Bengals beat writer Geoff Hobson gets the sense that the Cincinnati Bengals are looking to go bigger for a complement to lead back Chase Brown this offseason with Zack Moss' (neck) status unclear. Brown played big as a three-down back in 2024 after Moss' injury and racked up an impressive 1,350 scrimmage yards on 283 touches while also protecting quarterback Joe Burrow, but offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher wouldn't mind another big and physical back to help Brown out. "The easy answer is Chase isn't the biggest guy, so maybe if you have an opportunity to add a bigger back with a little more power repertoire to his game, that size helps you in protection," Pitcher said. The 24-year-old Brown finished as the RB12 in half-PPR scoring in 2024 thanks to his workhorse role, and although he should remain the lead back in a high-scoring offense, fantasy managers should expect some regression.
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (ankle) has been ruled out for the Week 18 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The plan was for Brown to workout pre-game and attempt to suit up for this contest. The Bengals have decided to play it safe and hold out Brown for the regular season finale. The 24-year-old suffered an ankle injury last week and is still feeling sore coming into Saturday's game. Khalil Herbert figures to see a bulk of the carries with Brown unable to play. Herbert is worth a look as a cheap DFS option for this weekend's slate.
Chase Brown Needs To Improve To Have A Shot At Playing On Saturday
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said that Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (ankle) is "very sore" and "needs to improve greatly" in order to have a shot at playing on Saturday in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Brown suffered a mild high-ankle sprain in the Week 17 win over the Denver Broncos and is questionable to play in a must-win game on Saturday. The 24-year-old will be a game-time decision this weekend, but it's sounding like he might be on the wrong side of questionable. He's having a career year with 990 rushing yards and seven touchdowns while adding 54 catches for 360 yards and four more TDs in 16 games, but Brown is shaping up as a risky RB2 in fantasy in Week 18. If he's active, he could be limited by his ankle. If he's out, Khalil Herbert would have a high floor with RB2 upside.
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (ankle) will be a game-time decision for Saturday's Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Head coach Zac Taylor said, "We'll see," when asked about Brown's status this weekend. Brown will almost certainly be listed as questionable on Thursday's final injury report after he did not practice all week following a mild high-ankle sprain in the Week 17 victory over the Denver Broncos last Saturday. The 24-year-old has been a top-12 fantasy RB this year, but anyone still playing for something in redraft leagues might have to look elsewhere at the position this week. If active, Brown could cede more work to backup Khalil Herbert and could be less productive in a tough matchup on the road against one of the better defenses in the NFL. Herbert will have RB2 upside on volume alone if Brown is ruled out.
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (ankle) is not practicing with the rest of the team on Thursday, but he was seen working out with trainers on the side. Brown suffered a mild high-ankle sprain in last Saturday's overtime win over the Denver Broncos and hasn't been able to practice with the rest of the team all week. It remains to be seen how he'll be listed on the team's final Week 18 injury report on Thursday, but at the very least, Brown will likely be questionable to play on Saturday in a must-win divisional clash in Pittsburgh against the Steelers. Coming into Week 18 action, the 24-year-old has been a must-start fantasy RB as Cincy's backfield workhorse -- he's the RB11 in half-PPR scoring -- but he could be limited or out this weekend. If Brown cannot go against Pittsburgh, Khalil Herbert would be the Bengals' RB1 in a tough matchup.
For the second straight day this week, Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (ankle) was not seen at practice on Wednesday. Brown also missed the team's walkthrough session on Tuesday, although his DNP on Wednesday is more important. The 24-year-old reportedly suffered a mild high-ankle sprain late in the overtime win over the Denver Broncos on Saturday in Week 17. The Bengals are hoping that he will be available for a must-win divisional clash in Week 18 against the Pittsburgh Steelers this Saturday, Brown's availability is very much up in the air after two DNPs so far this week. He's probably going to need to practice on Thursday to avoid being ruled out entirely. Brown has been a do-it-all workhorse in Cincy's high-octane offense in 2024 and has been a must-start in fantasy lineups. However, backup Khalil Herbert could be forced into starting duties against the Steelers on Saturday.
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (ankle) was listed as a non-participant during Tuesday's walkthrough practice as the team begins preparing for a big must-win Week 18 showdown against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday. Brown suffered a mild right high-ankle sprain in Saturday's overtime victory over the Denver Broncos. The Bengals are hopeful that the 24-year-old will be available as their lead back in the regular-season finale, but there's no guarantee that will happen if Brown can't practice much this week. Through 17 weeks, Brown has been the RB11 in half-PPR scoring thanks to 990 rushing yards and seven rushing scores on 229 carries. He's added 54 receptions for 360 yards and another four TDs through the air, making him a must-start in fantasy on a weekly basis. If he cannot go this Saturday in a tough matchup, Khalil Herbert would be Cincy's RB1.
Bengals "Hopeful" Chase Brown Can Play This Saturday
The Cincinnati Bengals are hoping that running back Chase Brown (ankle) will be able to play in a must-win game in Week 18 against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday after he sprained his ankle in last Saturday's thrilling overtime victory over the Denver Broncos to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. "Chase Brown is a special player, and I think he's got a bright, bright future in this league as one of the top backs, really in anything you ask him to do," offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said. "And so, obviously, we're hopeful that we're going to have him. And I know he's going to work really hard to be able to be out there for us." If Brown is unable to go, the Bengals have confidence that Khalil Herbert can fill the void after rushing the ball four times for 23 yards in relief of Brown in Week 17. If Brown is active, he'll be a must-start in fantasy lineups for those still playing for hardware in their leagues.
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (ankle) underwent an MRI on Sunday morning and has been diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain, according to Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Schultz notes that Brown is "determined to try to play in Cincinnati's must-win Week 18 game against Pittsburgh, but his availability will depend on how he progresses throughout the week." The 24-year-old picked up the injury on a red-zone rush attempt during the fourth quarter of Saturday's win over the Denver Broncos. Brown is a low-end RB1 whenever he's healthy. If he can't suit up next week, Khalil Herbert would step up as the Bengals' starter, ranking as a high-end RB3.
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (ankle) was forced to exit late during Saturday's win over the Denver Broncos. He twisted his ankle and needed the help of the training staff to get off the field. Luckily, Brown appears to have avoided serious injury and has a chance to suit up for the Week 18 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It's a must-win game for the Bengals, so Brown is going to do everything he can to get back on the field. If he sits, Khalil Herbert figures to see a majority of the carries in the backfield, so he's worth keeping an eye on for fantasy managers who have games in Week 18.
Chase Brown
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Bengals
