Bengals Safety Chris Crocker Medically Cleared After MCL Injury

Buffalo was a rough one for the Bengals last year. Johnathan Joseph intercepted two passes, one returned for a touchdown. It was the first time in his NFL career that he recorded multiple touchdowns. He later left the game after re-aggravating a high ankle sprain. The Bengals blew a 31-14 half time lead by allowing 35 points in the second half, eventually losing the game 49-31. Bengals safety Chris Crocker also suffered an MCL tear in his knee that ended his season.

According to Geoff Hobson, Crocker says "he's been cleared and that his medial collateral ligament has healed well enough that he could play if there was a game 'tomorrow.'"

Crocker started nine games at free safety this year, even though he also worked as a nickel when cornerback Adam Jones suffered a season ending injury against the Atlanta Falcons. Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the free safety posted a nine-tackle game with two quarterback sacks and a forced fumble. In three seasons with the Bengals, Crocker has three interceptions, 3.5 quarterback sacks and four forced fumbles.

Crocker is signed through 2012 with a base salary of $1.75 million in each of his two remaining seasons.