Dylan Fairchild reveals his true toughness, but the Bengals now face a potential dilemma with their rookie starter
Fairchild is dealing with an injury after Cincinnati’s latest loss.
Cincinnati Bengals rookie left guard Dylan Fairchild is dealing with left leg injury following the club’s Week 5 loss to the Detroit Lions.
Fairchild was seen walking around the Bengals’ locker room Monday with a “noticeable limp” and a brace on his left knee, per WLWT’s Jaron May.
Fairchild suffered the injury against the Lions and missed one play because of it. Dalton Risner filled in for the rookie at LG, and Fairchild returned to finish the game. That’s quite the feat for a rookie in his fifth-ever game.
The adrenaline has worn off, and now with a brace to help him move around, there’s going to be some doubt if Fairchild can play in Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers. The contingencies are also not set in stone as of yet.
Dylan Fairchild Quick Facts
- Fairchild was drafted by the Bengals with the 81st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
- He is one of five rookie guards to have played and started the first five weeks of the season.
- The 22-year old has allowed 14 pressures and one sack in 196 pass-blocking snaps according to Pro Football Focus.
What will the Bengals do if Dylan Fairchild misses time?
An injury to either Fairchild or starting right guard Jalen Rivers puts Risner back into the starting lineup as of right now. Risner, who started two games earlier in the season, is the first guard off the bench with Cody Ford backing up both tackle spots and Matt Lee backing up center.
Cincinnati can add another option to the mix this week by designating Lucas Patrick to return off the Reserve/Injured list.
Patrick was placed on IR with a calf injury leading up to Week 2 and has missed the minimum requirement of four games. If he’s ready to practice again, he can start this week and the club will have 21 days to activate him to the roster from the time of his designation.
Elevating Jaxson Kirkland off the practice squad is the other likely option if Fairchild can’t play and Patrick isn’t ready. Kirkland would give the offensive line eight players to work with on Sunday against Green Bay, and he would back up both guard spots like Risner is doing now.
Fairchild’s name will be one of a few to watch for when the Bengals release their first injury report Wednesday.
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