Bengals training camp injuries and impact going forward

The Cincinnati Bengals have successfully concluded the training camp portion of their offseason, and though they've come out of it relatively unscathed, some important players did get injured. Let's take a look at the ongoing injuries, most notably those suffered by players during camp, and how they will affect the club as they march toward the regular season.

Michael Johnson: Right as camp began, the team's prized free agent from 2015 suffered a knee injury. While it wasn't the dreaded ligament tear, Johnson did suffer a strain/sprain in the area. The team has been oddly mum on any official injury announcement, but the prevailing belief is that Johnson will be ready for the opener. The impact of his injury hurts the depth of the defensive line for the time being, but it does pave way for more needed reps for guys like Will Clarke, Margus Hunt and others.

Darqueze Dennard: The second-year corner tweaked his groin in practice last week before the preseason opener, and then re-aggravated it against the Giants. He has been sitting out and/or hitting the rehab field in practices since, but it's unlikely he plays this Monday night against the Bucs. The team is playing it safe, but the true indicator of the severity of the injury will be when it comes time to suit up for the third preseason game. The third game, known as "the dress rehearsal", is when the coaches would undoubtedly like to see him suited up for.

Pat Sims: The Bengals' other big defensive line free agent acquisition this year suffered a thigh injury on Wednesday and it kept him out of Thursday's practice. Even though he had a solid reunion debut with the club in the preseason opener, it still goes without saying that he's in a roster fight. Being the case, Sims will need to miss minimal time and continue to show his value.

Brandon Ghee: Unfortunately for the veteran cornerback, he's once again the victim of an injury. A hamstring has been ailing him recently and he spent most of this week either sitting or on the rehab field. Ghee has an uphill climb with the top four corner spots being locked up (Dre Kirkpatrick, Leon Hall, Dennard, Adam Jones) and the versatile Josh Shaw impressing during camp.

Tyler Eifert: Most of Bengaldom held their breath when news started to trickle out that Eifert went down at practice. It seems as if Eifert simply had the wind knocked out of him after he tumbled to the ground while attempting a catch. There doesn't seem to be any long term indications here, luckily.

Jake Fisher: The top two Bengals' picks of the 2015 draft are having a tough time seeing the field. First rounder Cedric Ogbuehi had a preexisting knee issue, which will likely land him on the PUP list to start the season, while Fisher seems to have injured his shoulder. It kept him out of the first preseason game and caused him to miss practices this week, likely keeping him out against Tampa Bay as well. Though he isn't being relied upon for a starting role in 2015, the hope was to use him in jumbo packages. He'll need to heal up to have an impact of any kind as a rookie.

Terrell Watson: After a nice debut in mop-up duty versus the Giants, Watson suffered a foot/ankle injury in the last training camp practice. According to Paul Dehner, Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer, Watson "attempted to return after wrapping and unwrapping [his ankle] to find comfort, but never did". It's not a good sign for the young man trying to vie for a roster spot while competing with Cedric Peerman and James Wilder, Jr. And even though there hasn't been any timetable set, it sounds like he might be able to return before the preseason ends.

Onterio McCalebb: The speedy McCalebb has had a knee issue of late and it has been hurting him in a crowded receiver position. Throw in the fact that McCalebb hasn't seemed comfortable at any of the NFL positions the Bengals have tried him out at, he will have a tough time making the final roster.