2 min read • January 31, 2022
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Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah and Rams tight end Tyler Higbee both suffered significant knee injuries Sunday and are in danger of missing Super Bowl LVI.
Dr. David Chao, ProFootballDoc, said that, by video, Uzomah has the more severe MCL sprain and faces more of an uphill battle to be available in two weeks.
"If this were the regular season, neither tight end would play, but this is the Super Bowl," Chao said.
Neither tight end will be anywhere close to 100%, but both will be lobbying to play and the medical staff
Uzomah and the Bengals did get positive news Monday that the MRI did not reveal any other ligament or structural damage.
However, Chao said it was unusual for Uzomah to be using crutches after the injury.
"Typically, players with isolated MCL sprains are able to put weight on the injured knee," Chao said. "The medical staff may have been playing it cautious until getting the MRI results, but the use of crutches was not a positive sign."
Higbee also suffered an MCL sprain and is not a guarantee to play against the Bengals, Chao said.
Higbee did not return in the win over the 49ers, but his MRI results reportedly did not show any structural damage to the knee.
Rams third-year backup tight end Kendall Blanton had 5 catches for 57 yards since replacing Higbee in the second quarter.
Bengals backup tight end Drew Sample had 1 catch for 4 yards and totaled 81 receiving yards during the regular season.
Blanton is the more effective receiving option of the two if neither tight end can suit up for the Super Bowl.
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