After two weeks of the 2024 NFL season, it is painfully apparent that the depth at the defensive tackle position is nonexistent for the Cincinnati Bengals. After starting the season without their two rookies, the team has essentially been limited to three-technique tackles B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins to hold down the fort on the defensive interior. After both of those players left the game with hamstring injuries during the Week 2 matchup with Kansas City, there is certainly a last man standing vibe on this defensive front.
Cincinnati Bengals Growing Desperate at Defensive Tackle
After the injuries to their two starting defensive tackles, Cincinnati went out and signed 34-year-old three-technique Lawrence Guy to bring some depth but this team is desperate to find two quality starters this week. Luckily, rookie Kris Jenkins Jr. has been listed as limited after missing the first two weeks of the season with thumb surgery. Even with the injury, Jenkins will likely make his first NFL start at nose tackle during his first active regular season game at the NFL level this week against Washington along with Guy at the three-technique position.
Jenkins has shown at the collegiate level and in the weight room that the Michigan product has a unique blend of raw strength and athleticism that makes him a potent threat in the trenches for Cincinnati. Already this offseason, the team has been showing his weight room exploits all over social media as he has rightfully earned the nickname “the Mutant”. Jenkins was interviewed this week, being asked about whether or not he’d be able to play with a cast on his injured thumb.
Kris Jenkins Jr. says he played half the season last year at Michigan without vision in his right eye from Acanthamoeba Keratitis infection. So playing with club on his right hand isn’t as big a deal. pic.twitter.com/YzPgREWHwo
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) September 20, 2024
Based on his story of playing with a serious eye injury, Jenkins has plenty of the grit necessary to play through an injury. In his first game in the starting lineup, Jenkins will be playing against a relatively mediocre guard-center combination for the Washington Commanders in guards Nick Allegretti, Sam Cosmi and center Tyler Biadasz.
As of now, Jenkins is listed as limited but based on hs interview, it certainly looks like he is amping up to play on Monday. Jenkins will be the first rookie on the roster to start a game this season and will likely play for much of the game considering the only depth pieces on the roster now are Jay Tufele and Zach Carter, who also exited the game at one point against the Chiefs on Sunday. It is safe to say that Cincinnati cannot afford any injuries on the defensive line during the game against Washington.
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So far this season, the lack of depth at the defensive tackle position has seriously hindered this teams ability to stop the run. Regardless of the outcome, it will be interesting to see how Jenkins can make plays at the NFL level.
