Cincinnati’s oxcart is in the ditch as the run game sinks to 2.41 yards per carry, a franchise-low pace through three games and 15th-worst since 1970. The reshuffling on the line is under microscope—Risner, Rivers, Ford, and a rookie guard-turned-option—while the passing attack struggles behind Jake Browning. With 5 interceptions and waning explosiveness, the Bengals must decide who they’ll rely on to anchor a turn-and-burn approach or pivot toward a more run-first identity.

Bengals coaches will study 23 late-game snaps to see if Rivers offers better run-blocking than Risner, while the option of Cody Ford looms if the unit needs a jolt. The underlying EPA numbers spell trouble: passing EPA is near the bottom, run EPA middling, and total pressure near the league’s worst. The margin for error is tiny as they face sharper defenses and a sputtering offense.

In short, Cincinnati must balance run and pass to avoid evaporating any season expectations. Until the ground game stabilizes and Browning can operate with fewer mistakes, the team’s outlook hinges on personnel tinkering and smarter game plans from the staff.

Cincinnati's Week 2 injury update centers on Amarius Mims being Limited at practice, with William Wagner listed as Full. The report underscores routine load management for Mims, while Cody Ford stands as the primary swing tackle behind him. Andrew Coker and Javon Foster are also noted as depth options, signaling potential rotational shifts up front as the Bengals face Jacksonville. Fantasy players should monitor practice cues late in the week for any shift in the tackle mix and protection dynamics for Burrow.

If Mims is limited again, Ford’s snap count could rise, impacting protection for Burrow and the run game. The absence of significant ramp-time concerns suggests a measured approach, but any extra workload for Ford could swing short-yardage and pass-protection scenarios. Depth behind the starters remains thin, so late-week updates will matter for fantasy rosters and weekly projections.

Cincinnati elevates Lucas Patrick to the right guard spot for Week 1 against Cleveland, aiming to stabilize the interior for Joe Burrow. Patrick earned the nod with steady camp play and preseason clips, notably a 52.2 PFF grade vs Philadelphia and 70.2 vs Washington, underscoring reliability and experience from 64 NFL starts since 2017.

Patrick’s integration, aided by centers Ted Karras and Orlando Brown Jr., and the work ethic from the room, could raise Cincinnati’s run and pass protection. If Patrick and Dylan Fairchild deliver competent play, the Bengals’ interior line could elevate toward an elite mark, boosting Burrow’s comfort and giving fantasy managers clearer paths to upside for Bengals weapons.

Caleb Etienne was waived from the reserve/IR list by the Cincinnati Bengals ahead of Week 1 against Cleveland, opening a roster slot for veteran Cody Ford who will back up the tackle spots on the 53-man roster. Andrew Coker and Javon Foster were placed on the practice squad, providing depth flexibility for Week 1 and beyond. The move emphasizes immediate depth over projecting development time for Etienne, with Ford stepping into a key swing role.

Etienne, a BYU product and 6'7" developmental tackle, remains a name to monitor as a future option, but the Bengals prioritize Week 1 protection for Burrow. The Browns pose a stern Week 1 test, so depth along the edge and inside the line matters as Cincinnati prepares to deploy a stable, versatile group for the season-opening matchup.