Bengals CB Cam Taylor-Britt's job may've been saved due to the extreme misfortune of his teammate
Sunday night was a chaotic evening for the Cincinnati Bengals' defensive backfield. After getting torched by Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half, defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo made the decision to bench starter Cam Taylor-Britt for the second time this season, continuing the nightmarish season he's had in 2024. Taylor-Britt was replaced […]
Sunday night was a chaotic evening for the Cincinnati Bengals' defensive backfield. After getting torched by Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half, defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo made the decision to bench starter Cam Taylor-Britt for the second time this season, continuing the nightmarish season he's had in 2024.
Taylor-Britt was replaced by rookie Josh Newton, the team's fifth-round pick from this year's NFL Draft. Newton played a season-high 51 snaps on the boundary as he remained in the game and made two impressive pass breakups.
With the way Newton stepped up off the bench, it could've been the nail in the coffin for a struggling Taylor-Britt who failed to deliver when needed. The third-year cornerback did make it back onto the field, however, thanks to an injury that may keep him off the bench for good this year.
DJ Turner II injury update bodes well for Cam Taylor-Britt
On the penultimate play of the third quarter, cornerback DJ Turner II deflected a deep pass intended for Chargers wideout Quentin Johnson and fell hard on his right shoulder. Turner would end up missing the remainder of the game, and the news is only getting worse.
Per NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Turner is feared to have suffered a fractured clavicle, which would take him out for the final six games of the season.
Turner emerged as a starter last month after Dax Hill suffered a season-ending injury of his own. The two battled for the gig opposite of Taylor-Britt during the offseason with Hill coming out on top during the preseason.
The Bengals will now be without both of them to close out a frustrating season and have no choice but to keep giving Taylor-Britt chances at redemption.
Had Turner exited the game healthy, there was a good chance that Newton had shown enough to take Taylor-Britt's job away and keep the former second-round pick on the bench. Turner had proven worthy of staying on the field, and Newton made a strong first impression with extended playing time.
Newton will have to stay on the field now, as will Taylor-Britt. The depth just doesn't exist at the position anymore. DJ Ivey is the only healthy backup remaining on the active roster. Micah Abraham, Nate Brooks, and Jalen Davis are potential practice squad call-ups in the waiting, but none of them are answers as a starter.
The Bengals will soon make an official announcement on Turner's injury. Whether or not he misses the rest of the season, his injury just gave life to Taylor-Britt's future right when it looked completely bleak.
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