2 min read • January 30, 2022
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C.J. Uzomah, the Bengals starting tight end, suffered a left knee injury on an incompletion in the first quarter of the AFC Championship game.
By video, the 29-year-old jumped to try and catch the ball, but his legs folded awkwardly when he landed.
He hopped off the field without putting weight on his left leg and was eventually carted to the locker room, then deemed doubtful to return.
Dr. David Chao, ProFootballDoc, said he has concern for a significant MCL sprain and bone bruise with a possibility of additional ligament damage to the ACL.
He did not return to the game and Drew Sample filled in at tight end.
Update
Monday is a key day that will decide Uzomah's chances of playing in his first career Super Bowl and the Bengals' first Super Bowl since 1988.
The sixth-year tight end will undergo an MRI Monday on his injured left knee.
If the MRI reveals additional ligament damage in addition to the MCL sprain, such as a bone bruise or damage to the ACL, his chances of playing in the Super Bowl are slim to none, Chao said.
The fact that he returned to the sidelines in the second half on crutches is already not a great sign of the injury severity, Chao said. Typically, players with isolated MCL sprains can still put weight on the injured leg.
Uzomah had 49 catches for 493 yards and 5 touchdowns -- all career highs -- during the regular season. He played just two games last season because he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in his right foot Week 2.
Sample, the third-year backup tight end, had 40 catches for 349 yards and a touchdown while filling in for Uzomah last year. He had just 11 catches for 81 yards this regular season.
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