The Bengals will receive a rough injury update on their key defender ahead of Week 13 against the Steelers

The Cincinnati Bengals will have to rely on rookies more than usual in their crucial Week 13 showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

According to ESPN’s Ben Baby, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor announced Friday that starting defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins will not be able to play against the Steelers due to a viral illness.

Rankins was surprisingly inactive prior to the loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 11 after a late viral illness kept him out. Unfortunately, after saying goodbye, the illness will continue to cause him to miss time.

With Rankins facing a Steelers team that would love nothing more than to run often, rookies Kris Jenkins Jr. and McKinnley Jackson will once again be asked to step up in a big way with BJ Hill in the rotation.

As for Rankins, he joined the Bengals in free agency last year on a two-year deal, although there is an opt-out that the team could use next offseason.

More breaking news!

The Bengals are being urged to target an underrated name in 2025 NFL free agency

Bengals’ Joe Burrow has high praise for the unexpected rookie QB

The NBA superstar isn’t giving up on Joe Burrow and the Bengals just yet

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: The Bengals receive a rough injury update on their key defender ahead of Week 13 against the Steelers