The Cincinnati Bengals will travel to the Empower Stadium at Mile High to face the Denver Broncos in Week 4’s Monday Night Football showdown.
Starting 2-1, the Bengals were humbled last week, losing 48-10 against the Minnesota Vikings. Backup quarterback Jake Browning stepped in for franchise quarterback Joe Burrow. The offense has been inconsistent so far, but wide receiver Tee Higgins could be a key factor in Denver, having excelled against the Broncos last season. Alongside Ja’Marr Chase, Browning must target both playmakers if the Bengals hope to bounce back.
Denver, meanwhile, needs to rebound quickly after back-to-back defeats, including a heartbreaking 23-20 loss to the Chargers. But second-year QB Bo Nix has a history of bouncing back after consecutive losses: he’s gone 3-0 in these situations. He will be paired with an in-form running back, J.K. Dobbins, and the duo could create a challenging night for the Bengals’ defense.
So, who will be on the field and who will be inactive when these two teams square off on Monday Night Football?
Inactive List for Bengals vs. Broncos
In a massive blow for Cincinnati, veteran tight end Noah Fant has been ruled out of Week 4 due to concussion protocol and did not practice all week. Rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart will miss another game.
Meanwhile, with Joe Burrow expected to miss at least three months after a toe surgery, Browning will start his second game. Here are the inactives for tonight’s matchup:
Cincinnati Bengals
- TE Noah Fant
- DE Shemar Stewart
- WR Jermaine Burton
- DT McKinnley Jackson
- DT Howard Cross
Denver Broncos
- RB Jaleel McLaughlin
- DL Jordan Jackson
- QB Sam Ehlinger
- LB Que Robinson
- TE Lucas Krull
- OT Frank Crum
Starters for Bengals and Broncos
Cincinnati Bengals
Offensively, Cincinnati has to contend with a major injury at TE. As a result, these are the Bengals players who will take the field:
- QB Jake Browning
- RB Chase Brown
- WR1 Ja’Marr Chase
- WR2 Tee Higgins
- WR3 Andrei Iosivas
- TE Mike Gesicki
- LT Orlando Brown Jr.
- LG Dylan Fairchild
- C Ted Karras
- RG Dalton Risner
- RT Amarius Mims
Trying to get back on the right track, the defense for the Bengals will feature:
- LDT T.J. Slaton Jr.
- RDT B.J. Hill
- LDE Joseph Ossai
- RDE Trey Hendrickson
- SLB Demetrius Knight Jr.
- WLB Shaka Heyward
- MLB Logan Wilson
- LCB DJ Turner II
- RCB Cam Taylor-Britt
- FS Geno Stone
- SS Jordan Battle
The special teams, a constant highlight for the team, will feature:
- LS William Wagner
- H Ryan Rehkow
- K-FG Evan McPherson
- K-KO Evan McPherson
- P Ryan Rehkow
- KR Charlie Jones
- PR Charlie Jones
Denver Broncos
The Broncos’ offense will hope for an explosive outing at home. Here’s who will take the field from Denver:
- QB Bo Nix
- RB J.K. Dobbins
- WR1 Courtland Sutton
- WR2 Marvin Mims Jr.
- FB Adam Prentice
- TE Evan Engram
- LT Garett Bolles
- LG Ben Powers
- C Luke Wattenberg
- RG Quinn Meinerz
- RT Mike McGlinchey
A defense that’s been underwhelming and blown two fourth-quarter leads so far, will see these players take the field:
- NT D.J. Jones
- LDE Zach Allen
- RDE John Franklin-Myers
- LOLB Jonathon Cooper
- ROLB Nik Bonitto
- LILB Alex Singleton
- RILB Justin Strnad
- LCB Pat Surtain II
- RCB Riley Moss
- FS Brandon Jones
- SS Talanoa Hufanga
Their special teams unit will feature:
- LS Mitchell Fraboni
- H Jeremy Crawshaw
- K-FG Wil Lutz
- K-KO Wil Lutz
- P Jeremy Crawshaw
- KR Marvin Mims Jr.
- PR Marvin Mims Jr.
