Khalil Herbert is set to take the reins as the starting running back for the Cincinnati Bengals this Week 18 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. With Chase Brown sidelined due to an ankle injury, Herbert's performance will be closely observed as it impacts both his future and the Bengals’ playoff ambitions.
According to Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site, "Bengals RB Chase Brown is inactive, which means Herbert will get the start in Week 18 against the Steelers." This opportunity arrives at a pivotal moment as the Bengals need to secure their playoff positioning. The stakes are high, which makes this not just any game for Herbert, but perhaps the biggest audition of his professional career.
Since being traded to the Bengals earlier this season, Herbert has had little opportunity to showcase his talent, recording only eight carries for 45 yards. Averaging 5.6 yards per carry suggests he possesses the skills needed to make plays when called upon. His path to becoming the lead back will not include easy competition, though, as the Bengals currently face limited options. Besides Herbert, the other available running backs include Trayveon Williams, who has not seen any touches this season, and undrafted rookie Kendall Milton, who has appeared just once.
This lack of depth makes it increasingly likely Herbert will perform as the primary option out of the backfield. "Considering Cincinnati’s other available RBs on Saturday are Trayveon Williams (no touches in 16 games) and undrafted rookie Kendall Milton (one appearance this season), Herbert appears poised to operate as a workhorse for a high-powered offense," Hobson stated.
Despite the challenging matchup against the Steelers' defense, Herbert has been viewed as more than just a fill-in. Game strategy will be significant; with the Bengals notoriously passing more than running, there are questions about how many opportunities Herbert will actually see. Still, Herbert is noted as being intriguing as Cincinnati gears up for this must-win matchup. The potential for him to evolve as the 'bell-cow' back has fantasy owners paying attention, especially as Herbert steps onto the field as someone to note for this finale. "This makes him a very interesting fantasy option and the clear pivot for Brown," said another source.
Though fantasy projections are often optimistic, they also come with concerns. If Herbert is expected to replicate Brown's previous workload, those expectations might lead to disappointment. Since Brown played over 80 percent of the snaps prior to his injury, there’s uncertainty over how much of his role Herbert will curl himself around. Projections indicating Herbert’s potential for 5.6 fantasy points this week merely reflect the complexity of the situation.
The stakes extend beyond individual statistics, as the Bengals aim for victory to solidify their playoff run. The Steelers are reeling after inconsistent performances lately; they have allowed significant yardage and points before being held to just 30% success rate against opposing offenses. If the Bengals can exploit these vulnerabilities, Herbert could capitalize on this moment to showcase what he's able to do against the Steelers this Saturday.
It’s no secret Herbert's past fantasy impact led to some high hopes among managers. Once regarded as the presumptive starter for Chicago, he showed flashes of brilliance with several noteworthy fantasy outings. With this opportunity, Herbert not only brings upside potential but also significant risk, considering his current production under the Bengals banner.
Nonetheless, fantasy managers who bet on Herbert need to weigh both the potential reward and the risk involved. This week's matchup against the Steelers could serve as the tipping point for Herbert, marking whether he can reclaim his place as one of the promising young backs to watch. By giving his best effort, Herbert is out to prove he's worthy of more involvement even as the league starts to transition the future with new talent.
Khalil Herbert’s spotlight is set to shine brightly as the Bengals head to Pittsburgh, leading fantasy managers and fans alike to eagerly watch how this pivotal game affects the rest of the season.