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Week 17 Saturday Night Football Broncos vs. Bengals Injury Report: Who’s in, Who’s out?

Natasha Bose

Broncos vs. Bengals Week 17 injury updates

Saturday Night Football in Week 17 brings a high-stakes matchup between the Denver Broncos and the Cincinnati Bengals. With playoff aspirations on the line, injuries could significantly shape this game’s outcome. Below, we break down the key injuries for each team and their potential impact on this crucial clash.

Broncos vs. Bengals Injury Report

Game Time: Saturday, Dec. 28 | 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati
TV: NFL Network | Stream: fubo

Bengals Injuries

  • Joe Burrow (QB): Limited Participation (Right Wrist/Knee)
  • Tee Higgins (WR): Limited Participation (Ankle/Knee) – Questionable
  • Amarius Mims (OT): Limited Participation (Ankle/Hand) – Questionable
  • Geno Stone (S): Did Not Participate (Illness) – Questionable
  • Sam Hubbard (DE): Did Not Participate (Knee) – Out
  • Sheldon Rankins (DT): Did Not Participate (Illness) – Out

Key Absences:
The Bengals face uncertainty with wide receiver Tee Higgins, whose absence could significantly hamper their offense. The loss of Sam Hubbard and Sheldon Rankins weakens Cincinnati’s defensive front, putting pressure on Trey Hendrickson and the secondary to step up.

Broncos Injuries

  • Tyler Badie (RB): Full Participation (Back) – Questionable
  • Jaleel McLaughlin (RB): Limited Participation (Quad)
  • Riley Moss (CB): Full Participation (Knee)

Key Absences:
Denver’s injury report is less concerning, but the questionable status of running back Tyler Badie adds a layer of uncertainty. The Broncos need all hands on deck to handle Cincinnati’s improving turnover-hungry defense.

Key Storylines

When the Bengals Have the Ball

Cincinnati’s offense has leaned heavily on Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and a depleted supporting cast. Protecting Burrow will be critical, especially against Denver’s pass rush, led by Nik Bonitto and Jonathan Cooper. The Bengals will need standout performances from role players like Andrei Iosivas and Mike Gesicki if Higgins is unavailable.

When the Broncos Have the Ball

Bo Nix must limit turnovers to give the Broncos a chance against a Bengals defense that thrives on takeaways. Cincinnati’s secondary, led by Geno Smith, will look to capitalize on mistakes. Denver could exploit the Bengals’ struggles against tight ends with Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull.

Cincinnati Bengals – Injury Report

PlayerPositionInjuryTueWedThuGame Status
Jordan BattleSHandFPFPFPUnspecified
Orlando BrownOTFibulaLPFPFPUnspecified
Joe BurrowQBRight Wrist/KneeLPLPLPUnspecified
Tee HigginsWRAnkle/KneeLPLPLPQuestionable
Sam HubbardDEKneeDNPDNPDNPOut
Tanner HudsonTEKneeDNPDNPDNPDoubtful
Charlie JonesWRGroinLPLPLPQuestionable
Amarius MimsOTAnkle/HandLPLPFPQuestionable
Joseph OssaiDEIllnessDNPDNPQuestionable
Sheldon RankinsDTIllnessDNPDNPDNPOut
Geno StoneSIllnessDNPQuestionable

Denver Broncos – Injury Report

PlayerPositionInjuryTueWedThuGame Status
Tyler BadieRBBackFPFPFPQuestionable
Troy FranklinWRAnkleFPFPFPUnspecified
Jaleel McLaughlinRBQuadLPFPFPUnspecified
Riley MossCBKneeFPFPFPUnspecified

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Image: Imagn

I write about sports because, well, it brings in the big bucks! I’m not some lifelong analyst or stats guru, truth being told, you’ve probably never heard of me!—I just know how to research, write, and make things sound good. That’s the job!
Got into sports media the same way most people do: by (fortunate) accident. Started with SEO writing, took on a few sports gigs, and now here we are! I cover games, trades, player drama—whatever needs words.
Favorite part? The chaos. One day it’s a blockbuster trade, the next it’s a goat running onto the field. Never boring.
Message to readers: If you want deep analysis, there are people for that. If you want sharp, no-BS writing that actually makes sense, stick around.

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