Star Bengals Receiver A.J. Green Carted Off Field at Training Camp [UPDATE]
By Liam McKeone
While training camp signals a time of hope, optimism, and the return of football, it’s not all good news. Every year, numerous players go down with injuries that derail both their season and the team’s.
Only days into camp for most teams, a big-time player has already gone down, and it might be serious. Star receiver A.J. Green was carted off the field at Bengals camp on Saturday afternoon.
AJ Green left sitting in the cart with his left foot elevated and his shoe off. Threw his mouthpiece after he went down. Looked like he knew something was wrong.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) July 27, 2019
Green has struggled with numerous lower-body injuries throughout his career, and this doesn’t look good. He tore a ligament in his toe that sunk most of his 2018 season, and a groin injury hampered him early in the campaign. He tore his hamstring back in 2016 as well.
One shred of good news is that the injury doesn’t seem to be to the same foot he struggled with all last year. An ankle sprain has been reported as one possibility.
I’m hearing A.J. Green has a possible left ankle sprain. #Bengals
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) July 27, 2019
Hopefully it doesn’t turn out too serious, but an ankle sprain has a wide range in terms of severity. New head coach Zac Taylor is optimistic, which is a good sign.
Zac Taylor on A.J. Green going down with what looked like a left foot or ankle injury. - “you don’t want to assume anything, but I think we’re going to be ok.” Said they will check him out obviously and see.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) July 27, 2019
The Bengals were looking to bounce back this year after a down 2018. If Green is sidelined for any amount of time, they lose their most dangerous weapon, and it’ll be hard to get any momentum going with him sidelined.
UPDATE: Ian Rapoport reports the Bengals believe Green suffered an ankle sprain. These is probably the best-case scenario, all things considered.
Based on the initial diagnosis, #Bengals WR AJ Green is believed to have suffered a sprained ankle, I’m told. They are hopeful, but he’s going to get an MRI to be sure. If that’s the case, expect serious caution throughout the preseason from Green and the team.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 27, 2019
UPDATE 2: Adam Schefter reports Green tore ligaments in his ankle, and will miss six to eight weeks. Not a season-ending injury as was the initial fear, but worse than an ankle sprain. Tyler Boyd will have a big role in this offense.
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