Bengals injury updates on Joe Burrow, Joseph Ossai, and more
Making it out of training camp with no bumps or bruises is simply impossible for NFL teams. The Cincinnati Bengals are no exception, and it took them two days into camp to learn that. Joe Burrow's strained calf is healed enough to the point where the fourth-year quarterback is practicing with the team again. His […]
Making it out of training camp with no bumps or bruises is simply impossible for NFL teams. The Cincinnati Bengals are no exception, and it took them two days into camp to learn that.
Joe Burrow's strained calf is healed enough to the point where the fourth-year quarterback is practicing with the team again. His practicing signified the full send into preparing for Week 1, and he wasn't the only injured player to return.
With the regular season upon us, it's time for an updated look at what injuries the Bengals are managing on the active roster.
Bengals Injury Updates
QB Joe Burrow (calf)
Burrow was out for 34 days for what was believed to be a Grade 1 calf strain suffered on July 27. He was seen performing a warm up on August 11 before the team’s preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, but made his official return to practice this Wednesday.
In his two practices since returning, Burrow performed all individual drills and participated in seven-on-seven work. He would still be classified as a limited participant in practice thus far, but all signs are positive for him playing two Sundays from now in Week 1.
RB Trayveon Williams (ankle)
Williams suffered a mild ankle sprain on August 2 and missed the entire preseason along with Burrow. He also made his return to practice on Wednesday and is considered ready to play.
Despite missing all that time, Williams was never in any danger of not making the 53-man roster and is still very much in the mix to be the offense's third down back. He might even be the favorite.
T D’Ante Smith (shoulder)
August was a productive month for Smith, a third-year tackle who seemed to find his stride before suffering what appeared to be an injury to his right shoulder in the preseason finale on August 26.
Smith was in uniform for both practice team's practices, but was doing rehab work on the side field. His status for Week 1 looks to be in doubt.
ED Joseph Ossai (ankle)
Ossai also suffered an injury in the final preseason game, and this one may take him out for a while. Ossai told The Enquirer's Kelsey Conway that he could be out for up to four weeks with what is reportedly a high ankle sprain.
High ankle sprains are typically the worst kind of ankle sprains as they linger for much longer than lower variants. Even if Ossai is back in a month, it may take a little while for him to be back to 100%.
CB DJ Turner II (hamstring)
On the brighter side, Cincinnati’s impressive cornerback returned to practice Thursday after missing the previous week with an undisclosed injury. Considering he won’t see much playing time out the gate as a reserve, the team will likely take it slow with him.
It's not expected that any players on the Bengals' roster will be placed on the Reserve/Injured list, which would sideline them for at least four weeks. Ossai would be the only logical choice, but if the team may want to see if he can practice before that.
As of now, the Bengals have four players on season-ending Injured Reserve:
- T Devin Cochran
- DL Devonnsha Maxwell
- DL Tautala Pesefea Jr.
- CB Marvin Tell III
Those four won't play at all this season, but T La'el Collins might. Collins was placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list at the start of camp and was placed on the Reserve/PUP list on Tuesday. This will take him out for at least the first four weeks of the season. He will be eligible to return starting in Week 5, and once activated, can practice for three weeks without counting against the 53-man roster.
Bengals rookie Myles Murphy has to grow up fast amid Joseph Ossai’s injury
Murphy has ways to go before he lives up to his draft status, but Ossai’s high ankle sprain will put him on the clock to produce.
Featured image via © Cara Owsley/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
