Zack Moss Injury: Cincinnati Bengals running back Zack Moss will be out indefinitely with a neck injury, head coach Zac Taylor announced Monday. Moss, who missed the team’s recent 41-24 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, had been dealing with neck issues that surfaced late last week. After concerns arose on Thursday, the Bengals made the decision to keep him out of Sunday’s game, and Taylor confirmed that there’s currently no set timeline for Moss’s return.
“Hopefully, we’ll have more information this week,” Taylor said, but he didn’t provide a specific update on when Moss could be back on the field.
Moss, who joined the Bengals this past offseason with a two-year, $8 million deal, has been a key player in Cincinnati’s backfield, sharing responsibilities with second-year running back Chase Brown. In his eight games this season, Moss has logged 74 carries for 242 yards and two touchdowns, along with 23 catches for 187 yards and an additional touchdown. His strong presence has been essential for the Bengals’ offensive strategy, especially since they traded longtime running back Joe Mixon to the Houston Texans after signing Moss.
With Moss sidelined, Chase Brown took on a bigger role in Sunday’s game against the Raiders, showcasing his potential as a lead rusher. The 2023 fifth-round pick from Illinois racked up a career-high 27 carries for 120 rushing yards and added a receiving touchdown, totaling 157 yards from scrimmage. Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher praised Brown’s resilience and playmaking ability, noting his skill in gaining yards after contact.
“When you have a guy playing well like that, you want to keep giving him the ball,” Pitcher said, expressing confidence in Brown’s ability to fill in while Moss is out.
Though Brown did suffer a bruised rib in the game, Taylor indicated that it’s a minor injury and shouldn’t affect his status for Thursday’s matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Behind Brown, the Bengals still have veteran Trayveon Williams and rookie Kendall Milton, who recently joined the active roster.
As for the team’s future plans at running back, Taylor emphasized that they’re keeping all options open, saying, “We’re going through the process of seeing what’s available and how we can help ourselves moving forward.”
In other injury news, the Bengals also lost tight end Erick All Jr. for the season due to a torn ACL. All had been a valuable asset in Cincinnati’s offense, contributing 20 catches for 158 yards this season and providing key support in the running game. Taylor expressed disappointment over losing All, who played a significant role in the team’s offensive lineup.
