Fansided

Bengals WR Andrew Hawkins suffers high ankle sprain

By Jason Marcum

Jul 26, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrew Hawkins (16) runs the ball during training camp at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 26, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrew Hawkins (16) runs the ball during training camp at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 5, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrew Hawkins (16) makes a reception during the fourth quarter of the AFC Wild Card playoff game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrew Hawkins (16) makes a reception during the fourth quarter of the AFC Wild Card playoff game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

The Cincinnati Bengals are already without All-Pro receiver A.J. Green, who is recovering from a bone bruise in his knee, and will be held out for at least the next week of training camp, including the team’s preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons next Thursday night.

Now, they’ll be without their starting slot receiver in Andrew Hawkins, who suffered a high-ankle sprain during tonight’s practice, which will likely knock him out of action for a good portion of the preseason:

"Indications Thursday night were Hawkins won’t be out more than two weeks.Head coach Marvin Lewis said after practice he didn’t know what the diagnosis is, but after Hawkins made a diving, stretching catch to haul in an Andy Dalton pass down the seam before an estimated crowd of 6,200, he grabbed his left ankle. He couldn’t put weight on the foot as he got helped off the field and was carted to the locker room."

Hawkins was projected to be the starting slot receiver entering the regular season, but was expected to be challenged by second-year WR Mohamed Sanu.

Despite missing two games last season due to a knee injury, Hawkins still finished the 2012 season ranked third on the team in both receptions (51) and receiving yards (533). He also had four TD catches, including one of 59 and one of 50 yards.

With this injury, expect to see Sanu rise up and take hold of the #1 slot receiver spot, and if he progresses at the rate hed did late last season before breaking his foot, its tough to see Hawkins re-gaining his starting spot back.

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