Bengals injury report versus Washington led by Joe Mixon to injured reserve
The Bengals offensive line is getting healthier but the injury report against the Washington Football Team is led by running back Joe Mixon being placed on injured reserve.
The Bengals injury report is led by the news that running back Joe Mixon was placed on injured reserve on Saturday. Offensive lineman Fred Johnson and Jonah Williams are expected to return Sunday. Johnson and defensive lineman Margus Hunt were activated from the COVID-19 reserve list on Friday.
Williams is expected to return for Cincinnati after missing the last two games and playing only 40 percent of the snaps against Cleveland four weeks ago. Getting the offensive line healthy is important against an aggressive defensive line for the Washington Football team. Washington is fifth in the NFL with 28 sacks.
With Mixon to the IR, offensive lineman Quinton Spain and cornerback Jalen Davis were activated from the practice squad. Spain played every snap last week against Pittsburgh and 85 percent of the snaps in the previous game against Tennessee. The offensive line and protection of Joe Burrow will be a key on Sunday.
In addition to the players on the injured list for Cincinnati on Sunday, wide receivers coach Bob Bicknell, cornerbacks coach and safeties coach Robert Livingston will not be at FedEx Field on Sunday against the Washington Football team. The Bengals had to shuffle coaches around to take their responsibilities.
The notable players on the injured list for Washington are starting safety Deshazor Everett starting offensive tackle Geron Christian and backup OT Cornelius Lucas. The maligned Bengals defensive line could have a chance to pressure Washington quarterback Alex Smith making his second start in two years.
Everett is the second starting safety lost by Washington this season. Veteran Landon Collins was lost for the season last month. Washington will play either Troy Apke or Jeremy Reaves at safety Sunday. Other recognizable names on the injured list for Washington are kicker Dustin Hopkins and wide receiver Dontrelle Inman.
With Mixon out, Giovani Bernard will get the star with veteran Samaje Perine getting playing time. Both Bernard and Mixon are averaging 3.6 yards per carry this season. The Bengals are 21st in rushing offense averaging 105.4 yards per game. Without Mixon, Cincinnati has averaged 112.67 yards per game.
Next. Bengals right move placing Mixon on IR. dark
The Cincinnati rushing offense will match their mirror image against a Washington run defense ranked 21st allowing 126 yards per game. It will be an interesting battle with the Burrow led passing game that has been hot at times this season against the Washington NFL leading pass defense.