The rookie running back for the Cincinnati Bengals, was injured or sidelined for the majority of the season. Brown carried the ball three times in total, caught three receptions, and missed five games in Cincy’s opening 11 games.
And then, two weeks prior: Oops!
Brown, who last year set a record with a 4.43 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, added much-needed speed to the backfield by sprinting nine times for 61 yards, including a 31-yarder, in a victory over Jacksonville. He added a 54-yard screen touchdown to start the score in the victory over Indianapolis in Week 14. On 11 scrimmage yards including the TD on Sunday, Brown gained 105 yards. According to Next Gen Stats, the running back’s 54-yard touchdown run at a top speed of 22.05 mph was the second-fastest play by a ball carrier this season (DK Metcalf, 22.23 mph).
“We’ve learned he is that fast,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said of Brown, via the Dayton Daily News. “We do the GPS in practice on kickoff return, things like that. He’s had opportunities to show how fast he is. Second fastest? That’s pretty good. He’s a fast guy. Real fast.”
Brown spent one year at Western Michigan before transferring to Illinois in 2019, where he spent four seasons. In his final year with the Illini, the running back gobbled up 1,643 yards and 10 TDs on 328 carries.
“I was more slow-paced (in college),” Brown said. “Once I got to the NFL and working with coach (Justin) Hill, the main thing is using that speed as an advantage. That’s something we were talking about all week. When the opportunity was there, and I saw tons of space, I thought I’m going to turn on the jets. Especially after that big run against Jacksonville, I thought if I could turn on the jets, I could make a big play.”
Regarding Brown, Mixon remarked, “I think he’s stepping in and doing his thing.” “Especially for a rookie, I think he’s doing a terrific job and adding a spark to the group. He’s familiar with the script. He’s doing everything correctly; all we need to do is continue. Because we are mutually dependent, one play you make leads to another. Everyone will require it.
Mixon’s contract situation suggests that Brown may be in the early stages of winning the lead-back position in 2024. Mixon took a pay cut in the offseason to stay in Cincinnati.
The Bengals and Brown will play the Minnesota Vikings on NFL Network on Saturday, December 16, at 1:00 p.m. ET.
