David Chao, MD
2 min read • January 09, 2023
Posted in
The Bengals are the third seed in this year’s NFL playoffs, but their record (12-4) didn’t come without a couple of injuries.
Right guard Alex Cappa left the team’s Week 18 game against the Ravens with a knee injury and did not return to action.
By video, Cappa suffered a high-grade MCL sprain at minimum, according to the Pro Football Docs. He could also have damage to other ligaments in his knee.
Cappa is expected to miss the Bengals’ entire playoff run, according to our panel of doctors.
This will be the second offensive line injury the team has suffered in the last two weeks. Right tackle La'el Collins went down with a Torn ACL.
Look for the Bengals to start Hakeem Adeniji at right tackle and Jackson Carman at right guard.
But the trio of Ja'Marr Chase (hip), Tee Higgins (concussion), and Joe Mixon (concussion) have all come back from injury.
Chase has looked good and had at least 60 yards in every game since returning from injury. Higgins has just two catches total in his last two games, and Mixon has just 125 combined rushing yards in his previous four games.
On the defensive side of the ball, cornerback Chidobe Awuzie suffered a season-ending knee injury on Halloween.
But defensive linemen Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson have returned from injury. Both will be available for the team’s playoff matchup versus the Ravens.
The Baltimore Ravens made it to 10-7 after superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson missed the last five games with a PCL injury suffered against the Broncos. Jackson has yet to practice fully since suffering the injury.
There has been no indication that Jackson will miss the Ravens’ playoff matchup against the Bengals, but there has been no public indication that his injury has healed.
If Jackson returns it will be without Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay, who are both on the injured reserve list.
Jackson will have tight end Mark Andrews, whos recovering from a shoulder and knee injury.
The Ravens’ defense started the season very slow, with Marcus Peters, Marcus Williams, Marlon Humphrey, and David Ojabo battling injuries. But the defense has gotten healthier as the season’s progressed.
Also, the Ravens’ defense has been boosted by the trade deadline acquisition of Roquan Smith. The team has given up 16 or fewer in six out of their last eight games.
The Bengals are favored by 6.5 points at home, and the over/under is 43.5, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
This season, our staff went 53.3% on live bets and 50.2% on player props.
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Written by David Chao, MD
#Bengals RG Alex Cappa appeared to suffer a severe left knee injury on this play Analysis on his chances to return in the #NFL playoffs⏩bit.ly/3Xio6qC
