A cart transported Trent off the field during the Bengals’ loss to the Commanders on Monday night, and the veteran tackle will not return this season.
Trent Brown suffered a patellar tendon tear, as reported by NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, and he is set to undergo season-ending surgery. While a full recovery is expected, he is on a one-year contract and has a history of injuries, paving the way for Amarius Mims to take over as the starting right tackle in Cincinnati.
The Bengals signed Brown to a one-year, $4.75 million deal in March, initially viewing him as high-end insurance after selecting Mims in the first round. However, with Mims sidelined due to a pectoral injury during training camp, Brown started the Bengals’ first three games, switching back to right tackle after previously playing on the left side with the Patriots.
Despite the Bengals’ 0-3 start, Mims made his NFL debut Monday night, stepping in for Brown and logging 39 offensive snaps in the loss. Mims was originally slated to be the starting right tackle before his injury, but now he will join Orlando Brown Jr. as a long-term tackle duo for the team.
At 31, Trent Brown has faced numerous health challenges throughout a successful career. Since entering the 49ers’ starting lineup late in his rookie season, he has missed 36 games, although he has played full seasons in 2016, 2018, and 2022. Injuries and weight issues have been recurring themes in his career.
The Patriots benefited from acquiring Brown through a trade with the 49ers in 2018, quickly making him their starting left tackle. He was instrumental in helping the Patriots win their sixth Super Bowl title that season and later signed a record four-year, $66 million deal with the Raiders. After a Pro Bowl season in 2019, Brown’s career was marred by injuries, including a severe COVID-19 illness that led to him missing 11 games in 2020. He returned to the Patriots in 2021, playing well but proving unreliable in the latter part of his tenure.
Last season, some within the Patriots organization felt Brown may have prioritized free agency over returning from injury during a difficult 4-13 campaign. Following an injury-riddled stretch, he entered a tepid free agency market, prompting the Bengals to take a chance on him after releasing swing tackle Jackson Carman in August.
Given Mims’ recent injury history and the Bengals’ need for depth, it wouldn’t be surprising if the team explores external options to bolster their offensive line. This setback is a significant blow for Brown, who will be focusing on rehabilitation while on an expiring contract.
Leave a Reply