Injury Update: Bengals lose running back for entire 2024 season due to torn patellar tendon
Prior to the start of the 2024 NFL season, the Cincinnati Bengals are dealing with an increasing number of injuries. Defensive end Cameron Sample is already out for the whole 2024 season due to a torn Achilles tendon, wide receiver Charlie Jones was carted off the field, and rookie offensive tackle Amarius Mims will be sidelined for a few weeks with a pectoral injury. Now, running back Chris Evans can be added to the list.
We’ve seen the last of Chris Evans this season
Evans was taken off the field at Cincinnati’s joint practice with the Chicago Bears ahead of their preseason game, and he is projected to miss the whole 2024 season due to a damaged patellar tendon.
Sources: #Bengals RB Chris Evans suffered a torn patellar tendon during today’s practice, and he will miss the entire regular season.
Just a devastating blow for the former Michigan star, who was having a strong camp with Cincinnati. pic.twitter.com/Q4oJ4nDMr8
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 16, 2024
This is a major setback for Evans, who was vying for a spot on Cincinnati’s running back depth chart. He was expected to be the fourth back behind Zack Moss, Chase Brown, and Trayveon Williams. With his absence, those snaps will need to be redistributed.
Additionally, Evans is in the final year of his contract and will be an unrestricted free agent next offseason, raising the possibility that he may have played his last game for the Bengals. While the team might consider re-signing him, it is not certain.
Drafted in the sixth round (202nd pick) of the 2021 draft, Evans has participated in 34 games with the Bengals over the past three seasons. He has accumulated 188 receiving yards, 89 rushing yards, and three touchdowns. Evans has also been a regular on special teams, participating in over half of the team’s special teams plays last season.