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No telling when Bengals Tight End Ben Utecht returns

There's just no telling when Ben Utecht will return from the concussion he suffered early in training camp, writes Geoff Hobson. "Tight end Ben Utecht surfaced in the Bengals locker room Tuesday morning for the first time since receiving the fifth concussion of his career three weeks ago and he doesn't look close to returning. He admitted he still has to make the big decision to return to play at all, but since his symptoms are still lingering he's not there yet."

As it stands, the Bengals could be without both starting Tight Ends to start the season. Which gives Daniel Coats and Chase Coffman huge opportunities. In Coats' case, he was a stretch to make the team as a Tight End. Within a split second after Kelly went down for the year, Coats' position on the roster solidified because of all the Tight Ends, his abilities mirror that of Kelly's blocking. In Chase Coffman's case, now he an opportunity to get a lot more playing time now that he doesn't have to climb over two proven Tight Ends while trying not to look like an old couple screwing (not my words).

In both their his rear-view mirror stands Matt Sherry, Darius Hill, Kolo Kapanui and J.P. Foschi. Coats and Coffman, you have to believe, are natural replacements for Kelly and Utecht, based on their strengths and style. But we're thinking ahead of ourselves. There's still a chance Utecht could return by the season opener -- but that Hobson piece makes you believe that's very doubtful.

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Chase Coffman can be really good.

I hope he gets a big shot to catch some passes with the first team this week.

by jsl413 on Aug 25, 2009 2:54 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

i feel bad for ben

but obviously he has a high tendency of getting his bell rung, it might be best for him to stay away.

by nadfflictar on Aug 25, 2009 3:17 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Same sort of story as with Dan Morgan. Everybody is different. Some people are more susceptible to certain types of injury (or other circumstances like food allergies and whatnot) and if this is one of his he ought to retire soon before he ends up in really bad shape. Not that I think that’s exactly right around the corner per se but it’s something he may need to consider the odds on.

by FriarBob on Aug 25, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

As much as I’m sure it pains him, the best decision for Ben Utecht is to retire; I understand how difficult that is if you love football, because I still remember Steve Young drooling all over himself at his retirement announcement following his umpteenth concussion.

Actually, seeing that Utecht is up to five (seriously, five?), it kind of makes me think there should be a mandatory retirement point with concussions written into the next CBA, if for no other reason than the inordinately high number of cases of retired players with dementia.

by Raging Clue on Aug 25, 2009 11:25 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

RE

I actually didn’t realize his history of concussions was that great for him. Kind of surprised me. It had me thinking along the same lines… retire?

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Kirkendall on Aug 25, 2009 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I hate to say it, but the callous part of me thought, “well, that would clear up one roster battle, anyway.”

by Raging Clue on Aug 25, 2009 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

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