The Cincinnati Bengals will need to rely on rookies more than usual during the critical Week 13 showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor revealed on Friday that starting defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins won’t be able to play against the Steelers due to a viral illness, according to ESPN’s Ben Baby.
Rankins was a surprise inactive before the Week 11 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers after a late viral illness made him unable to go. After the bye, the illness unfortunately will continue to cause him to miss time.
With Rankins out against a Steelers team that would love nothing more than to run often, rookies Kris Jenkins Jr. and McKinnley Jackson will once again be asked to step up big in the rotation with B.J. Hill.
As for Rankins, he joined the Bengals in free agency last year on a two-year deal, though there’s an out the team could utilize next offseason.
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