2 min read • January 31, 2022
Posted in
Bengals:
The Bengals are playing in their first Super Bowl since 1988, but are at a distinct injury disadvantage in the trenches.
Key run stopper Larry Ogunjobi was lost to a foot injury in the Wildcard Round, leaving veteran defensive lineman B.J. Hill to fill in.
While Hill has played well – and got a key interception against the Chiefs – the Bengals have been gashed by running backs the last two games.
They allowed 140 rushing yards to the Titans and 139 rushing yards to Kansas City after having the fifth-best run defense during the regular season.
Cincinnati also has health issues on the right side of the offensive line.
Hakeem Adeniji and Isaiah Prince are filling in for starting right guard Xavier Su’a-Filo and starting right tackle Riley Reiff.
Su’a-Filo suffered a significant knee injury Week 2 and was recently released with an injury settlement. Reiff suffered an ankle injury Week 14 and remains on injured reserve.
Adeniji was briefly replaced by rookie Jackson Carman last week against the Chiefs, but seemed to regain his job late in the game.
Expect to see Aaron Donald and Von Miller target the right side on the pass rush.
Cincinnati allowed 9 sacks to the Titans, then just 1 sack to the Chiefs. They averaged 3.5 sacks allowed during the regular season, worst in the league.
C.J. Uzomah’s status is the situation to watch this week for the Bengals after he suffered an MCL sprain, and possibly further ligament damage, in the win over the Chiefs. Backup Drew Sample is primarily a blocking tight end and doesn’t have the versatility that Uzomah has in the passing game.
ProFootballDoc, Dr. David Chao, projects that Uzomah faces an uphill battle to be ready for Super Bowl LVI.
Rams
The Rams have all five starting linemen intact, although left tackle Andrew Whitworth is battling through an MCL sprain and an ankle injury.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford also suffered an MCL sprain, although it was minor, in the win over the 49ers. His mobility will likely be limited, but he will still be effective because he is primarily a pocket passer.
Los Angeles starting running back Cam Akers has recovered quicker than expected since tearing his Achilles tendon last July, but he still isn’t 100% and doesn’t have his usual burst.
Akers also suffered a left shoulder AC joint sprain in the win over the 49ers, but returned to play after likely receiving a numbing injection.
We expect him to play against the Bengals, but he will likely have a limited catch radius and could have issues with ball security.
Darrell Henderson, who started the season in place of Akers, will likely get activated off IR for the Super Bowl and should be in the mix with Sony Michel for carries. Henderson has not played since suffering an MCL sprain Week 16.
Rams tight end Tyler Higbee suffered a knee injury in the win and may not be available for the Super Bowl. Chao said Higbee has a better chance to play than Uzomah, but will have limited mobility if he does suit up.
Rookie tight end Kendall Blanton, who had 5 catches for 57 yards in the win over the 49ers, would start if Higbee can’t play.
On defense, the Rams could get two key starters back from IR and free safety Taylor Rapp will likely return for the first time since his Week 18 concussion.
Slot cornerback Robert Rochell and starting nose tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day had their practice windows opened two weeks ago and the Rams will have to decide this week if they want to return either player to the active roster.
Rochell had an unknown chest injury Week 13 and will likely be activated and healthy for the Super Bowl. Joseph-Day will have a tough time playing effectively while recovering from the torn pectoral he suffered Week 7.
J.J. Watt famously returned from that injury with a similar timeline, but he was significantly limited in his playoff return two seasons ago.
Check out the matchup fieldview for Super Bowl LVI at: https://sicscore.com/nfl/games/los-angeles-rams-vs-cincinnati-bengals
Written by
