The Cincinnati Bengals look to get back to winning ways this weekend, as they welcome the Jacksonville Jaguars to Paycor Stadium after losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend.
The Steelers loss was a frustrating one, as the offense did its job, but errors with penalties and on special teams and defense, caused the Bengals to drop their first game of the season. It came after the revamped Cincy defense looked fantastic in the first two weeks, so they'll be desperate to bounce back against an impressive Jaguars team.
However, there are some injuries on the defensive side of the ball for Al Golden to worry about. Safety Kyle Dugger has already been ruled out of Week 4 with a quad issue, and linebacker Swayze Bozeman, safety Bryan Cook and defensive tackle B.J. Hill are all questionable for the game on Sunday.
There is an issue at cornerback too, as Jalen Davis is currently on injured reserve, and so is Ja'Sir Taylor, meaning that the Bengals are thin on the ground at the position.
Dax Hill could have a pivotal role against the Jaguars
Because of the injuries to Davis and Taylor, Dax Hill may have to endure yet another position change and move from being one of the outside cornerbacks to play more in the slot; He's been moved to the slot corner role on the depth chart.
It doesn't mean that Hill will spend the whole game there, but it is almost better for Cincinnati if he does, because Jacksonville's main slot receiver is Parker Washington - their biggest threat.
Washington had a breakout year for the Jaguars last season, and now finds himself as Trevor Lawrence's top target. He is currently leading the team in receiving yards, receptions and touchdowns, with 15 catches for 221 yards and two scores.
He is their best and most dangerous threat through the air this season, and so it will be Dax Hill's job to keep him quiet, meaning that Hill could potentially be the most crucial Bengals defender to watch on Sunday.
Hill's move to the slot can strengthen his bid for a new deal among contract-year players
It's a great opportunity for the 26-year-old to show his worth to the Bengals, as he is in the final year of his contract. The front office decided to take his fifth-year option, but will now have to come to a contract agreement if they don't want to see him walk in free agency.
Hill is one of several key players in a contract year, with DJ Turner, Chase Brown, Myles Murphy and Ted Karras in the final years of their deals too. Hill will have to outperform his teammates to show that he is a priority to extend, or he'll be looking for a new team come the Spring.
If he can shut down Washington on Sunday against the Jaguars, it would send a real message to the Bengals' front office and effectively say 'I deserve to be paid', but it won't be easy for Hill, who will have to be on his A-game.
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