Bengals expected to miss Preseason Week 3 at Jaguars

The Bengals starters will get the most action they’ve seen in the preseason tonight as they take on the Jaguars in Jacksonville. While Andy Dalton, A.J. Green, Geno Atkins and the rest of the starters play will about two quarters, many Bengals will remain off-the-field with varying injuries. Brandon LaFell will actually be returning from a hand ligament injury that he’s attempting to play through. If that goes well, he will avoid getting surgery to repair the issue. If things don’t go according to plan and he needs surgery, he will be out for about six weeks. Rex Burkhead left last week’s game with a minor injury and he’s expected to play tonight after practicing all week. Many injured Bengals aren’t as lucky to have speedy returns.

Here’s a look at who we believe won’t be playing on Sunday night.

Vontaze Burfict

Burfict sat out the first two games of the preseason and now hasn’t practiced in over a week. It seems he got injured in practice, which is exactly why Marvin Lewis opted to avoid playing him in the preseason — to avoid an unnecessary injury. It appears that didn’t work but Burfict has been on the rehab field and has additional time to rehab before his season gets started as he’s suspended for Weeks 1-3.

Tyler Eifert

Eifert remains on the PUP list and is reportedly targeting a return in Weeks 4-6.

Brandon Thompson

Thompson also is on the PUP list and will likely start the regular-season there as well.

Tyler Kroft

Kroft is recovering from a knee injury and is expected back for Week 1. It’s possible he returns to practice soon after spending last week on the rehab field.

Darqueze Dennard

Dennard is recovering from an ankle injury and is also targeting a Week 1 return. He also spent last last week on the rehab field as he inches closer to rejoining his teammates for practice.

Cedric Ogbuehi

Ogbuehi is dealing with a toe injury suffered during the first preseason game. He’s hoping to be back by Week 1 of the regular season. He spent time in practice this week on a stationary bike and on the rehab field.

Jake Fisher

Fisher is recovering from an injury that occurred in last week’s preseason game against the Lions. He was seen in knee and ankle braces this week after the injury was originally deemed an ankle sprain. He wasn’t on the rehab field during open to the media portions of practice this week, but did spend time on the bike.

Mario Alford

Alford suffered a sprained ankle against the Vikings in the first week of the preseason and hasn’t practiced since. He was in a walking boot following the injury and spent time on the rehab field this week. Without a practice in since his injury, we should not expect to see Alford playing against the Jaguars.

Alex Redmond

The undrafted rookie offensive lineman suffered an undisclosed injury and hasn’t practiced or been on the field since the Lions game. Like Alford, without participating in any practices this week, it’s unlikely he’ll be getting much-needed playing time against the Jaguars.

William Jackson III

Jackson suffered an early training camp injury, a torn pectoral, and will likely be placed on Injured Reserve next week when the Bengals need to make their first round of roster cuts. It’s possible he could return after Week 8 of the regular-season.

Andrew Billings

Billings is also expected to land on IR next week, and likely spend the duration of the season there. A meniscus tear suffered during a joint practice with the Vikings ended the rookie’s season before it had the chance to begin.