The Cincinnati Bengals kept their playoff hopes alive in Week 17 with a thrilling 30-24 overtime victory over the Denver Broncos. However, they had to make a difficult roster decision involving veteran defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins on Monday, which will strain their defense moving forward.
After a strong 2023 season with the Houston Texans, Rankins signed a two-year deal with the Bengals in free agency to help strengthen their interior defensive line. Unfortunately, he has played in only seven games due to a hamstring injury and a viral illness. The viral illness has sidelined Rankins for the past six games, and he does not appear close to returning. Consequently, the Bengals ended Rankins’ season early by placing him on the reserve/non-football illness list on Monday, just ahead of their Week 18 game.
“We have placed DT Sheldon Rankins on the Reserve/Non-Football Illness list,” the Bengals announced on X, formerly known as Twitter.
We have placed DT Sheldon Rankins on the Reserve/Non-Football Illness list. pic.twitter.com/YnZ3g7JGuA
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 30, 2024
Not every free agency move pans out, and it’s clear that Rankins did not meet the Bengals’ expectations this season. Playing only seven games is disappointing, and during that time, Rankins had minimal impact, recording just 18 tackles and one sack. This is a stark contrast to the six sacks he achieved in 2023, which was arguably his best season. Cincy’s defense has struggled this season, with Rankins’ inability to stay on the field contributing to the unit’s overall issues.
The positive news for Cincinnati is that they are still in contention, as they have received decent production from their interior defensive line in Rankins’ absence. B.J. Hill and McKinnley Jackson have stepped up to fill the two starting spots, and they have managed to perform reasonably well. While the Bengals have rallied with a four-game win streak to keep their season alive, they must win again in Week 18 against the Pittsburgh Steelers to have any chance at claiming the AFC’s final wild card spot.
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