Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert uncertain for Week 3

The Cincinnati Bengals have a virtual must-win game ahead of them in Week 3, but they may have to do without tight end Tyler Eifert.

After a loss to the Houston Texans last Thursday night, the Cincinnati Bengals are 0-2 without an offensive touchdown on two home games this season. Offensive coordinator Ken Zampese was fired on Friday, and now according to Adam Schefter of ESPN tight end Tyler Eifert is dealing with back and knee issues.

Injuries are nothing new for Eifert, as a back issue which required surgery ended his 2016 season early and an ankle injury suffered in the Pro Bowl delayed the start of the campaign for him. A dislocated elbow cost him all but one game in 2014, and shoulder stingers cost him a bit of time in both 2013 and 2015. On top of that, a knee injury surfaced prior to Week 1 this year but had not appeared to be a big concern until now. Over the 2014-2016 seasons, Eifert played in just 22 games (13 in 2015).

It is only Monday, with some extra time between games, but Eifert’s availability for Week 3 against the Green Bay Packers is in serious doubt. He is surely one of the players new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor wants to focus on getting more involved in the Bengals’ offense, with only five targets and four catches through two games, but if Eifert can’t practice much (or at all) that process will be an uphill climb until further notice.

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The statistic about 0-2 teams not making the playoffs over the last 25 years or so really made last week a must-win for the Bengals and they came up short. Now they’re facing a better team in the Packers next Sunday, on the road in a tough environment at Lambeau Field no less, and their offensive issues don’t offer much hope of pulling an upset. And Eifert looks sure to be at less than full strength, if he is active, so he may not be much help anyway.