengals are coming off a huge win over the Denver Broncos on Saturday, but the victory didn’t come without a price.
Toward the end of the game, running back Chase Brown was handed the ball in the red zone. Instead of scoring a touchdown, he tried to salt the game away by going down at the one-yard line. This would have forced Denver to use their timeouts, and Cincinnati could have kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired. The former Illini ball carrier’s plan didn’t come to fruition.
As Brown went down at the one-yard line, his leg got caught up in the defender, and Brown went down with an injury. This injury forced the Bengals to use one of their timeouts, giving Denver a new hope in the game.
The injury to Brown looked pretty bad at the time, as he was in severe pain. On Sunday, Fox Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that Brown’s injury isn’t quite as bad as it first appeared. Brown has been diagnosed with a high ankle sprain.
Sources: #Bengals standout RB Chase Brown had an MRI this morning and was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) December 29, 2024
Brown is determined to try to play in Cincinnati’s must-win Week 18 game against Pittsburgh, but his availability will depend on how he progresses throughout the week. pic.twitter.com/P6t8dp5EEH
High ankle sprains usually keep players out for multiple weeks. This is one of the worst types of ankle sprains a player can have, but that isn’t deterring Brown from his goal; stepping onto the field.
According to Schultz’s social media post, Brown is trying to get right enough to play in week 18 against Pittsburgh. If being an Illinois fan has taught me anything, it is that Brown is a tough player and it wouldn’t shock me to see him suit up within a week of suffering a high ankle sprain.
Chase Brown is just 10 yards away from a pretty impressive feat with the Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have had a pretty frustrating season in 2024. They have one of the best, if not the best, offenses in the NFL, but they currently sit at 8-8 and need help to get into the playoffs.
Despite the struggles to secure wins, Cincinnati has had multiple bright spots, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.
Obviously, quarterback Joe Burrow is a superstar. He has an ability that is rare to see behind center. It also helps he is throwing to some great talent like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, among others. With those potential future Hall of Famers putting up impressive numbers, it has taken a lot of the spotlight away from what Brown is doing on the field.
Brown is just 10 yards away from hitting the 1000-yard mark, which would be the first time he has hit that mark in his professional career. This is also a mark that has only been hit five times in the last 11 seasons for the Bengals.
The impressive season by Brown doesn’t stop there, though. The electric runner is averaging 4.3 yards per carry this season. That is the most yards per carry by a Cincinnati leading rusher in the last six seasons. The latest running back to eclipse that mark was Joe Mixon in 2018.
On top of that, there have only been two Bengals’ leading rushers to average at least 4.3 yards per carry in the past 17 seasons. That was Mixon in 2018 and Jeremy Hill in 2014.
Brown is a big part of the Bengals offense. Without an effective running game, teams can drop back in coverage and give Burrow problems. Brown is important in the chase for a playoff berth, and he knows it. That is why he is trying to get back on the field next weekend.