NFL
Colts - Bengals injury report for NFL preseason week 3: Murphy, Mims, and Downs
Indianapolis and Cincinnati will play their preseason game two weeks before the start of the regular season, and these players have injury problems.
As the Bengals prepare for their final preseason game, head coach Zac Taylor must decide how much playing time, if any, to give cornerbacks Dax Hill and DJ Turner. The Colts are expected to play their starters, which might tempt Taylor to give his defensive backs more reps.
But let’s see who is questionable for the Thursday night matchup.
Cincinnati Bengals players with problems, but nothing major
Defensive end Miles Murphy will miss Thursday night’s game due to a non-contact knee injury suffered during practice. Fortunately, it’s a knee sprain, not as severe as initially feared. Although he won’t play in Thursday’s preseason finale, there’s a chance he could be ready for Week 1.
Meanwhile, McKinley Jackson, another defensive player on the mend, progressed. During Tuesday’s practice, he was seen in a knee brace but moved around without crutches. His improvement is a positive sign for the team’s defensive depth.
During the preseason, Amarius Mims suffered a strained pectoral muscle and is expected to miss a few weeks. Reports indicate that Mims could be back as early as Week 2, but the severity of Mims’ injury has been talked up, and it would not be shocking to see Mims miss more time.
RB Chris Evans, who had a chance to step up in Cincinnati’s backfield after Joe Mixon’s departure, will miss the entire 2024-25 season due to a torn patellar tendon.
Colts only without Downs
Wide receiver Josh Downs sustained a tough high ankle sprain, which is known for its difficulty in recovery and impact on performance.
However, the Colts can now breathe a massive sigh of relief, as Downs’ injury is not as severe as initially expected. He is anticipated to make a comeback in Week 2, providing an important boost to the team.