The Cincinnati Bengals’ 26-25 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday wasn’t just a blow to their record—it exposed a critical weakness that could impact the team for weeks to come. Already thin at defensive tackle, the Bengals lost both starting tackles, B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins, to hamstring injuries, putting their defensive line in a dire situation.
B.J. Hill ruled out with the hamstring
— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) September 15, 2024
.@KetteringHealth Injury Update: DT Sheldon Rankins has a left hamstring injury. He has been declared out.
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) September 15, 2024
Hill exited the game immediately, while Rankins attempted to play through his injury but eventually had to leave the field. With both of their starting defensive tackles sidelined, Cincinnati now faces a bleak outlook heading into Week 3. This is compounded by the fact that rookies Kris Jenkins Jr. (thumb injury) and McKinnley Jackson (knee injury) are also unavailable, leaving the Bengals with a dangerously depleted rotation at the position.
Head coach Zac Taylor didn’t provide any updates on Hill or Rankins after the game but promised more information soon. “We’ll find out more tomorrow,” Taylor said, leaving the team and its fans anxiously awaiting the status of two key defenders.
Zac Taylor with no further update on the severity of Sheldon Rankins and BJ Hill’s hamstring injuries pic.twitter.com/syuBNIZUY6
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) September 15, 2024
The loss of Hill and Rankins forced reserves Zach Carter and Jay Tufele into action for the remainder of the game. Despite their best efforts, the Chiefs were able to exploit the Bengals’ weakened defensive front. Kansas City running back Isiah Pacheco racked up 90 yards on 19 carries, while rookie Carson Steele chipped in with 24 more yards. With an elite interior offensive line of Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, and Trey Smith, the Chiefs were well-equipped to pound the ball up the middle, taking advantage of Cincinnati’s battered defense.
While the Bengals’ defense held up relatively well considering the circumstances, the pile of injuries at the defensive tackle position has now reached critical levels. With Jenkins and Jackson already out, the losses of Hill and Rankins mean that Cincinnati’s defensive line depth is essentially non-existent. Carter and Tufele, already pushed into larger roles, will now be leaned on even more heavily.
It’s clear that the Bengals need to act. They could promote one or both defensive tackles from the practice squad—Domenique Davis and Justin Rogers—next week if Hill or Rankins can’t go. However, given the mounting injury list, Cincinnati may also need to explore trade options or scour the free-agent market for reinforcements, though the team historically avoids midseason trades until just before the deadline.
Despite the defensive struggles and a heartbreaking 0-2 start, there were signs of progress in Cincinnati’s performance. However, the loss of depth along the defensive line is a serious concern. If the Bengals can’t shore up the middle of their defense, it could continue to be a problem for both their run defense and overall defensive effectiveness in the coming weeks.
As the Bengals head into Week 3, their season might depend not just on bouncing back from two close losses but on finding ways to address a defensive line that has been decimated by injuries.
