When the pads come on, injuries often pop up.
Such was the case on Day 3 of Cincinnati Bengals training camp as the team put on shoulder pads for the first time. Unfortunately, starting safety George Iloka was injured on the second snap of 11-on-11 drills on Sunday. But, after some time with the trainers, he appears to have some extent of an injury, but not a serious one.
The injury appeared to be to his right knee and he reportedly crawled off the field on his own before he was met by the team trainers.
George Iloka just went down. Holding his knee, crawled over to sideline. Trainers with him now. #Bengals
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) July 30, 2017
George Iloka just went down with a right leg injury. He's on the ground being tended to by trainers. He did make it to the sideline
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) July 30, 2017
George Iloka just fell on ground and crawled off. He's being looked at by trainers.
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) July 30, 2017
They just helped Iloka up and put him on the cart. He hasn't left yet, they're still looking at his knee/leg area. pic.twitter.com/HukQS9TQEK
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) July 30, 2017
#Bengals Iloka was on cart and now got off it and walking around. @Local12 pic.twitter.com/ejDOnIeFtB
— Richard Skinner (@Local12Skinny) July 30, 2017
Iloka was put onto a cart, but then got off of it under his own power. He was standing on the sidelines just moments after the injury initially took place.
Looks like George is Ok staying on sidelines
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) July 30, 2017
Iloka was in coverage against wide receiver Alex Erickson when the injury occurred. This, after Michael Johnson and Wallace Gilberry spent the weekend on the rehab field and sitting out with undisclosed injuries.
It appears like the injury to Iloka was just a brief scare and though he won’t get back onto the field today, he likely just got banged up and will be OK within a few days.
Iloka is done for the day, but it’s good news that he didn’t actually have to go inside for further evaluation. He was sitting with ice on his knee on the sidelines within minutes of the injury taking place.
Iloka is sitting on a cooler with a bag of ice on his right knee. Looks like his day is done.
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) July 30, 2017
Scary moment for #Bengals & Iloka, but the veteran safety didn't have to go into the stadium. Sitting on the sideline w/ ice on right knee.
— Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) July 30, 2017
Iloka appears to have escaped serious injury. Sitting on sideline with ice on right knee. #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) July 30, 2017
Looks like Iloka has knee strain of some sort . Could be out a few days
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) July 30, 2017
If Iloka ends up missing only a few days, it seems it could have been worse and we won’t remember this injury in a few weeks.
We’ll have more on this as further news becomes available.
Update: The injuries to both Iloka and Derron Smith (who was injured later on in practice) are considered minor by defensive coordinator Paul Guenther.
DC Paul Guenther said he believes injuries to safeties George Iloka and Derron Smith were "minor." "Typical twists and turns."#Bengals
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) July 30, 2017