Bengals depleted defense looks to add to impressive run by stopping impressive runs – The Athletic

The worse things get at linebacker for the Bengals, the better they are in the secondary. Attrition in one room, addition in the other. But its hardly a zero-sum game, especially this week when preparing to face a Ravens offense that stresses linebackers more than others.

One of the key pieces to defensive coordinator Lou Anarumos game plan for the Bengals 41-17 triumph at Baltimore in Week 7 was playing a lot of 4-3 base defense, relying on Akeem Davis-Gaithers speed alongside starters Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt to help limit Ravens quarterback Lamar Jacksons ability to run on first down and then letting the defensive line tee off on second and third and long, as its done all year.

But Davis-Gaither was lost for the season due to a foot injury against the Browns. Wilson will miss his third consecutive game due a shoulder injury suffered against the Chargers, while backups Jordan Evans (knee, Week 5) and Joe Bachie (knee, Sunday at Denver) are out for the year.

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Bengals depleted defense looks to add to impressive run by stopping impressive runs - The Athletic