HoosierCat

Ossai went full today so that’s encouraging. Hendrickson out again so sounds like he’s a scratch. Boyd wants to play but Hobs confirmed the bone-broke-the-skin story so that’s kind of hard to see.

Like I said earlier, it’s that time of year. Everyone is banged up. I’m betting Hendrickson, Hurst, Hilton and Davis are all out come Sunday. Have to see what they do with Boyd and Ossai, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they sat, too. No idea where Taylor is at. I think Higgins will be back as long as the hammy doesn’t act up pregame again.

Hobs (yesterday): INJURY UPDATE: Burrow had a full practice before he showed up on the injury report (throwing elbow). Everybody else sounds day-to-to-day, like wide receivers Tyler Boyd (finger) and Tee Higgins (hamstring) after they went limited. Edge Joseph Ossai (shoulder) and slot receiver Trent Taylor (hamstring) also went limited while edge Trey Hendrickson (wrist) cornerbacks Mike Hilton (ankle) and Jalen Davis (thumb) and tight end Hayden Hurst (calf) didn't work.

Per Morrison, Hilton at practice but not dressed. He had a knee injury during the Browns game but apparently gutted it out. Backup Jalen Davis also present but not practicing, arm in a sling.

I’d argue we have more than two. But regardless, RB isn’t an issue on the field now and I very much doubt it will be, for the rest of this season at least. Whether it makes sense to continue paying Mixon $10 million a year (with an even high cap hit) through 2024 is something they will have to take a hard look at after the season.

Yes, this. I mean, “using the run to set up the pass” is not exactly a new concept that was just invented by the Bengals last weekend. Mixon’s overall underwhelming performance this year is a separate issue. Now, he *has* been better lately as the oline has gelled and run-blocking has improved. So I suppose we will see how it goes. One thing I will say: that Perine TD, where he runs into a bunch of guys, then just suddenly pops out the back of the scrum again and runs around everyone for the score was vintage Corey Dillon. And no, I’m not saying Perine = Dillon, just that Corey used to do that on the regular and it Perine pulling it off brought a big smile to my face.

McShay’s first mock is out. Gives the Bengals: I’m ignoring the last line since all it shows is Todd hasn’t been paying attention. He also has Baltimore tasking a corner (Clark Phillips, Utah) while the Steelers take ArmyBengal favorite OT Paris Johnson. (If you want Jalen Carter TJ, McShay thinks we need to move up to 2…) Interestingly McShay has a run of three straight DEs at 29-31: Iowa’s Lukas Van Ness, Florida State’s Jared Verse and Isaiah Foskey from Notre Dame. So if you aren’t into CB maybe DE?

Yah, Burrow plays in Cincy and from a media perspective Cincy isn’t sexy. LA (Herbert) and Philly (Hurts)? HAWT! Cincy is the third wheel chick. Doesn’t actually matter in terms of games, but it will never not be annoying in media coverage.

My favorite reaction video channel.

Yeah I don’t expect any of these guys to last to the Bengals pick unless things go badly and they lose in the WC round. That would put their puck somewhere around 20…and then maybe. Really tho I just think it’s worth looking at rankings before the draft hype machine gets hold of things. Some of these guys are going to slip out of the conversation and maybe we get lucky.

Cool. Didn’t hear his name and the radio team gave no more info so good to know.

Not sure how much we see of Ossai. He got hurt yesterday, spent some time in the blue tent and came out with a harness on his left shoulder per Dave & Lap. Was doing range of motion exercises on the sideline after that, don’t know if he got back in the game.

From Matt Miller over at ESPN:

Yah, 1-2 weeks. Given that the next two opponents are Bucs and and Pats, then Bills and Ravens, well, if he had to miss 2 games the former would be the two to miss. It sounds like Higgins wanted to go but got vetoed by the coaches after his first play. That suggests he’s close, though you have to wonder if they keep him sidelined so he’s healthy for the last two games , too.

Bengals open as 3.5-point road favorites. O/U 42. I dunno. If I were betting I might be tempted to take the Bucs and the points. Not that I believe that Cincy will lose but imho this is a trap game and a close victory wouldn’t surprise me.

The quest for cash to PayJoe continues… https://www.supermarketperimeter.com/articles/9051-the-killer-brownie-company-partners-with-the-cincinnati-bengals

It was a bad day for punters generally. Check out the Giants/Philly game.

It’s also probably worth noting that while the NFL is a series of 17 one-week seasons and past performance is no guarantee of future success…the Bengals head to Tampa the winner of five straight and the Bucs just got destroyed by someone named “Brock Purdy” 35-7. Even banged up as they are, I think they make it a clean sweep of the AFC South next Sunday.

Same shit for most teams this time of year. Ravens were playing QB3 and still won. Bengals just beat a division foe they hadn’t beaten in three years with NO Higgins and NO Boyd and NO Hurst. This is how good teams play in December because they have to. Next man up!

He’ll rub some dirt on it and be back next week.

Least important game left but they could really use a win here, too.

Finally

Bad

Ridiculous