Can Chase Brown pull off a Patrick Mahomes before the Bengals season-defining game against the Steelers on Sunday? That clash will determine whether the Bengals will clinch a playoff berth or not. Although it’s still not on their hands, Cincinnati can just hope they win. And Denver and Miami lose theirs in week 18. But here’s the thing: The way Chase Brown’s sprained ankle recovery is going, it seems unlikely the Bengals will get their star running back on time before that mammoth clash.

Just when the Bengals needed a positive report on their 24-year-old running back. Pro football doc David J. Chao has thrown Brown’s chances of returning on the air with his injury analysis, “No matter how late or how mild, it’s still a high ankle sprain. It’s different for quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes or Justin Herbert, a running back it’s very difficult to play through.” Now, you might already know how Patrick Mahomes magically came back from his mild ankle sprain suffered against the Texans without even missing a game.

But it seems like, in the case of running backs, ankle sprains heal differently, as David J. Chao continued, “By video, it was a clear mild ankle sprain, but there is no such thing in a running back and with the quick turn around of the week. It seems dubious that Chase Brown will play. He has not practiced all week. He is listed as questionable right now.” Umm, that’s right. Brown hasn’t practiced all week. And he still bears a questionable tag on himself.

So the way things are moving. It doesn’t seem like the Bengals will get Brown back before the Steelers game. Despite their offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher’s update on Brown, “I’m hopeful that we’re going to have him. And I know he’s going to work really hard to be out there for us,” the Bengals running back is all but set to miss Sunday’s clash. His 4.3 average rushing yards per carry would surely be a huge miss for the Bengals as they try to do their part and finish strongly on Sunday.

Bengals continue to try and pull off the greatest comeback the NFL has ever seen

Just four weeks back, none would have even considered the Bengals chasing for a playoff spot. With a record of 4-8, the Bengals were all but out of the postseason picture. However, going into week 18, Joe Burrow’s Bengals still have a 4% chance of making the playoffs. Yes, that’s right. 4%, according to the New York Times, Cincinnati can still keep their season alive. And guess what? That percentage would keep on rising if results go in their favor on Sunday.

First of all, they need to win against Pittsburgh, which would increase their odds by 7%. Now, elsewhere, the Jets need to win their clash against the Dolphins. That win will keep the Bengals alive in the playoff hunt and boost their odds up to 17%. Well, hold on. Here’s where it gets interesting. A win for the Chiefs over the Broncos would probably mean the Bengals clinch the final playoff spot in the most dramatic fashion possible.

You might be wondering, don’t those scenarios seem impossible to happen? See, it’s the NFL we are talking about. And never say never until the very last play. So, the postseason doors are still open for the Bengals. But to start off this incredible comeback, they need to win theirs on Sunday.