Just as it looked like the Cincinnati Bengals would be getting star wideout A.J. Green back from an ankle injury he sustained in the offseason, it looks like his return could be further off than expected. All signs pointed to Green making his return this Sunday against the Ravens but Green has reportedly suffered a setback that will keep him sidelined indefinitely according to ESPN.
Green said he will likely not make his season debut Sunday against Baltimore after his left ankle did not respond well to workouts earlier this week. Following Monday’s off-week practice, Green said he experienced swelling that derailed his plans of participating in Wednesday’s practice. The ninth-year receiver said he doesn’t know how long he will need to stay off the ankle as he continues the rehab process.
“Right now, my ankle is saying it’s too much,” Green said. “That’s when you gotta back off.”
“For me, just gotta make sure I feel comfortable going out there and pushing it,” Green said Thursday. “For me, just gotta make sure I gotta take care of me first before anything else.”
While A.J. Green not being able to go for at least the next couple of weeks is a disappointing turn, it really doesn’t affect the outcome of their season. The Bengals are already dead in the water with zero wins halfway through the season, which could also be factoring in Green’s reluctance to return.
Green surely suffered a setback, but there’s speculation that the receiver’s absence has more to do with a contract dispute than his injury status. Green’s contract is set to expire and without long-term security, he may not be excited about putting his body on the line for one of the worst teams in the NFL.
As long as Green remains out, Tyler Boyd should continue to see heaps of targets while Auden Tate figures to fill in as the team’s no. 2 moving forward.
