It seems that every year the Cincinnati Bengals face a series of injuries at a certain position that tests the very idea of depth. Thankfully, during a moment of prophesy through the offseason, the Bengals lost their minds by completely rebuilding the cornerback position through free agency and the NFL draft. Even so they've been forced to sign players to help fill the roster, defined as a "camp body".
Let's take a look at the team's cornerback situation.
THE UGLY
Brandon Ghee: Suffered a wrist injury that could land him on Injured Reserve before the season even starts. Either way head coach Marvin Lewis doesn't know how much time he'll miss but the team needs to make a decision before final cut-down day -- doubtful they'd keep an injured cornerback that can't contribute on the 53-man roster without the option of Reserve/PUP.
Shaun Prater: Suffered a knee injury around the patella region that could take upwards to four months to rehabilitate, writes NFL.com. If that report is true, then Prater is expected to go on Injured Reserve.
THE BAD
Dre Kirkpatrick: Remains on the Non-Football Injury list with what's described as a small broken bone in his knee that will require 4-6 weeks of recovery. The injury occurred a couple of weeks before training camp and he should return before the start of the regular season. Only injured cornerback eligible for the Reserve/PUP list, enabling a roster exemption through the first 6-9 weeks of the regular season.
Adam Jones: Has already missed three practices as well as the team's intrasquad scrimmage with a hamstring. Expected to return to full capacity early this week following the team's off day on Monday.
Jason Allen: Missed practice on last Friday as well as the intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday. Like Jones, expected to return early this week.
THE GOOD (or not that bad)
Leon Hall: Recovered from an Achilles injury from last year. Has only missed one practice during training camp and expected to take a handful of practices off for rest.
Nate Clements: Missed most of the offseason workouts earlier this year, and started training camp on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list. Returned to the field last week.
Terence Newman: Sat out during practice last Sunday, but mostly to rest.
Chris Lewis-Harris: Only cornerback on the roster that's taken part during every training camp practice.
T.J. Heath: Signed before the team's intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday. So far, so good.