Bengals: Zac Taylor doesn't expect DJ Reader back for rest of season
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor alluded to the news we all expected regarding DJ Reader's injury. Taylor believes the injury to be season-ending and doesn't expect him to play again this year."I don't with DJ," Taylor said when asked if he expects his star defensive tackle to return this season. "I'll get more information […]
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor alluded to the news we all expected regarding DJ Reader's injury. Taylor believes the injury to be season-ending and doesn't expect him to play again this year.
"I don't with DJ," Taylor said when asked if he expects his star defensive tackle to return this season. "I'll get more information but I don't think it's positive for DJ.
"It's not great. I don't want to be definitive on it, I've just come off the locker room."
Reader went down on just his second snap of the day in the first quarter. After not being able to stand and walk off on his own power, he was carted off the field and declared out soon afterwards.
The injury bug would not leave the Bengals alone throughout the afternoon. Rookie CB DJ Ivey was also carted off with a knee injury. Offensive linemen Alex Cappa and Ted Karras suffered and played through injuries, and Pro Bowl WR Ja'Marr Chase left the game with what looked to be a shoulder injury.
Chase's injury happened late in the game, so Taylor wasn't able to give a good answer on his status going forward.
"We'll see on Ja'Marr," Taylor said. "I don't know yet enough on Ja'Marr."
Chase having to leave the game and tucking his arm underneath his jacked was not a great sign, but it's far too early to speculate what his status will be going forward.
The Bengals are indeed in the AFC playoff picture, but making another deep run will be extremely tough without Reader and Chase, and Joe Burrow of course.
Bengals have officially proven they are playoff contenders
An unbelievable statement game from Cincinnati.
