The Bengals are taking steps to address their offensive line issues. On Monday, Cincinnati added center Jacob Bayer to its practice squad.
Bayer, 22, is an undrafted rookie out of Arkansas State. He spent the offseason and training camp with the Bills before being waived in August as part of final cuts.
Backup Center Lands on IR With Knee Issue
Bayerâs arrival comes as backup center Matt Lee continues to deal with a knee injury. Lee, a 2024 seventh-round pick out of Miami, will miss at least three more games after landing on injured reserve last week.
Lucas Patrick has handled backup duties behind Ted Karras, but heâll face more competition from the 6-foot-3, 306-pound Bayer, who has yet to log a snap this season.
Guard Dalton Risner (illness) has also missed time. Fortunately, the Bengals are on a bye in Week 10, so Risner will have extra time to recover ahead of an AFC North rematch against the Steelers in Week 11.
Bengals’ Defense Has Become a Point of Contention
Offense hasnât been an issue for the Bengals in recent weeks. In four games with the Bengals, Joe Flacco has thrown for 1,254 yards and 11 touchdowns compared to only two interceptions. Despite averaging 32.7 points during that span, Cincinnati is just 1-3.
The overarching concern is the Bengalsâ defense, which ranks dead last in the NFL in both yards per game (426.6) and scoring (33.3).
Things have gotten so bad that running back Chase Brown called out the defense in an expletive-filled rant following Sundayâs 47-42 loss to the Bears, which dropped the Bengals to 3-6 on the season.
âWeâve just got to play complementary football,â Brown said, via James Rapien of BengalsTalk.com. âWhen we put the ball in the end zone at the end, finish the (freaking) game. Just end it. ⦠Thatâs what we need to do, just end the (freaking) game. Make them get us the ball back, let us (freaking) go to 22-victory (formation) and letâs end the game.â
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