The Bengals’ secondary will be shorthanded tonight and for an extended stretch beyond that. Cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt was placed on injured reserve Monday, per a team announcement. 
The 2022 second-rounder was already known to be sidelined for Week 13 due to an ankle injury, but today’s news means he will be shut down for at least four weeks. Missing Taylor-Britt will mark a major blow to Cincinnati’s defense given his jump in production in his second season in the league.
The 24-year-old has posted a team-leading four interceptions this season after failing to record one as a rookie. Taylor-Britt has also totaled 10 pass deflections and 46 tackles while improving in coverage. The Nebraska product has allowed a 56.7% completion percentage and an opposing passer rating of 75.1 through 10 games; the latter figure represents a signficant improvement from last season.
Taylor-Britt’s performance has only yielded an incremental uptick in PFF evaluation, but he has established himself as a long-term core member of the Bengals’ defense. The unit has struggled this season, ranking near or at the bottom of the league in a number of categories. Taylor-Britt’s ball production has helped Cincinnati rank top-five in interceptions (12), however, and the team’s pass defense has fared slightly better than its play against the run.
A step back in both departments could be coming with Taylor-Britt sidelined until at least Week 17. The Bengals will move forward with the likes of Chidobe Awuzie, DJ Turner, Mike Hilton and special teamers Jalen Davis and DJ Ivey at the CB spot. The 5-6 Bengals will need a strong finish to the season to keep themselves in postseason contention, but doing so without Taylor-Britt in the fold will make a late-season surge more challenging.