The Bengals will still need to see how the week goes, but perhaps there is some hope both starting tackles could be available for a big game Saturday. Cincinnati (7-8) has to beat Denver (9-6) to keep its slim playoff hopes alive.
Mims has been on the injury report in recent weeks with an ankle issue that hadn’t kept him from playing, but he went to the medical tent late in the second quarter Sunday and tried to go back in, but eventually was shut down early in the third quarter. Devin Cochran replaced him for the remainder of the game.
Cody Ford has been filling in at left tackle with Brown out six of the last seven games. Brown returned in Week 13 from the lower leg injury that has impacted him throughout the second half of the season, but he re-aggravated it that game in a loss to the Steelers and has missed the last three.
“I feel good about him getting back into work,” Taylor said.
Taylor also said Tee Higgins and Joe Burrow were fine after injury scares Sunday, for Higgins with his lower leg, and in recent weeks for Burrow with a sore knee.
However, the sixth-year coach didn’t have as positive of an update on defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins. Last week, it sounded like Rankins was slowly working back with trainers, following an extensive viral illness, but Taylor said he doesn’t anticipate him playing this week
Asked if he thinks Rankins is done for the season, Taylor said, “we’ll see.” Rankins has played just seven games this season, last appearing in the 35-34 loss to Baltimore on Nov. 7. He traveled to the game against the L.A. Chargers on Nov. 17 but became ill the day before and needed testing.
On Tuesday, Rankins was in the locker room with his teammates but he’s rarely been seen in recent weeks. Taylor has not said anything more about his condition.
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