After having one of the worst offensive lines in the entire NFL last season, Cincinnati Bengals worked hard to revamp that struggling offensive line during the offseason. But unfortunately for the team, it looks like they will be back at square one for the biggest game of the season so far as most of that offensive line will be out for Sunday’s Division Round playoff game against the Buffalo Bills.
The Bengals lost star offensive tackle La’el Collins for the season back in December after he suffered a season-ending injury on Christmas Eve, and the team will be without two more offensive line starters on Sunday as NFL insider Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that both left tackle Jonah Williams and right guard Alex Cappa will miss this week’s game.
Bengals ruled out LT Jonah Williams and RG Alex Cappa for Sunday’s Divisional Playoff vs. the Bills.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 20, 2023
“Bengals ruled out LT Jonah Williams and RG Alex Cappa for Sunday’s Divisional Playoff vs. the Bills,” Schefter said in a tweet.
Cappa suffered an ankle injury during the final game of the regular season against the Baltimore Ravens while Williams suffered a dislocated kneecap during last week’s Wild Card round game and is considered “week to week.”
It’s horrible news for a Bengals team that built a brand new offensive line specifically to protect star quarterback Joe Burrow in these moments, and the NFL world had plenty to say about it on Twitter.
The Bengals will be WITHOUT THREE starters in their offensive line on Sunday. https://t.co/rMDabMjKTq
— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) January 20, 2023
Seen a lot of people ask why the Bengals are +5.5. This is why. Down 3 starters on the offensive line. https://t.co/Vq7DAZrkei
— Thomas Casale (@TheTomCasale) January 20, 2023
Not surprising news, but it's now official 👇 The market was already expecting this, hence the Bills out to -5.5, so no movement on this news. https://t.co/jmmkZI0jvC
— ACL-Sports.com®–Sports Investor (@TheRealMrACL) January 20, 2023
Uh, oh. Burrow’s going to have to get the ball out in 0.6 seconds. https://t.co/5vhrPu7Jzs
— Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) January 20, 2023
Defensive line has to look like this. #BillsMafia https://t.co/O9Ma2P9dCw pic.twitter.com/OH6rl7Wkii
— Adam (@adampensel) January 20, 2023
It will be a tough task, but Joe Burrow addressed the injuries earlier this week, expressing that he has confidence in whoever plays on the offensive line for the Bengals. But it’s still more misfortune for the Bengals, who are also unlucky enough to have to play this game in Buffalo. Even though the canceled Damar Hamlin game affected Cincinnati’s ability to earn the No. 2 seed in the playoffs, the NFL made no accommodations for the Bengals and gave nearly no explanation as to why.
It’s safe to say the Bengals will be facing some adversity on Sunday.
