Bengals LT Orlando Brown Jr. speaks on his injury, chances of playing vs. 49ers
Due to their bye week, the Cincinnati Bengals returned to practice on Monday after having all of Week 7 off. Starting left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. was one of the few players to not practice, but the four-time Pro Bowler does expect to practice this week and eventually play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. "Yeah, […]
Due to their bye week, the Cincinnati Bengals returned to practice on Monday after having all of Week 7 off.
Starting left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. was one of the few players to not practice, but the four-time Pro Bowler does expect to practice this week and eventually play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.
"Yeah, probably," Brown answered about expecting to suit up in Santa Clara six days from now. "I don't know what the plan is necessarily, I gotta talk to them still, but I feel great though so we'll see."
The vibes are good, but confirmation is needed. Brown and the Bengals have Tuesday off before practices picks back up again on Wednesday. Brown told reporters after missing Monday that utilizing both days leading up to the normal practice schedule was the intention.
Whether or not Brown suits up for Wednesday, he'll have two other days to make an impression on the training and coaching staff. He's undoubtedly had success in that arena before he ever got to Cincinnati.
Brown is very much an ironman in the modern NFL at a tough position to remain durable. The only game he's missed since becoming a starter during his rookie season in 2018 was in 2021, when the Kansas City Chiefs were on the road to face none other than the Bengals. 6,213 snaps taken in 97 career games, now in the heart of year six.
Impressive resiliency and toughness for an offensive tackle. When Brown says he'll probably play, you can bet on probably being an understatement. But crazier things have happened (or didn't!).
When Brown missed the final 17 snaps of the game two Sundays ago, former Oklahoma teammate Cody Ford filled in for him at left tackle and managed to survive. Seattle's pass rush is very good. San Francisco's is usually dominant, though they were snuffed out by an impressive blocking unit rostered by the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football.
In the even Brown doesn't go, you have to wonder what the plan would be. Does Jonah Williams go back to his old spot and Ford fills in at right tackle? Would Jackson Carman or D'Ante Smith get a legitimate look? Or would Ford sticking at left tackle be the easiest way to ride the storm?
Whatever the plan is, the Bengals will hope it's not put into place.
Zac Taylor sets the tone for Bengals coming off bye week
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