Bengals Injury Report: Cincinnati's defensive line trending in the right direction as health increases
Sunday afternoon has a great chance of being the first time the Cincinnati Bengals have a fully-loaded defensive line, and the timing couldn't be better with the Baltimore Ravens coming to town. For starters, the team has cleared both edge defender Myles Murphy and defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson to practice, and the latter is also […]
Sunday afternoon has a great chance of being the first time the Cincinnati Bengals have a fully-loaded defensive line, and the timing couldn't be better with the Baltimore Ravens coming to town.
For starters, the team has cleared both edge defender Myles Murphy and defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson to practice, and the latter is also officially off the Reserve/Injured list and back on the 53-man roster.
Head coach Zac Taylor told reporters Monday that this was the day for these moves to be made. Jackson injured his knee all the way back during the beginning of training camp, while Murphy suffered his own knee injury towards the end of camp.
Taylor said each "could" play against Baltimore, but the first step is seeing how they look ahead of time.
"We gotta see them practice," Taylor told reporters.
Jackson officially took the roster spot that was held by punter Brad Robbins before Robbins was waived earlier this week. The team would have to clear another roster spot in order to activate Murphy.
With Jackson back in the fold, the Bengals now have seven defensive tackles on the 53. The group had to become much deeper to account for hamstring injuries to both B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins, along with Jackson's camp injury.
Speaking of Hill, the veteran returned to practice for the first time in three weeks Wednesday.
Hill was a true game-time decision last Sunday against the Carolina Panthers but ultimately was inactive. His return to practice confirms he's very much on track to play for the first time since Week 2.
All of these injury updates matter, but edge defender Trey Hendrickson's importance is unmatched for Cincinnati's entire defense. Hendrickson suffered a neck stinger in Carolina that is "painful" according to Taylor, but the three-time Pro Bowler suited up with Hill for Wednesday's practice.
Hendrickson is a unique case as he could play without practicing, according to Taylor, but getting used to the pain leading up to game day should help him play through the injury if need be.
Bengals vs Ravens Wednesday Injury Report
Hendrickson and Hill were officially limited Wednesday along with Germaine Pratt (ankle). Jackson and Murphy went full as well as Tanner Hudson (knee), Kris Jenkisn Jr. (thumb), and Cordell Volson (ankle).
Rankins and Mike Hilton (knee) were the only two DNPs on the day. Hilton appeared to suffer his injury during Sunday's game and still played a total of 48 snaps.
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AFC North football returns to Cincinnati.
