Zachary Engberg
2 min read • August 04, 2022
Posted in
2021 record: 10-7, lost Super Bowl | FanDuel 2022 O/U win total: 9.5
Since Joe Burrow went down with a significant multi-ligament knee injury in November 2020, the Bengals have spent a 2021 second-round pick on guard Jackson Carman and brought in veterans La’el Collins, Alex Cappa and Ted Karras this offseason to shore up the rest of the line.
Burrow made an explosive combination with former teammate at LSU Ja’Marr Chase and now third year receiver Tee Higgins, who underwent shoulder surgery in March. Burrow, Chase, and company are likely to be a force for the foreseeable future.
On defense, Trey Hendrickson, who was a big free agent signing last summer, had another great season while dealing with various late-season injuries.
Hendrickson lost defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi to the Steelers, but the Bengals return the rest of the defensive front that helped in the teams run through the AFC.
Linebacker Logan Wilson and safety Jessie Bates each missed OTAs, with Wilson in line to be back for training camp.
Burrow gradually improved as the 2021 season progressed, shedding any rust from his torn ACL, MCL, PCL, and meniscus, and hitting his stride in the final quarter of the season.
Burrow suffered an MCL sprain late in the season and aggravated the injury in the Super Bowl, but neither injury is concerning and won’t carry over into 2022, according to the Pro Football Docs.
Burrow said he is intending on shedding his knee brace, and his mobility and acceleration should improve in 2022, which will help limit the league-high 51 sacks he took in 2021.
Higgins suffered a left shoulder injury in Week 2, missed two weeks, and returned to put up a 1,000-yard season as an elite complement to the explosive Chase.
The third-year wideout underwent surgery to repair the injury, reported as a torn labrum, but the Pro Football Docs are confident he will be recovered by training camp.
Higgins brought in 92 receptions for 1,400 yards and eight touchdowns over 18 total games in 2021 while nursing a torn labrum and figures to be in line to repeat that production, if not exceed it this year.
Collins came to Cincinnati on a three-year deal after he was released by the Cowboys in March.
He's reportedly dealing with a back injury he suffered away from the team this offseason. The Pro Football Docs are confident he can make it back by the start of the season.
His partner on the right side of the line, guard Alex Cappa, missed most of OTAs after undergoing surgery on a core muscle injury. He is expected to be back and ready for training camp.
Cappa played 17 games for the Buccaneers last season with all 1,182 snaps coming at right guard.
Hendrickson was the Bengals’ major free-agent acquisition in 2021 and showed out for the cats, putting up a career-high 34 tackles and 14 sacks over 16 games.
The edge-rusher suffered a back injury in Week 14 and a concussion in the Wild Card win, but didn’t miss time for either issue.
Hendrickson has no structural damage from either injury, but both are issues that can create future problems, and he also carries a stinger injury he picked up in 2020 that figures into his score.
The 27-year-old pro-bowler should continue to be an elite pass-rusher, but is at risk of missing pockets of time with the stinger or back injuries.
Jessie Bates stands in a category of his own: he has no injury concerns, but has yet to suit up for the Bengals and intends to sit out training camp as he holds out for a long-term contract.
The fifth-year safety followed up a second-team All-Pro selection in 2020 with career lows in snaps (953), tackles (88), interceptions (one), and passes defended (four).
If he continues his holdout or is dealt, expect No. 31 pick Dax Hill to see snaps at safety with special teamer Brandon Wilson rounding out the unit.
Written by Zachary Engberg
