Vontaze Burfict suffers injury, evaluated for concussion; Jeremy Hill injures ankle

The Cincinnati Bengals are hoping to make it out of the preseason without any more starters getting hurt.

Thus far, we’ve seen Shawn Williams (elbow), George Iloka (knee) and Dre Kirkpatrick (hand) miss practice and/or preseason games. Now, Vontaze Burfict is dealing with a back injury and potentially a concussion suffered in Sunday’s matchup with Washington.

It happened late in the second quarter when Burfict made a tackle on Terrelle Pryor across the middle of the field. After going down on one knee for about a minute, Burfict then went to the sidelined to be examined by trainers. Initially, the Bengals announced Burfict was probably to return with a back injury.

However, Burfict was then sent to the locker room, and the team announced he was being evaluated for a concussion, making him questionable to return. This came one drive after Burfict returned a Kirk Cousins interception for a touchdown. After he went out, Washington promptly scored its first touchdown of the day.

Not long afterward, the Bengals announced Jeremy Hill had an ankle injury and was out for the rest of the game. That came after Hill had a promising start to the game, rushing six times for 26 yards and a touchdown on the opening drive.

Losing either of Burfict or Hill would be bad, but losing both would be brutal. Hopefully, both players will be fine and ready to rock for Week 1 in the regular season. for which the Bengals face the Baltimore Ravens.

We’ll have more on these injuries as details emerge...

UPDATE: Burfict has passed the concussion protocol but will remain out for the rest of the game.