Bengals could experience something the Buccaneers are going through and it’s not a good thing
The Cincinnati Bengals have several injuries to be worried about and although Trey Hendrickson, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd lead the headlines, there's one particular pair of injuries being overlooked. The Bengals' top two slot cornerbacks have missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Starter Mike Hilton is dealing with a knee injury while Jalen Davis […]
The Cincinnati Bengals have several injuries to be worried about and although Trey Hendrickson, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd lead the headlines, there's one particular pair of injuries being overlooked.
The Bengals' top two slot cornerbacks have missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Starter Mike Hilton is dealing with a knee injury while Jalen Davis has a hurt thumb. Of course, slot cornerbacks are one of the most important positions in the NFL nowadays and being injured there is always a concern.
But this weekend, it matters even more as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have Chris Godwin at wide receiver. He is Tom Brady's go-to guy as he leads the team in targets and works out of the slot in 75% of his pass snaps.
If Hilton and Davis are out, the Bengals are in trouble. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has put together a very tough and versatile defense but being short those two while also still feeling the effects of Chidobe Awuzie's injury earlier in the year won't be easy.
The Bengals have to look no further than the very own Bucs to realize what that situation looks like. Tampa Bay will likely enter this game without Antoine Winfield -their top slot option- and could also be missing Mike Edwards and Sean Murphy-Bunting (their #2 and #3).
At least, if the Bengals miss their top two guys, the playing field will be even on that front.
Bengals rookie to the rescue?
Many Bengals fans will be hoping for first-round rookie Dax Hill to get the start if Hilton and Davis can't go. The prospect out of Michigan has stayed on the bench with his highest snap count coming versus Cleveland in Week 8 when he logged 28% of the defensive snaps.
Hill was expected to provide a hybrid defender to Cincinnati while specializing as a nickelback. This could be a golden opportunity for the talented defensive back to impress some people.
Neither Mike Hilton nor Jalen Davis have been ruled out but have yet to practice ahead of the Bengals' game against the Bucs. Hill could end up starting if need be.
Featured image via Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
