Cincinnati Bengals Backfield Questions Linger Going Into Bye Week

Cincinnati is searching for answers on offense during the bye week.

CINCINNATI — The Bills were scheduled to host running back Leonard Fournette for a visit on Tuesday according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The meeting was canceled and the former Pro Bowler will wait for a better opportunity. 

Fournette is a Super Bowl Champion, has played in big games and could help a contender

He appeared to be a good fit for the Bengals. They could use another established back on the roster behind Joe Mixon. 

The trio of Chase Brown, Trayveon Williams and Chris Evans have combined for 38 yards on nine rushing attempts during the first six games of the season. 

Mixon is on pace to play 802 snaps, which would be the most of his career by a wide margin. His current career-high 697 snaps in 2021. Mixon is averaging 3.8 yards-per-carry this season. 

Finding another backfield option to keep him fresh throughout the season should be a priority during the bye week. 

"We get what's blocked a lot. We don't get a lot more than that," Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan said on Monday. "Sometimes we get our four and five yards and we're OK with that most of the time, but it makes it hard to run for a lot of yards when you run like that."

NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero says Fournette is in great shape and is ready to help a team. 

If the Bengals don't think that the answer is on the roster, then pursuing a proven back like Fournette would make sense. Making a move during the bye week would also make sense. 

If the Bengals don't bring anyone in, they could be banking on Brown to contribute in the second half of the season. 

They took Brown in the fifth-round (163rd overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft. He's only been on the field for eight offensive snaps this season. 

Trayveon Williams and Mixon have been solid in pass protection, but finding a second option to carry the ball should be a priority for the Bengals ahead of their Week 8 matchup with the 49ers.  

Update: I’m told Leonard Fournette’s visit with the #Bills is being scratched.

My understanding is Buffalo was expecting to lose RB Ty Johnson from their practice squad, which was the reason they were bringing Lenny in.

But Johnson is now staying, and Lenny will wait for a… https://t.co/P1SfuIykxX

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 17, 2023

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