Bengals’ Orlando Brown Jr. Dealing with a broken leg; Chase Brown is suffering from an ankle sprain

The Bengals came out on top in an overtime thriller Saturday, keeping their playoff chances alive. However, two key members of their offense are far from healthy.

Left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. played all 90 offensive snaps for Cincinnati during tonight’s game, one that marked his return to the lineup. Brown had been out since Week 13, and his availability was welcomed by a Bengals team that needed to win to have a chance at a wild-card spot. However, Brown said after the contest that his fibula is broken in two places (h/t ESPN’s Ben Baby).

It’s a pretty remarkable revelation considering the severity of broken bones and the lack of time such injuries often cause. Brown wasn’t charged with a sack or pressure allowed in pass protection by PFF, however, a sign of how effective he was able to be Saturday despite the injury. Having him available for another must-win contest would be crucial for Cincinnati in Week 18 against the Steelers.

However, the Bengals’ backfield could be short-handed in that contest. Running back Chase Brown was injured late in the fourth quarter and did not return to the game. Head coach Zach Taylor said (via NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero) the condition is an ankle sprain, but the severity is unknown at this time. Missing Brown for the regular season finale would deal a notable blow to Cincinnati’s rushing attack.

Since Zack Moss was lost for the year in November due to a neck injury, Brown has assumed managerial duties. The second-year rusher produced at least 94 scrimmage yards in every contest since the one Moss was injured during Saturday’s action. Brown has scored 11 total touchdowns in 2024 after recording just one as a rookie. The 24-year-old Canadian’s absence would thus be sorely missed if he were to be on the sidelines in week 18.

If Brown can’t play against Pittsburgh, Cincinnati would turn to trade acquisitions Khalil Herbert to carry out RB1 tasks. Of course, being shorthanded at the running back position would also lead to an increased reliance on the quarterback Joe Burrow and the team’s dynamic passing attack. In any case, updates on both Orlando and Chase Brown will be worth following closely given the Bengals’ status as postseason hopefuls.