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Cincinnati Bengals: Tyler Eifert to Have Ankle Surgery

By Nick Ziegler

Jan 9, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert (85) runs the ball during the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert (85) runs the ball during the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cincinnati Bengals have suffered a tough blow early in the offseason, as Tyler Eifert has to have ankle surgery.

After suffering an injury on January 31st in the Pro Bowl, Tyler Eifert was in a walking boot for his ankle. The Cincinnati Bengals originally though that no procedure would be necessary, but with a lack progress being made, Eifert will be undergoing surgery.

According to Jim Owczarski, Eifert will be out for three months following the procedure, which means he will likely be missing nearly the entire offseason. After playing in just one game in the 2014 season, Eifert had his breakout season in 2015.

In 13 games, Eifert totaled 52 receptions, 615 receiving yards, and 13 receiving touchdowns. The great season for Eifert earned him a Pro Bowl selection, but that has turned out to be a curse, as the ankle injury suffered in the meaningless game may affect him in the 2016 season.

The dreaded injury-prone label is rapidly approaching for Eifert, as he missed has missed 19 games in just three seasons. When Eifert is healthy, he has shown that he is one of the best tight ends in football, but unfortunately, he hasn’t been on the field enough.

Missing the entire offseason is certainly something that the Bengals did not wish for their Pro Bowl tight end, but hopefully, that three-month window allows him to be 100% for the start of the 2016 season. The Bengals will once again have a lot of pressure on them to succeed in 2016, and they will need a healthy Eifert to compliment Andy Dalton and A.J. Green to get over the hump in the playoffs.

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