In a devastating blow to the Cincinnati Bengals running back depth for the upcoming 2024 season, Chris Evans suffered a season-ending injury that has left a hole in the team’s lineup. This unexpected turn of events has raised questions about who will step up to fill the void left by Evans’ absence.
During the offseason, the Bengals made significant changes to their running back room. Joe Mixon, a long-time running back and former second-round pick, was traded away in exchange for a seventh-round pick. To bolster their depth, the team brought in Zack Moss, a former player for the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills, in free agency. At the top of the depth chart are Moss and second-year back Chase Brown, but the loss of Evans has left a gap behind them.
The injury occurred during a joint practice between the Bengals and the Chicago Bears as they prepared for an upcoming preseason matchup. Despite the challenging conditions of the practice, the real focus was on the injuries sustained by several players. In addition to Evans, Trent Brown and D’Ante Smith also suffered setbacks during the practice session.
Evans, a sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, has shown promise but struggled to establish himself as a consistent contributor. With limited playing time, he has accumulated only 89 rushing yards and no touchdowns on 19 carries in his three seasons with the team. As a receiver, he has managed 19 receptions for 188 yards and three touchdowns. Evans also handled returning duties, averaging 22.4 yards on 14 kick returns.
The loss of Evans leaves a void in the competition for the third running back position on the roster, a battle that was primarily between Evans and Trayveon Williams. Williams, who missed his rookie season due to injury, has had limited opportunities but has shown potential. In his two seasons with the Bengals, he has rushed for 307 yards on 62 carries and caught 15 passes for 74 yards. Williams has also made an impact as a kick returner, averaging 23.1 yards on 28 kick returns.
With Williams potentially filling the RB3 spot, the Bengals have two undrafted free agent backs, Elijah Collins and Noah Cain, competing for a place on the roster. Collins, who began his college career at Michigan State before transferring to Oklahoma State, has shown promise with 1,506 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. Despite a quieter season at Oklahoma State, where he rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns, Collins brings depth to the Bengals’ backfield.
As the Bengals navigate the uncertainty in their running back depth chart, the competition for roster spots intensifies. The injuries to key players have highlighted the need for depth and for players like Williams, Collins, and Cain to step up and seize their opportunities in the wake of Evans’ unfortunate injury.
