Optimism That A.J. Green Will Play Next Week Following Shoulder Sprain Against The Rams

by Josh Kirkendall on Dec 18, 2011 6:21 PM EST in Injury

ST. LOUIS, MO - DECEMBER 18: A.J. Green #18 of the Cincinnati Bengals makes a catch against Josh Gordy #38 of the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on December 18, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Bengals beat the Rams 20-13. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

According to Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green suffered a "Grade 3 sprain to his right shoulder". A grade three sprain means that the acromioclavicular ligaments (and capsule) and the coracoclavicular ligaments are "disrupted", according to the Southern California Orthopedic Institute (SCOI). Green suffered the injury with 3:03 remaining in the second quarter when Andy Dalton did what Andy Dalton typically does, chucking it deep to wherever Green is. During the vertical route on third and 12, Green tripped and landed on his right shoulder. Rod Hood was penalized for defensive pass interference.

Green jogged into the locker room after the training staff initially diagnosed Green's shoulder and his return at the time was questionable. Cincinnati's rookie wide receiver eventually came back in the third quarter, largely as a distraction for Cincinnati's passing offense, offering a few blocks with a limp right arm. Things must have felt better as the quarter continued because Green was targeted four more times in the second half, catching two passes for a combined 21 yards, including a third down conversion on a quick slant with 5:23 remaining in the third quarter.

Though some sources reference a grade three shoulder sprain as a healing process that could take weeks to months, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis offered optimism for next week saying, "I think he'll be OK."

Green posted 115 yards on six receptions Sunday against the St. Louis Rams, falling three yards short of Cris Collinsworth's franchise rookie record of 1,009 yards receiving. It's also his fourth 100-yard receiving game this season.

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"I had it before and it’s nothing serious. I’m definitely not going to miss these last two games for nothing," Green said.

Green said he suffered a sprain to his left shoulder as a sophomore at Georgia and played through that. It will be a shorter week of game preparation due to Christmas as the Bengals host Arizona on Saturday.

According to Dr. Neal ElAttrache, an orthopedic surgeon at Karlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles, Green should be able to play through it. There are up to six grades of sprains with Grades 1-3 being the most common. Those are usually treated without surgery.

"If that is truly the injury then the issue primarily is pain. As long as he can get his arm up over his head he should be fine," El Attrache said. "It’s not an uncommon injury. For a receiver it is better compared to a cornerback like New England’s Devin McCourty who suffered the same type injury. With the impact that defensive players make and how they use their shoulder, he was out for a couple weeks. As long as they can give Green a shot to help with the pain he should be able to play."

by Cry on Dec 18, 2011 6:59 PM EST reply actions

AJ is a gamer

I love that he’s psyched to play even if it’s with pain. He easily could have taken himself out today and none of us would have thought less of him, but he went back in and picked up a few tough yards. Kid wants to win. I’ve been on the fence about a Dalton jersey vs a Green one, but I think by the end of this season it’ll be an easy decision.

by eric nyc on Dec 18, 2011 9:15 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions

PS Can we talk about that incomplete TD try in the first?

Dan Dierdorf said it at the time: That’s the prettiest incompletion you’ll ever see. He caught the ball by the nose with the fingertips of one hand with a defender shoving him out of bounds. Never even needed to put a second hand on it. This guy is going to be so much fun to watch for the next 10 years.

by eric nyc on Dec 18, 2011 9:20 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions