Bengals' First-Round Pick Suffers Major Preseason Setback

Amarius Mims' standout start to his NFL career has hit a roadblock.

The Cincinnati Bengals announced on Monday that the rookie right tackle will miss "several" weeks of action due to a pectoral strain.

"Amarius Mims has a strained pec, non-surgical, so he'll miss several weeks," coach Zac Taylor told reporters, per Joe Danneman of FOX19 Now. "It's unfortunate he'll miss several weeks, but expect him to make a fully recovery and be ready to roll."

Mims has turned heads in Cincinnati throughout the offseason since being selected with the No. 18 overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft. Standing at a towering 6-foot-8 and 340 pounds, he enters the league as one of its most physically imposing players.

Though Mims started just eight games in college at Georgia, that lagging experience hasn't prevented him from making a smooth initial transition to the next level. Health provided, don't be surprised if the 21-year-old starts over veteran Trent Brown at right tackle for the Bengals in 2024.

Coming off a disappointing 9-8 campaign, Cincinnati is looking to re-establish itself as a perennial power in the AFC with franchise quarterback Joe Burrow back to full health.

The Bengals kickoff the regular season on September 8 against the New England Patriots.

Related: Joe Burrow Announces Three-Word Update On His Availability For Week 1