Bengals clear rookie RB Chase Brown to practice

The post-Joe Burrow roster for the Cincinnati Bengals is taking shape as seven games remain in the regular season.

For starters, more help is coming to the offense as rookie running back Chase Brown has been cleared to practice. Brown has been on the Reserve/Injured list since October 28 when he hurt his hamstring in the days leading up to Cincinnati's Week 8 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

Brown has 21 days to be activated to the active roster, and could be as early as this week. Until then, he may practice with the team without counting against the roster.

The Bengals can absolutely use Brown's talents at the running back position, especially while starting Jake Browning at quarterback. The run game will be leaned on with Joe Mixon leading the charge, so having proper depth behind him will be crucial. Brown's pass-catching abilities can also be put to the test as Mixon may be used less in that area due to prioritize him as a runner.

Burrow's injury also opened up the door for QB Drew Plitt to be signed to the practice squad. A first-year player out of Ball State University, Plitt was a college free agent signee of the Bengals in 2022. He played in two preseason games that year before being waived.

This past offseason, Plitt worked out for the Bengals following Burrow's calf injury during training camp but did not sign with the team. He now becomes the third healthy quarterback in the building.

Plitt will replace G Jaxson Kirkland on the Practice Squad as Kirkland has been placed on the Practice Squad/Injured list. Kirkland, a rookie out of the University of Washington, will miss time with a wrist injury.

Expect Plitt to stay on the practice squad and AJ McCarron to be signed to the active roster once Burrow is officially placed on the Reserve/Injured list.