The 2-4 Cincinnati Bengals enter their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night looking to win their first game since Week 2. The Bengals have not won since Joe Burrow was placed on injured reserve for a toe injury.
Cincinnati looked much better with Joe Flacco in Week 6 against the Green Bay Packers than they had with Jake Browning under center in the previous three weeks. The Bengals offense could take another step in Flacco’s second game with the team, following his trade from the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 7.
However, the Bengals will be down a key target for “Thursday Night Football.”
Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Cincinnati placed tight end Mike Gesicki on injured reserve following a pectoral injury he suffered in the Week 6 defeat to Green Bay.
“Bengals placed TE Mike Gesicki on injured reserve due to a pectoral injury,” Schefter posted on X.
Gesicki recorded eight receptions for 61 yards through the first six games.
The Bengals need to pull the upset of the Steelers to stay in the race for the AFC North. Led by four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh is 4-1.
The Bengals have leaned on receiver Ja’Marr Chase this season. He leads the team in receiving with 42 receptions for 468 yards and four touchdowns.
On Sunday, Chase explained the significance of Thursday night’s game.
“Just the rankings we got going on right now,” Chase said. “We know the Steelers are going to try to come in and raw dog us and kill us. But we going to be ready for that challenge and we going to be waiting for it.”
With Gesicki out for at least the next four games, Cincinnati will need the tandem of Chase and Tee Higgins to have big outings for Flacco to keep their ever-slimming hopes for the postseason alive.
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