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The Bengals rule out offensive lineman Alex Cappa and Jonah Williams ahead of the highly anticipated playoff game against the Buffalo Bills … which could leave quarterback Joe Burrow at risk
The Cincinnati Bengals will be without three of their starting offensive linemen in this weekend’s highly anticipated NFL divisional round playoff matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
Left tackle Jonah Williams and right guard Alex Cappa were officially ruled out this week, while right tackle La’el Collins was sidelined with a torn ACL suffered in Week 16.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor said the offensive line’s communication and level of detail has been most encouraging as Cincinnati prepares for Buffalo’s loud and rowdy home crowd.
Joe Burrow will play behind three of Cincinnati’s reserve offensive linemen this weekend
Bengals guard Alex Cappa gets help from Cincinnati medical staff to get off the field against the Ravens.
“I thought they did a good job,” Taylor said of the group’s synergy. “I think they are ready to go and take advantage of their opportunities.”
Cincinnati’s offensive line will need all the synergy in the world and maybe even a little luck to not only hold off the Bills’ front seven, but more importantly, to make sure the Bengals’ offense doesn’t repeat itself. last year’s playoff disaster.
During last year’s divisional playoff roundup matchup against the Tennessee Titans, Burrow was sacked a playoff-record nine times. This came in the middle of a season in which Burrow took a league-leading 70 sacks.
This was in line with history for most of Burrow’s short tenure in Cincinnati, as the team has struggled to protect him to an astounding level despite his ability to remain extremely productive.
Jonah Williams clutches his leg in pain after hurting himself against the Ravens
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor thought the offensive line “did a good job” in practice this week.
Burrow’s rookie season with the Bengals ended after he tore his left ACL and MCL as Cincinnati’s offensive line struggled to protect the former LSU standout.
As a rookie, Burrow took 72 hits in nine games, tied with Giants QB Daniel Jones for a rookie QB in his first nine games since 2000.
Before this weekend’s contest, right guard Max Scharping and left tackle Jackson Carman continued to work at those respective positions with Williams and Cappa out all week.
However, Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan said injuries don’t change much for his players.
“It doesn’t really change how we go through our week and how we play,” Callahan said earlier in the week. “We just know that we will have time and place to help guys when they need it.”
Cincinnati’s inability to protect Burrow resulted in a serious knee injury once before.