Bengals To Be Without Vontaze Burfict, Leon Hall vs Browns

The Cincinnati Bengals will be without two defensive starters for Thursday’s game against the Cleveland Browns, as injuries will keep LB Vontaze Burfict and CB Leon Hall sidelined.

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The Cincinnati Bengals’ defense has been bad this season, a trend that could continue on Thursday night as both Pro Bowl linebacker Vontaze Burfict and cornerback Leon Hall will miss the critical matchup against the Cleveland Browns.

Burfict remains sidelined following a scope on his left knee last Wednesday. The Bengals expect him to return for next week’s game against the New Orleans Saints. Burfict has played in only five games this season, recording 29 total tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Hall sustained a concussion during last week’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars and is currently on concussion protocol. He had started the first eight games of the season and had 39 total tackles and an interception thus far.

The Bengals will look to rookie Darqueze Dennard to fill Hall’s role, but the team’s first round pick is also hampered with a hamstring injury that kept him out of last week’s game and limited his practice time this week.

Vincent Rey will get another start in place of Burfict. He has 43 total tackles and three passes defensed this season.

Plagued by injuries thus far, the Bengals are ranked 24th in total defense. The loss of Burfict has been a key factor as to why the defense is tied for 30th against the run. Oddly enough, they are tied with the Browns.

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