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Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis is back with the team after taking a few hours to deal with a “minor health issue” on Tuesday.
"I was able to return to work last night after receiving great medical care,” Lewis said via a statement on Wednesday. “I especially want to thank all of the doctors, nurses and technicians who treated me. I am glad to be back with the team as we prepare to play the Buccaneers on Friday.”
Lewis was not in attendance at Tuesday’s training camp practice and reports indicated there was something wrong with his leg. Some reports said he was favoring one of his legs on Monday, spent time on a golf cart during practice and was spotted at the team facilities on Tuesday before not being out on the field for practice on Tuesday afternoon.
The Bengals on Tuesday released the following statement regarding Lewis’ absence.
#Bengals statement on Head Coach Marvin Lewis' absence. pic.twitter.com/94V8xDsyIZ
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 8, 2017
It reads, “Coach Marvin Lewis will be taking time away from the team to focus on a minor health issue. He will be back as soon as possible, which could be today or later this week. Special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons will lead the team during Coach Lewis’ absence.”
The Bengals face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday for the first preseason game of the year and Coach Lewis will be coaching the team in the game.
While he was briefly away from the team, the Bengals chose special teams coach Darrin Simmons to lead the team at practice.
Fill-in Darrin Simmons talking about the absence of Marvin Lewis today after practice @WLWT #Bengals pic.twitter.com/agSsLe6jYw
— Mark Slaughter (@MarkVSlaughter) August 8, 2017
According to NFL Network’s Stacey Dales, Lewis is dealing with a Baker’s Cyst.
Positive update on Marvin Lewis. More testing revealed Baker's Cyst according to team source. Clearly better prognosis than assumed clot. https://t.co/PfgqNoREAY
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) August 8, 2017
Per the Mayo Clinic, here’s what a Baker’s cyst entails:
A Baker's cyst is a fluid-filled cyst that causes a bulge and a feeling of tightness behind your knee. The pain can get worse when you fully flex or extend your knee or when you're active....
Although a Baker's cyst may cause swelling and make you uncomfortable, treating the probable underlying problem usually provides relief.
It seems Lewis is on the mend and doing well and it’s good to see he was able to return to the team so quickly.