Bengals Center Kyle Cook's Injury Is A High Ankle Sprain

Three days ago reports surfaced that center Kyle Cook could be lost to the season with an injury suffered against the Green Bay Packers last Thursday. He reportedly visited with a foot specialist, learning that the injury is much more serious than originally believed. Cincinnati quickly acted, signing veteran Jeff Faine, who could start the regular season opener against the Baltimore Ravens.

According to Joe Reedy with the Cincinnati Enquirer, the injury that Cook suffered was a high ankle sprain. There are three grades of sprains. A grade one sprain consists of a stretch to the ligaments. Grade two is a partial tear and a grade three is a complete tear. A grade one and grade two can take six weeks to recover without surgery. A grade two and three with surgery can take months of rehabilitation.

With the league applying new Injured Reserve rules this year, Cook is an idle candidate. He'll likely miss at least six weeks from the date of injury and designated for return at the time he's placed on IR.