CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora tweets that Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson suffered a grade 2 MCL sprain and will be out for at least four weeks.
Bengals expect to be without Michael Johnson for 4 weeks with a grade 2 MCL sprain
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) August 3, 2015
This confirms an ESPN and NFL Network report that Johnson would be out for several weeks with an MCL sprain. Initially feared as an ACL tear, Johnson's recovery time could favor a return during the team's season-opener against Oakland on Sept. 13.
According to SportsInjuryClinic.com, a grade 2 MCL sprain will include significant tenderness and possible swelling. WebMD.com says "injuries usually get better in about a month" and may require a "hinged knee brace" to limit how much weight is put on the leg. Torn ligaments are symptomatic of a grade 3 sprain, which are less painful than a grade 2.