Bengals make expected Trent Brown injured reserve decision after patellar injury

In Week 3, Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Trent Brown was carted off the field during Monday Night Football because of a torn patellar tendon. Tuesday morning, it was reported by NFL insider Ian Rapoport that he would require season-ending surgery to repair the injury. Saturday, the Bengals made it official by placing Brown on injured reserve, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Cincinnati will call upon 2024 first-round pick, offensive tackle Amarius Mims out of the University of Georgia, to step up in Brown's place. The No. 18 overall pick is 6'8′′ and 340 pounds. He's considered a developmental prospect, but already has the physical traits to hold his own at this level.

Joe Burrow is starting the year well despite the Bengals' 0-3 record. Burrow has passed for 746 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. Protecting Burrow has also not been an issue, especially compared to years past. The Bengals have only allowed 13 QB pressures to start the season, third-fewest in the NFL.

Bengals continuing to protect Joe Burrow while replacing Trent Brown

Some of Burrow's protection stats speak more to his self-preservation and preparedness. He reads defenses, identifies blitzes and finds hot routes at an elite level. So while Mims is coming in a bit raw as a pass-protector, the Bengals are still blessed with a quarterback that has above-average pocket feel.

One concern has been the pass protection of running back Chase Brown, who's still working out the issues in identifying the free man. The Bengals would like to get him more involved on offense, but his presence on the field often tips the team's hand since he's almost exclusively playing on running downs.