Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon was placed on the injured reserve list Saturday afternoon, despite having been listed as “day-to-day” earlier in the week by head coach Zac Taylor, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network is reporting.
The #Bengals have placed RB Joe Mixon on Injured Reserve.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 21, 2020
Mixon has missed the past three games for the Bengals, last suiting up against the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 18. In being placed on the IR with what is being described as a foot injury, the halfback will be required to miss another three weeks before being eligible to return in mid December against the Dallas Cowboys.
A fourth-year back out of the University of Oklahoma, Mixon had entered the season with high hopes for his partnership with former top overall draft pick Joe Burrow. A mainstay of the Bengals' offense since being drafted in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft, Mixon had accumulated 119 rushes for 428 yards and three touchdowns to start the year.
Perhaps more encouraging for Cincinnati however, was his improved performance as a receiving target. After only gaining 287 receiving yards in 16 games last season, Mixon had already earned 138 yards and touchdown through the air in six games this year, on 21 receptions.
In his absence, the Bengals have relied on a pair of backs in Giovani Bernard and Samaje Perine to fill their void at the halfback position. Though neither boast the explosiveness Mixon has come to provide, the two have kept the running attack afloat, averaging a solid 112.7 rushing yards over the last three contests. Against the Washington Football Team Sunday afternoon, the two will be facing a defense ranked in the bottom third of the league at stopping the run.
With Saturday's announcement, the Bengals now know they wont have their star back to help them take advantage.
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