2 min read • August 14, 2021
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Cincinnati Bengals
QB Joe Burrow -
The number one overall pick in the 2020 draft suffered an ACL/MCL tear Week 11 and required surgery, missing the rest of the year. There was an indication of a patella subluxation as well. While national TV pundits initially suggested he would take all of the 2020 and 2021 season off, we were optimistic that Burrow would be ready Week 1. He avoided PUP to start camp and has been looking strong at practice. Admittedly he is not 100% yet and needs to knock the rust off. We continue with optimism for Joe Burrow's future as the Bengals signal caller and star QB. Carson Palmer had a similar injury for the Bengals and made a strong comeback the next season. Burrow was building up a solid rookie campaign before the ACL tear and now has his favorite target from LSU in Ja’Marr Chase at wideout. He may progress throughout the year, but should be a go for the season opener.
RB Joe Mixon -
A foot sprain Week 6 kept the star running back out for 11 games and after being injured, Week, missed the rest of the season. We didn't see much on video and it appeared to possibly happen on a TD dance but nothing was definitive. The full story has not been told yet but in theory, Mixon is slated to be healthy and has not been limited in camp.
TE CJ Uzomah -
The hulking TE ruptured his Achilles in Week 2 and subsequently missed the rest of the season. Offseason reports are that he is 100% healthy and a full participant at OTAs and avoided the PUP list. Expect a strong return despite the major injury, though now he’ll contend with Drew Sample for snaps and targets.
DE Trey Hendrickson -
The new free agent signing dealt with a bothersome neck stinger that cost him two games including the Saints' Wild card matchup with the Bears. This is an injury to watch as a stinger can flare up at any time. Hendrickson managed 13.5 sacks in a breakout season in New Orleans. If he can replicate that production, it will go a long way to buffing the pass rush that logged just 17 sacks overall last year.
DE Joseph Ossai -
The Bengals rookie defensive end played very well in the Bengals preseason opener versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but there are reports of a fractured wrist. He was seen boarding the plane after the game in a cast, with further tests and an MRI coming. Although there is no video that we could analyze, it appears the worry is a scaphoid fracture as other wrist fractures would be readily apparent by stadium X-ray. Expect the potential of surgery or a cast, which would be the quickest way to the field. Our belief is that even with a fractured scaphoid, Ossai would not miss the regular season opener and should play with a short arm cast.
Joseph Ossai update 08/22
The rookie Bengals defensive end who impressed in the preseason now has suffered a second injury on top of his broken wrist. A broken wrist he can play through but now reportedly has a meniscus tear and surgery pending. National reporters are saying that he's likely done for the season. Simple meniscectomy trim surgery would allow him to return but this looks to be a meniscus repair with potential suturing based on the report. This would make it very difficult if not impossible to return this season. The difference of return from meniscus is based on suturing versus trimming procedures. Suturing requires repair, healing time and thus the prolonged absence. Several years ago, Adrian Peterson had an early season meniscus repair where there was hope that he could make it back. But even with his excellent rehab and recovery powers he was not able to that year.
DL DJ Reader -
One of the big free agent signings of 2020 had a year to forget as he tore his quad and missed 11 games, finishing the season on IR. Reader passed his physical heading into camp and hopefully can play himself into a strong position, as the Bengals look to replace the production of longtime stalwart Geno Atkins.
CB Trae Waynes -
The huge free agent signing of 2020 missed the entire season due to a torn pectoral muscle. He suffered said injury very early, meaning he will be ready for the new season. Waynes will immediately slot into the Bengals' number one corner spot come Week 1.
CB Chidobe Awuzie -
The former Cowboy signed with the Bengals as he looks for a new start. In 2020, the cornerback missed seven games due to a significant hamstring injury which left him on IR while also missing one game after being placed on the Reserve/COVID list. The hamstring issue should be behind him as he joins his new team.
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