Bengals’ Vontaze Burfict exits preseason game with hamstring issue

The Cincinnati Bengals are taking on the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday night in their third preseason game.

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That means that both teams are playing their preseason game in which they play the starters longer, start to see what their team will look like playing actual football, and pray that none of their key players get hurt.

It is on that final front that the Bengals now face a nervous moment, as starting linebacker Vontaze Burfict was forced to exit the game with a hamstring injury.

Depending on how serious the issue appears to be, the Bengals can at least take comfort in the fact that Burfict will have some extra time to rest before the regular season rolls around. It is no small thing to hope for, however, as Burfict is one of the best players on a defensive unit that promises to be one of the best in the league this season.

Burfict is coming off a 2013 season in which he recorded 171 tackles, forced one fumble, and intercepted one pass. Reports surfaced this week that Burfict and the Bengals were on the verge of a contract extension, something that should be finalized soon.

As for the Bengals defense as a unit, they look to be in top form as Sunday Night Football wears on. Granted, they are enjoying that success against Carson Palmer and company, but still, there is plenty of promise for this group presuming good health for key players like Burfict.