By Jordan Long
The Cincinnati Bengals are still looking for their first win of the season. They are the only NFL team without a win this year. Cincinnati hosts the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Cincinnati was hoping star wide receiver A.J. Green was going to make his season debut against the Ravens. Green has been out of the lineup dealing with an ankle injury. Unfortunately, he will not suit up on Sunday.
Green is the Bengals top wide receiver. He is able to create separation on defensive backs to be wide open. When he catches the football, those are for first downs or longer. Green’s speed allows him to miss being tackled by defenders. In his career Green has gone over the 1,000-yard mark 6 times. He has 8,907 yards and 63 touchdowns with an impressive yards per catch of 14.8.
Green was ready for another large year. Sadly, that has yet to happen. Green has been dealing with torn ligaments in his left ankle which occurred in the first practice of the preseason.
This week he had been working with the team. All indications were he was going to play on Sunday. His ankle didn’t react well. Green experienced swelling in that ankle. This kept him out of Wednesday’s practice. With this setback, he is out indefinitely.
According to ESPN, Green said, “I just take it day-by-day. If that comes to a point where I can’t play, that’s what’s supposed to happen. Then my ankle’s not where I need to be for me to play. Right now, I’m still thinking I still can play. I still can give this thing a little bit more time and then we go from there.”
It is possible Green might see action this year. There are 7 games left in the season following this week. It all depends on how his ankle feels. He is waiting to be 100% healthy which may not happen this year.
On the other hand, there is no point in coming back this season. The Bengals are not in a position to go to the playoffs. They are looking at maybe not even winning a game and the 1st pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Green needs to think about his future. It is best for him to rest. There is no need to risk further damage to his ankle. It would be a shame for Green to play. One hit on him is risking further damage on the ankle and it may end his career.
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