Cincinnati Bengals: Five Players to Watch vs. the Titans

Aug 24, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Emmanuel Lamur (59) at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Emmanuel Lamur

Staying with the idea of filling in for a missing star, no defensive player may be more important in the coming week than Emmanuel Lamur.  It was reported today that Vontaze Burfict is experiencing concussion symptoms for the second week in a row, so it’s highly likely he’ll be out for Sunday’s game.

With Burfict out, the natural substitute will be Lamur.  He’s played 154 of a possible 156 snaps thus far this season while Burfict has been out often.  He has been highly productive accumulating 19 tackles (11 solo), two pass deflections, and an interception while helping to cover opposing tight ends while Burfict is on the field.

The Titans possess a dangerous tight end in Delanie Walker who caught 60 passes last year for 571 yards and six TDs.  Walker already has 13 catches this year 179 yards and two TDs this year, which means he’s on pace for 104 catches, 1432 yards, and 16 TDs; it’s highly unlikely he’ll reach those numbers, but one can see how dangerous he can be.  Lamur has the skills and build to stop the talented Walker while addressing edge rushes using his speed.  In Burfict’s stead, Lamur will need to continue to be dominant if this defense is to avoid playing the way it did in the second half of the Ravens game.