Cincinnati Bengals place two players on injury lists, but the omission of notable rookie is the real story ahead of training camp
The Cincinnati Bengals placed two players on injury lists ahead of training camp, but the bigger story is rookie center Connor Lew, coming off a torn ACL, appears good to go.
The Cincinnati Bengals placed two players on injury lists ahead of training camp. The bigger story is the player who avoided one.
Rookie center Connor Lew has not been placed on the non-football injury list, a strong indication that the fourth-round pick out of Auburn is ready to practice when camp opens.
Defensive tackle B.J. Hill landed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list. Rookie undrafted free agent tight end Josh Kattus was placed on the Active Non-Football Injury list.
Lew’s absence from the NFI list carries real significance. The NFI designation is where rookies typically land when a college injury is still affecting them upon arrival in the NFL. Lew tore his ACL seven games into his junior season at Auburn, ending his year and his college career prematurely. He could not participate at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine or perform any athleticism testing.
The injury is the reason Lew lasted until the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Had he been healthy, he would have likely been off the board within the first 100 picks. The Bengals were praised for selecting him at that point, getting a quality center prospect on an injury discount.
Lew could still be placed on the NFI list prior to camp starting. If he remains off of it, it’s looking more and more like Cincy got a steal in the fourth round.
What Connor Lew’s readiness means for the offensive line
Lew did not participate in the offseason workout program while still completing his rehab work. He may need a period of acclimation to get up to speed, but the trajectory looks promising. I think Lew should be ready to play in the preseason after a couple weeks of practicing in his first training camp.
His availability also reshapes the depth chart behind starting center Ted Karras. If Lew can take reps at backup center alongside Jacob Bayer, it frees up Brian Parker II to focus elsewhere. Parker can play both guard and tackle, and if he is not needed as much at center, he can now log reps at two positions where Cincinnati may need him more during the regular season.
Such versatility was one of the reasons the Bengals drafted Parker, and Lew’s health gives them the flexibility to deploy it.
B.J. Hill and Josh Kattus face uncertain timelines
Hill notably played through a foot injury for most of last season, and his placement on the PUP list may suggest the issue has carried into the summer. It could be a different ailment entirely. The good news for the Bengals is their replenished depth at defensive tackle. Cincinnati will not be short on bodies along the interior when training camp begins.
As for Kattus, his placement on the NFI list could open reps at the bottom of the tight end depth chart. Cam Grandy and Jack Endries stand to benefit from the additional work while the rookie works his way back.
The severity of both Hill’s and Kattus’ situations will determine how long they remain sidelined. For now, the headline belongs to Lew, whose recovery timeline has the Bengals’ offensive line plan falling into place right on schedule.