Bengals’ Marvin Lewis: Tyler Eifert Could Miss Rest Of Season

Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis says there’s a chance that playmaking tight end Tyler Eifert could miss the rest of the season after suffering a dislocated elbow in Week 1.

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The Cincinnati Bengals lost playmaking tight end Tyler Eifert in Week 1 after he suffered a dislocated elbow. He was placed on the injured reserve/designated to return list in September, but on Friday, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis admitted that Eifert could be out for the rest of the year.

"“I can’t give you an update until he’s close to being healthy,” Lewis said in an NFL.com story by Kevin Patra. “But obviously not gonna risk Tyler’s future for any part of this season right now until he’s completely 100 percent healthy.”"

Eifert was entering his second year with the Bengals after catching 39 passes for 445 yards and two touchdowns in his rookie season. His absence weakens the Bengals’ passing game and that seemed clear in Thursday’s loss to the Cleveland Browns. Eifert presented significant matchup problems for opposing defenses and without him stretching the field up the middle, the Bengals’ passing game can get squeezed as it did Thursday against the Browns.

At the time Eifert was placed on short-term IR, he was expected to be able to return for Thursday’s game. Unfortunately, that did not happen and Eifert has not even practiced up to this point.

Jermaine Gresham has replaced Eifert this season and has become the second-most targeted receiver with 36 catches for 276 yards. He has been great for the Bengals at times, but also not-so-great as was evidenced in the Thursday night game. He had a miscue in that game that led to a Browns interception on the first drive.

Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis says there’s a chance that playmaking tight end Tyler Eifert could miss the rest of the season after suffering a dislocated elbow in Week 1.

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