Walton left Sunday's game due to a possible concussion.

EDGE Analysis

With Joe Mixon (knee) out and Thomas Rawls inactive Sunday, Giovani Bernard is the only running back available for the Bengals while Walton is checked out by the team's medical staff.

Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis suggested Thursday that Walton will likely serve as the top backup to Giovani Bernard while Joe Mixon (knee) is sidelined, Ross Tucker of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports. "Giovani and Mark Walton will shoulder the load for the next few weeks," Lewis said.

EDGE Analysis

A healthy inactive for the first two games of the season, Walton has shot up the depth chart in the wake of Mixon's setback in the Week 2 win over the Ravens and the release of Tra Carson, who went down with a hamstring injury in Monday's practice. The Bengals signed veteran back Thomas Rawls on Wednesday to bolster their depth at the position, but Lewis' comments indicate that the rookie fourth-round pick will work as Bernard's top understudy Week 3 against the Panthers. It's assumed that Bernard will initially handle the overwhelming share of snaps at the position, so Walton's usage on offense may primarily come when the former requires a breather.

Walton could have a role in the Bengals offense during Joe Mixon's (knee) absence, Herbie Teope of NFL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mixon is slated for a two-week absence due to his incoming arthroscopic knee surgery, opening the door for Giovani Bernard to lead the Cincinnati backfield for a spell. The aforementioned duo each earned 39 (of 76) offensive snaps Thursday against the Ravens, so opportunity awaits Walton, who was inactive in the same contest. A 2018 fourth-round pick, Walton racked up a pitiful 21 yards on 22 carries during the preseason, which should prompt a wait-and-see approach with the rookie.

Walton is inactive due to coach's decision for Sunday's game against Indianapolis, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Walton appeared set to play after coming off the injury report last week. With the relative health of the Bengals ahead of Week 1, Walton is one of a few healthy scratches and will need to wait another week to make his regular season debut.

Walton (shoulder) does not appear on the injury report ahead of Sunday's season opener against the Colts, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Walton dinged up his shoulder in the preseason finale, but his absence from the injury report suggests the running back was never dealing with a serious injury. The rookie is thus fully on track to suit up for his regular-season debut this weekend, when Walton will serve as the No. 3 option behind Joe Mixon and Giovani Bernard.

Walton injured his shoulder and isn't expected to return to Thursday's preseason game against the Colts, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Walton totaled 17 yards and his first career touchdown over 10 carries before exiting the game. Given the competition he's in with Brian Hill and Tra Carson for the No. 3 role behind Joe Mixon and Giovani Bernard, any extended absence for Walton could bury the rookie on the depth chart during the onset of the 2018 campaign.

Walton rushed for 13 yards on four carries during Thursdays 30-27 victory over Chicago.

EDGE Analysis

Walton was far from the biggest or fastest back taken in April, but his production in a pro-style scheme helped lead him to a fourth-round selection. He didn't turn many heads on Thursday, never carrying the ball for more than four yards at a time. Meanwhile, starter Joe Mixon broke off a 24-yard reception for a score. With Mixon and veteran Giovani Bernard in the fold, don't expect too much from the rookie.

The Bengals selected Walton in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, 112th overall.

EDGE Analysis

Walton was a highly regarded recruit at Miami (FL), but never quite lived up to his expectations despite several flickers of promise. He was off to a fast start in 2017, running for 428 yards (7.6 YPC) and three touchdowns in five games before an ankle injury derailed his season, but for his career his 395 carries yielded just 2006 yards (5.1 YPC). Perhaps Walton's average was deflated by a disproportionate amount of short-yardage work (26 touchdowns in 395 carries), but it would have been reassuring if he hadn't had such a dreadful combine. At 5-foot-10, 202 pounds, Walton ran a 4.6 40 and posted a 31.5-inch vertical. He's both small and slow, and he doesn't have big production to make you feel better about the fact. He does show some anchor ability and motor on tape, though, so he could stick as a high-effort change-of-pace runner.