Broncos should make an effort to test Bengals rookie starter while he's playing through injury
For the Denver Broncos to win as road underdogs on Saturday, they must do whatever it takes to contain the high-powered Cincinnati Bengals' passing attack. That's easier said than done considering how well quarterback Joe Burrow is playing right now.The best way to stop Burrow is to prevent him from throwing the ball, and the […]
For the Denver Broncos to win as road underdogs on Saturday, they must do whatever it takes to contain the high-powered Cincinnati Bengals' passing attack. That's easier said than done considering how well quarterback Joe Burrow is playing right now.
The best way to stop Burrow is to prevent him from throwing the ball, and the best way to do that is breaking through his offensive line to force throwaways and create sacks.
Fortunately for Denver, one of Cincinnati's best pass blockers will be playing through an injury.
ESPN Bengals beat writer Ben Baby told ESPN1530's Austin Elmore Thursday that rookie Bengals right tackle Amarius Mims has a broken right hand and will be playing through it against the Broncos.
Mims was listed on the Bengals' injury report all week due with both an ankle and hand injury. He suffered the ankle injury last Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. The hand injury was not officially announced by the team during the game.
Playing with a broken hand is nothing new for NFL players. It's common for defensive linemen to wrap their hand so much to the point where it becomes a club. It's much harder for offensive linemen to operate without the full use of one of their hands.
If Mims only has the use of his inside hand, Broncos edge defender Jonathon Cooper should know exactly where to attack him. Cooper primarily rushes off the left side of Denver's front, which means he'll go against Mims for most of the afternoon in Cincinnati. Cooper is one sack away from eclipsing his career high of 8.5 he set last season.
On the other side of the line, Bengals left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. is making his return from a fibula injury that sidelined him for six of Cincy's last seven games. Nik Bonitto and his 11.5 sacks on the year will be able to test early on just how healthy Brown is in his first game back.
Should Bonitto and Cooper find success early on, it could be a long day for the home team in a must-win matchup.
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The Broncos need that to help this game go their way.
