The Bengals emerged victorious in an overtime thriller on Saturday, preserving their playoff chances. However, two key members of their offense are anything but healthy.

Left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. played all 90 offensive snaps for Cincinnati in today’s game, one that marked his return to the lineup. Brown had been sidelined since Week 13 and his availability was welcomed by a Bengals team that needed to win to have a chance at a wild card spot. However, Brown said after the competition that his fibula was broken in two places (h/t ESPN’s Ben Baby).

This is quite a remarkable revelation given the severity of broken bones and the time lost such injuries often cause. However, Brown was not charged with a PFF-admitted sack or pressure in pass defense, a sign of how effective he was able to be on Saturday despite the injury. Having him available for another competitive game would be crucial for Cincinnati in Week 18 against the Steelers.

However, the Bengals backcourt could be undermanned for this contest. Run back Chase Brown was injured late in the fourth quarter and did not return to the game. Head coach Zac Taylor said (via NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero) that the condition was an ankle sprain, but the severity is unknown at this time. Brown’s absence from the regular season finale would deal a significant blow to Cincinnati’s rushing attack.

Since Zack Moss After being sidelined for the year in November with a neck injury, Brown has taken over leadback duties. The second-year rusher managed at least 94 scrimmage yards in every contest since Moss was injured the Saturday before the contest. Brown has scored 11 total touchdowns in 2024 after recording just one as a rookie. The 24-year-old Canadian’s absence would therefore be sorely missed if he were to be sidelined in Week 18.

If Brown can’t play against Pittsburgh, Cincinnati would resort to acquiring him through a trade Khalil Herbert to complete RB1 tasks. Of course, undermanning at the running back spot would also lead to greater reliance on the quarterback Joe Burrow and the team’s dynamic passing attack. In any case, updates on Orlando and Chase Brown will be kept an eye on considering the Bengals are a postseason hopeful.