Sports Editor
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The Cincinnati Bengals will not have two of their best offensive linemen for their AFC divisional playoff game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
Left tackle Jonah Williams and right guard Alex Cappa have been ruled out for the game, leaving the team with only three reserves on the offensive line. This comes as a further blow as right tackle La’el Collins has been out since Week 16 with a torn ACL in his left knee.
According to Bengals coach Zac Taylor, the offensive line unit has been showing strong communication and attention to detail as they prepare for the loud and boisterous home-field advantage of the Bills.
“I thought they did a good job,” Taylor said. “I think they are ready to go and take advantage of their opportunities.”
With the absence of Williams and Cappa, Max Scharping and Jackson Carman will fill in at the right guard and left tackle positions respectively. They have been present at the team’s facilities throughout the week but were unable to participate in practice as they recuperated from their injuries.
When questioned about their long-term status, Taylor only stated that both will still be examined once a week.
Since suffering a left ankle injury in the Week 18 victory against the Baltimore Ravens, Cappa will miss his second game. Earlier in the week, Cappa was seen riding a push scooter while wearing a protective boot on his left ankle.
Williams, who dislocated his kneecap in last weekend’s wild-card victory over Baltimore, was not wearing any mobility aids when he was seen in the locker room on Wednesday. Despite this, Taylor confirmed that Williams’ recovery remains a week-to-week status.
According to Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, the team has strategies in place to assist their offensive line when they take on the Bills’ defensive line. Cincinnati needs to protect quarterback Joe Burrow so he has time to throw the ball.
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