Zac Taylor unveiled his sixth different offensive line combination in his 12th game as Bengals head coach at Sunday's game against the Jets at Paul Brown Stadium. No surprise, really, in this season of flux up front.
They've gone back to rookie left guard Michael Jordan in his first start since being benched early in the season. After the Bengals traded up to get Ohio State's Jordan, it was assumed he'd get a chance in the last portion of the season even before he surprisingly won the starting job out of training camp. And, Billy Price, who replaced Jordan after the fifth game, is nursing a back issue, although he went full in practice last week and was active Sunday.
Jordan, whose struggles against the Steelers back on Sept. 30 sparked the move to Price, faces a Jets defensive line ranked No. 1 against the rush and allowing just 2.6 yards per carry in the last month. It's his first appearance with left tackle Cordy Glenn, making his second start of the season. Alex Redmond had been dialed up to play left guard last week in the Steelers rematch, but suffered a season-ending torn bicep on the last snap of warmups.
On Saturday the Bengals waived back-up tackle Andre Smith so they could activate tight end Mason Schreck from the practice squad and on Sunday they deactivated another backup tackle in John Jerry. That leaves rookie Fred Johnson as the lone backup tackle. The massive 6-8 Johnson has played in one game with Taylor potentially using him like he used Jordan the past month as a sixth linemen to combat the Jets' blitzes.
Schreck, a 2017 seventh-round pick who played his first six games last season, made his 2019 debut Sunday when tight ends Drew Sample (ankle) and Cethan Carter (ankle) were inactive. Schreck probably won't get used that much from scrimmage, but he needed to fill in on special teams, where Carter is a core player with four tackles in the kicking game.
Joining Jerry, Carter and Sample on the inactive list were injured wide receiver A.J. Green (ankle) as well as third quarterback Jake Dolegala, backup cornerback Torry McTyer and backup defensive end Anthony Zettel.
View photos from the Week 13 matchup as the Bengals host the Jets at Paul Brown Stadium.
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, left, and New York Jets head coach Adam Gase, right, meet on the field after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) is sacked by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap (96) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson (11) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals free safety Jessie Bates (30) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) runs past New York Jets defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi (94) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor works on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap (96) reacts as a safety is called by referee Ron Torbert (62) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) speaks with head coach Zac Taylor, center right, during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) runs the ball against New York Jets cornerback Arthur Maulet (23) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) runs in a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) runs in a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
New York Jets defensive end Henry Anderson (96) stumbles in pursuit of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) hands off the ball to running back Joe Mixon (28) during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) runs the ball against New York Jets outside linebacker James Burgess, left, and defensive back Blessuan Austin (31) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals' Randy Bullock (4) watches his extra-point kick during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) runs in for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) breaks a tackle by New York Jets outside linebacker James Burgess (58) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) runs in for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) runs in for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carl Lawson (58) reacts alongside defensive end Carlos Dunlap (96) and defensive end Sam Hubbard (94) after sacking New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carl Lawson (58) reacts after sacking New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd celebrates after catching a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) runs the ball against New York Jets outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins (48) and strong safety Jamal Adams (33) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) catches a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Auden Tate (19) catches a pass against New York Jets free safety Marcus Maye (20) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd celebrates after catching a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd, left, celebrates his touchdown with running back Joe Mixon, right, during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Auden Tate (19) catches a pass against New York Jets free safety Marcus Maye (20) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap (96) takes the field before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
The Cincinnati Bengals cheerleaders perform before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
The Cincinnati Bengals cheerleaders perform before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals free safety Jessie Bates, right, breaks up a pass to New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson (11) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert practices before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap practices before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, right, speaks to New York Jets head coach Adam Gase, left, during practice before an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green practices before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon practices before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon, right, practices alongside quarterback Andy Dalton, left, before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Fans wait on the field before an NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon practices before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Cincinnati Bengals kicker Randy Bullock (4) practices before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon, right, practices alongside quarterback Andy Dalton, left, before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton practices before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Fans tailgate before an NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Fans tailgate before an NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton practices before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Ryan Finley practices before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Fans tailgate before an NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Fans tailgate before an NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton practices before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
