(12-19-2022, 01:19 PM)BengalsBong Wrote: We do not rotate much our starters on the D-line play a lot of snaps Hub Hendrickson Reader and Hill. So, our backups only get play time when a starter needs a breather or is injured so a lack of experience for our depth guys is going to be an issue. I would like to see more of a rotation to keep our guys fresh for 3rd and 4th quarters when their O-line gets winded.

We need to find more pass rush so maybe this will end up helping our team in the long run if some of the depth shines like Ossai Tufele Sample or Gunter. As well as give the coaches confidence in these guys to play them in a rotation when Hendrickson and Hubber get back.

What you say is true, but we do rotate some, especially inside. I think we wanted to mange Ossai's snaps coming off the injury. 

For reference, Bell has played nearly 99% of all defensive snaps: 891 for Vonn. 

Hubbard: 735 (81.49%) 
Hill: 706 (78.27%)
Hendrickson: 587 (65.08%) 
Carter: 351 (38.91%) 
Reader: 316 (35.03%) 
Sample: 315 (34.92%) 
Ossai: 253 (28.05%) 
Tupou: 239 (26.50%) 
Tufele: 138 (15.30%) 
Gunter: 31 (3.44%)

Reader, Tupou, Gunter, Hendrickson, and now Hubbard have all missed multiple games. 

(12-19-2022, 01:38 PM)Au165 Wrote: I'd be putting in a claim for Terrell Lewis even though I am not sure we could get him.

I liked Terrell Lewis coming out of Alabama. I'm surprised he hasn't done a little more. As to signing him it's a good idea and he kinda fits the Bengals type.

I say it for the 2nd week in a row. Get Takk McKinley in here

(12-19-2022, 01:25 PM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote: CTB and Hilton have already both said they’re playing next week.

Man oh Man does this help!!

4 weeks takes us through round 1 of the playoffs

#Bengals DE Sam Hubbard is going to miss a few weeks due to his calf injury, as @TomPelissero first reported.

A source tells me the timeline is between 2-4 weeks.

The Bengals have three games left to play: @ NE, vs. BUF, vs. BAL

— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) December 19, 2022

(12-19-2022, 01:37 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: I've been waiting for Ossai to have a breakout game for well a while now. Here's his chance

Ossai, has been disappointing for me this year.  Still getting his mojo back from last year's injury.  Let us hope light comes on during last stretch of games and he is a force.  

One thing Zac Taylor does better than any coach in recent memory, as a Bengal Fan, is players will run through walls for him.  They love ZT. The coaches seem to get the best out of low ceiling high floor skilled players. 

OK who in the hell is in charge of calf conditioning? They need to be fired now!

This kind of sounds like a similar calf issue that Hurst is going through. Kind of crazy its happened to both of them.

For those like me who aren't doctors, what is a typical calf injury? Muscle pull, ligament strain ??? Any calf specialists out there?

With Hubbard and Hendrickson out, it's time for Ossai, Sample, and Gunter to step up.
BJ Hill also has played some DE in the past, although he's too big to do so full-time, IMO.
Zach Carter played all over the DL in college, so we might see him get more playing time.

Hopefully the Bengals can still clinch a playoff berth while their main edge guys are out so it's less worrisome if the depth guys don't perform as well during this stretch.

(12-19-2022, 03:05 PM)Science Friction Wrote: For those like me who aren't doctors, what is a typical calf injury?  Muscle pull, ligament strain ???    Any calf specialists out there?

Muscle pull, strain or tear. I would imagine it's a strain being out 2-4 weeks.

I'm worried that injuries are going to ultimately be our kryptonite as this season winds down. Hope not.

(12-19-2022, 03:43 PM)Science Friction Wrote: I'm worried that injuries are going to ultimately be our kryptonite as this season winds down. Hope not.

But it's great to see them not lose much in the short term with backups at least until these guys can get healthy. Alot of teams this year have not fared so well.

If we have to lose a bunch of guys to injury this is the side of the ball I’d prefer it happen. Lou is a mad scientist with his adjustments.

FWIW, according to spotrac, we have $184k in cap space.

If we sign someone new, even to a pro-rated contract, it likely outs us iver, or very close to over. And that is assuming there is no dead cap number in the guy who gets released to make room.

Unless it is a situation where we are putting a guy on IR,,I do mot see a new signing. And since we likely only have room for one, I think we will wait to make it until we absolutely have to/we lose someone for the year. If we burn our 1 move now and then lose someone later, we are screwed.

So I think we will roll with Sample, Ossai, & Gunter at DE. Maybe see some of Carter at DE. And see more of Tupou & Tufele this week. And more 3 man fronts on passing downs. Also I'd expect a callup from the PS at DE.

Next man up. Try to hold the fort until Trey & Sam get back. Hopefully CTB & Hilton & Davis are all good to go this week. I thought George played pretty well, again, last week.

Looking through FA and practice squads I think there are options.

Terrell Lewis can have claims put in on him after being cut last week.

Tak McKinley is on DAL PS and has had some success as a rotational rusher lately
Wyatt Ray who spent some time with us last year is on DEN PS
Jeremiah Attachou is on LAC PS and has a lot of experience has a 3-4 OLB
Quincey Roche is on NYG PS and is a younger guy who many thought has some upside in draft
Kemoko Turray is on SF PS and had solid production in IND over previous 4 years producing 11.5 sacks.

(12-19-2022, 04:23 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: FWIW, according to spotrac, we have $184k in cap space.

If we sign someone new, even to a pro-rated contract, it likely outs us iver, or very close to over.  And that is assuming there is no dead cap number in the guy who gets released to make room.

Unless it is a situation where we are putting a guy on IR,,I do mot see a new signing. And since we likely only have room for one, I think we will wait to make it until we absolutely have to/we lose someone for the year. If we burn our 1 move now and then lose someone later, we are screwed.

So I think we will roll with Sample, Ossai, & Gunter at DE. Maybe see some of Carter at DE. And see more of Tupou & Tufele this week. And more 3 man fronts on passing downs. Also I'd expect a callup from the PS at DE.

Next man up. Try to hold the fort until Trey & Sam get back. Hopefully CTB & Hilton & Davis are all good to go this week. I thought George played pretty well, again, last week.

A Joe Bachie or a Clay Johnston would be a likely cut in place of anyone signed. We actually have plenty of flexibility if needed to swap out guys with non guaranteed contracts at one position for another.

I don't know how they could be comfortable going into the Baltimore game with the division on the line and potentially asking DT's to play edge and keep contain. I think they need to add one additional body that could so if needed.

(12-19-2022, 01:05 PM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote:

#Bengals DE Sam Hubbard is expected to miss a few weeks because of the left calf injury he suffered Sunday, per source. The hope is Hubbard – who has started every game and has 6½ sacks this season – can make it back for the playoffs.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 19, 2022

Damn, this hurts big time. Sam does so much for our Defense, cannot replace him.

Still mad about the Colts swiping Kareem.

(12-19-2022, 04:50 PM)Dean_Gilberry95 Wrote: Still mad about the Colts swiping Kareem.

Yeah, I still like Ossai, Sample and Gunter but Kareem would be nice to have right now...