Last year was a lost season for the Cincinnati Bengals, mostly due to the calf and wrist injuries that ravaged star quarterback Joe Burrow and limited him to 10 games.
When at full strength, the Bengals have been legitimate Super Bowl contenders over the past few years, but right now, they’re dealing with the contract situations of wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Now, they have a new problem on offense.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, running back Chris Evans tore his patellar tendon during practice and will be out for the season.
Sources: #Bengals RB Chris Evans suffered a torn patellar tendon during today’s practice, and he will miss the entire regular season.
Just a devastating blow for the former Michigan star, who was having a strong camp with Cincinnati. pic.twitter.com/Q4oJ4nDMr8
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 16, 2024
Evans, a sixth-round draft pick in 2021 out of the University of Michigan, had 17 carries for 77 yards in 14 games as a rookie, and since then has a grand total of 12 rushing yards on two carries.
He played just 12 games in 2022 and eight games in 2023 while being a healthy inactive at times.
Evans has also performed as a kick returner and in 2022 returned 10 kickoffs for 211 yards.
With Joe Mixon, who had been Cincinnati’s starting running back for the previous six seasons, now a member of the Houston Texans, the Bengals were counting on prospects such as Evans to pick up the slack in the backfield.
Their starting running back is slated to be Zack Moss, a free agent signing who last season ran for 794 yards and five touchdowns for the Indianapolis Colts while helping to fill in for injured Jonathan Taylor.
NEXT:
Nick Wright Says Bengals Should Be Rushing To Pay 1 Player
