A.J. Green expected to miss 6-8 weeks, may not be ready for Bengals opener
The Cincinnati Bengals got some bad news by way of an injury update about their star wideout on Sunday.
On Saturday, star Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green went down with an injury at training camp. While there wasn’t any immediate confirmation on the nature of the injury or its severity, any time a top player leaves the practice field on a cart it’s typically never good news.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Sunday that Green’s injury is more than a routine ankle sprain it was initially feared to be, but rather torn ligaments in his left ankle that will keep him out for six to eight weeks.
An MRI revealed that Bengals’ WR A.J. Green has torn ligaments in his left ankle that is likely to sideline him six to eight weeks, source tells ESPN. Green is not expected to be ready for the regular-season opener at Seattle.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 28, 2019
The good news is that the Bengals do not believe Green will miss the team’s Week 1 contest against the Seattle Seahawks. The bad news, though, is that ligament injuries — particularly ankle ligaments — heal in unpredictable timeframes. Additionally, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and NFL.com, that six-to-eight-week timetable only applies if Green doesn’t undergo surgery. Green will seek a second opinion before determining his next steps.
#Bengals star WR A.J. Green will get a second opinion on the ankle injury he suffered in practice last night, source said. No surgery for now, but he’ll get additional information before deciding how to proceed.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 28, 2019
Given the injury, Green’s history of foot and leg ailments and Green being north of 30 years old, this is likely something the Bengals will have to monitor all season long.
It may be something the NFL will have to look into, as well. Schefter notes that Green’s injury happened at the University of Dayton’s Welcome Stadium, as part of the league’s 100-year anniversary celebrations. Schefter reported that “[f]ield conditions were considered subpar; [there is] more scrutiny expected over decision to practice there.”
AJ Green tore ligaments in his ankle practicing at the University of Dayton’s Welcome Stadium, as part of NFL’s 100th-anniversary celebration. Field conditions were considered subpar; more scrutiny expected over decision to practice there. Green expected to be sidelined 6-8 weeks
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 28, 2019
Green missed seven games a season ago and also landed on injured reserve with a toe injury that required surgery. He also injured a hamstring in 2016 that put him on IR. And now, at age 31 and in a contract year, he cannot afford to miss significant time nor suddenly be considered injury-prone.
While there’s still ample time for Green to rehabilitate his ankle, it’s hard to imagine him entering Week 1 at 100 percent health. While the good news is that Saturday’s injury hasn’t already costed Green the season, the bad news is that the Bengals will have to keep a close eye on it throughout the 2019 campaign and hope that it doesn’t resurface as the weeks roll by.
Next. A.J. Green suffers injury to begin contract year. dark