Xavier Su’a-Filo has leg injury; Jackson Carman may start vs. Steelers

The Cincinnati Bengals may have a new starting right guard when they face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3.

Today, head coach Zac Taylor revealed Xavier Su’a-Filo has a leg injury and is day-to-day this week. Taylor added that he believes second-round rookie Jackson Carman is ready to go if Su’a-Filo is out.

The Bengals spent the 46th overall pick in this year’s draft on Carman believing he’d be a strong contender for a starting spot this year. However, Carman reported to training camp out of shape and quickly found himself in the dog house.

Carman did have a bounce back of sorts of playing well in the preseason, but it was clear the team favored Su’a-Filo as the starting right guard, hoping that the veteran would be the best option for keeping quarterback Joe Burrow upright.

Unfortunately, Su’a-Filo has been a major weakness thus far, so perhaps giving Carman a chance to show what he’s capable of.

Saying this, having a rookie make his first career start inside a packed Heinz Field isn’t the most ideal of scenarios, but as bad as the currently starting o-line has been, it’s time to see what some of the young guns can do.