Bengals Linebacker Rey Maualuga Is "Believed To Be" Undergoing Ankle Surgery Soon

by Josh Kirkendall on Jan 11, 2012 9:33 AM EST in Injury

CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 01: Rey Maualuga #58 of the Cincinnati Bengals takes the field for the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium on January 1, 2012 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images)

Bengals middle linebacker Rey Maualuga started 13 games this year, missing three due to an ankle sprain suffered during an October 13 practice earlier this year. According to Bengals.com beat writer Geoff Hobson, Maualuga is "believed to be undergoing ankle surgery sometime soon." Maualuga posted a career-high in tackles and a team-leading three forced fumbles during his first year as the team's starting middle linebacker.

Maualuga missed games against the Indianapolis Colts, the Seattle Seahawks and the Tennessee Titans. Backup linebacker Dan Skuta started in his place, registering 19 tackles including a team-high nine tackles against the Titans. Pro Football Focus rated Skuta as one of the team's better linebackers this year.

Maualuga has faced criticism during his first campaign as the team's middle linebacker, mostly for being over-aggressive, inconsistent while struggling to chip off blocks when he's at the point of attack. Pro Football Focus rated Maualuga as the team's worst linebacker (-6.3) and the third-worst defensive player overall. Though he did register an interception, his pass coverage (-5.7) was often the biggest detriment.

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Hopefully

This explains his lack of production. I would love to be wrong about the comments I have made about him this season.

"Next season will be better" circa 1990

by Yarin on Jan 11, 2012 9:46 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

Explained Hopefully a LOT

He was horrible all season getting off blocks. If you watched the Steelers play this year, when Troy P comes up in a blitz, he drives right through blocks. Your middle linebacker can’t get completely sealed off and that happened WAY too many times with Rey. Hopefully he is better by next season or they need to be considering a replacement.

by MikePF on Jan 11, 2012 10:07 AM EST reply actions

Really?

Have you ever played football, flag even that’s two different positions Safety should be able to make those plays as the dline and line backers should have picked up most of the blocks. You guys are killing me with this, we don’t play that kind of defense. Zimmer never has and never will, remember Dallas before Wade Philips, good defense not flashy made. Name their MLB DAT NGYEN, he retired from football after a neck injury doing the same thing Rey does taking on blockers so guys can make the play. We don’t play a 3-4 defense get over it!

by ashunte23 on Jan 12, 2012 8:16 AM EST up reply actions

His ankle wasn't making bad decisions

He was second in tackles behind Howard with 85. Last season Jones has 125 witn 85 solo tackles. I don’t know whats up with Rey but he needs to get it fixed. MLB is to big of a position to be average.

by Bigcatdaddy on Jan 11, 2012 10:12 AM EST via Android app reply actions

the thing about jones

he did make a lot of tackles but that was after a 3 or 5 yard gain. Rey should have the ability to get more tackles for losses or no gains and sacks. But we will see next year.

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Jan 11, 2012 11:20 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah

I was just pointing out that Jones wasn’t a pro bowler by any standard and and Rey was suppose to be an upgrade. He just looks stiff to me, he doesn’t turn at the hip much. I hope he gets it together. It’s just a damn shame Thurman couldn’t get it together.

by Bigcatdaddy on Jan 11, 2012 11:25 AM EST via Android app up reply actions

Thurman is still out there

fun fact: Thurman played for Jay Gruden in the arena league

by joeb69 on Jan 11, 2012 11:39 AM EST up reply actions

lol....interesting

"In a battle between patience and power, patience always wins"

by ticalcaldwell on Jan 11, 2012 11:47 AM EST up reply actions

Bring Back Odell - he has his act together ... maybe.... possibly...

by TX Bengal on Jan 12, 2012 5:04 PM EST up reply actions

Rey is all Hype!

The only reason why Rey was successful at USC was because the two other stud linebackers (Cushing and Matthews) were getting double teamed leaving Rey to just make a tackle. IMO we should start looking for a “real” MLB. Someone who we can depend on down after down.

by Jungleboogie on Jan 12, 2012 10:52 AM EST up reply actions

Hopefully he heals up 100% otherwise I'd be itching to pull the trigger on another MLB early on the draft.

What do you do when there's no way out? Find a way to get deeper in it.

by jimbasa on Jan 11, 2012 2:29 PM EST reply actions

ITs HEART

Think MLB needs to have a killer heart. Rey dnt seem to have that. Like said above he just get blocked to much. I can understand the ankle in open space but he was bad at plugging up wholes between the tackles. I think is more of confidence, Rey seems to lack that to me.

by i am will on Jan 11, 2012 4:31 PM EST reply actions

very disappointed in his play.

I thought he would be a star, but he has been very average.

by D-Day77 on Jan 11, 2012 6:15 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions

Skuta was pretty nice this year

by njbengalstat on Jan 11, 2012 7:48 PM EST reply actions

Skuta was pretty good

I got to see the playoff game in person and when they put Skuta in for Rey you could tell the difference in their play. Skuta looked so much better. I’m not for starting Skuta over Rey but it says a lot that he was getting out played by a special team player.

by Bigcatdaddy on Jan 11, 2012 8:36 PM EST via Android app up reply actions