That was a scare.
Late during Thursday's practice, the first during training camp this year, Andy Dalton threw a deep pass down the sidelines. Cornerback Terence Newman and Green went for the ball but "their legs (got) tangled up" and Green landed awkwardly. He was on the field for a moment while trainers rushed over to check him out. After a quick glance, Green walked off under his own power to the locker room with the team's trainers.
Green told former Bengals defensive back and current radio host Artrell Hawkins following practice that it felt similar to his injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers during his rookie season. That injury forced Green to sit out for the rest of that game and the following week with a hyperextended knee.
Jeff Swinger, a visual journalist for the Cincinnati Enquirer, captured the landing precisely at the moment that it happened.
#bengals AJ Green plants badly on his left leg. Leaves first practice with med staff @Cincienquirer pic.twitter.com/OOdkBKPQ3F
— Jeff Swinger (@swingmancinci) July 25, 2013
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis told reporters following practice that he believes Green is fine and that the trainers took him into the locker room to have a look.
There's no official diagnosis regarding Green's knee, but it appears that the level of concern is minimal enough that if Green misses time, it'll be a few days at most and Bengals fans can finally pick their hearts off the ground for reinsertion.
Former Bengals cornerback and current radio personality, Artrell Hawkins said he spoke to Green about the injury and he corroborated Lewis' sentiments on the seriousness of the fall.
Spoke w AJ says he believes he'll be ok. Felt like he hyper-extended his left knee, similar to injury he had his rookie year vs Steeler....
— Artrell Hawkins Jr. (@artrellhawkins) July 25, 2013
Green is having an MRI at some point Thursday night and we will provide updates as they come.
(Anthony Cosenza contributed to this story.)