Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai doubtful for season opener with high ankle sprain, per report
The Cincinnati Bengals nearly managed to make it out of the preseason fully healthy. Unfortunately, they'll likely be without Joseph Ossai for the start of the regular season. Per Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Ossai suffered a high ankle sprain on Saturday evening in the team's preseason finale vs. the Washington Commanders. This is […]
The Cincinnati Bengals nearly managed to make it out of the preseason fully healthy. Unfortunately, they'll likely be without Joseph Ossai for the start of the regular season.
Per Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Ossai suffered a high ankle sprain on Saturday evening in the team's preseason finale vs. the Washington Commanders. This is an injury that will put his Week 1 status in doubt.
Ossai played seven snaps against the Commanders before he came up limp and walked off the field under his own power. He was later declared out of the contest, which typically signifies a relatively serious injury.
Recovery time for high ankle sprains range from weeks to months, making it a virtual guarantee Ossai won't be healthy for the season opener in 13 days.
The Bengals will have two options. They will either stash Ossai on the active roster and see if he can return in three weeks or fewer, or they will place him on Injured Reserve sometime after Tuesday's roster cutdown deadline so he can be eligible to return after three weeks. This will require them to carry Ossai on the active roster anyways for the time-being.
It's an unfortunate reality for Ossai, who was set to enter his third season fully healthy. He missed all of his rookie year with a meniscus injury, but showed promise and suffered multiple injuries during the 2022 season. He was slated to play a significant role in the defensive line rotation and take another step in his development. Now, he may miss extended time.
On the other side of the coin, this creates a big opportunity for first-round pick Myles Murphy. The rookie was projected to fit behind Ossai and Cam Sample at defensive end on the depth chart. Murphy will surely be asked to take on a larger role with Ossai out for the near future.
The Bengals have less than a day to construct their initial 53-man roster. Click here to get caught up on all the roster moves.
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Featured image via © Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
