The Cincinnati Bengals will have to rely on rookies more than usual in the crucial Week 13 showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
According to ESPN, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor announced Friday that starting defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins will not be able to play against the Steelers due to a viral illness .
The loss to the Los Angeles Chargers after a late viral illness prevented him from playing. Unfortunately, after saying goodbye, the illness will continue to cause him to miss time.
With Rankins facing a Steelers team that would love nothing more than to run often, rookies Kris Jenkins Jr. and McKinnley Jackson will once again be asked to step up in a big way with BJ Hill in the rotation.
As for Rankins, he joined the Bengals in free agency last year although there is an exit that the team could use next offseason.
