Bengals OL Billy Price sheds walking boot but still no timetable for return

UPDATE

Per Bengals.com’s Geoff Hobson, it looks like Billy Price may return against the New Orleans Saints in Week 10.

The Bengals are still waiting to get their first-round pick back from injury, a common theme in recent years.

Thankfully, the foot injury that Billy Price suffered in Week 2 isn’t expected to cost him most of his rookie season like we saw with William Jackson, Cedric Ogbuehi and John Ross in recent years.

Price, who is battling a foot injury, had good news on his progress during an open locker room session with the media on Wednesday.

Seeing Price out of the walking boot is a great sign for his recovery. Perhaps he’ll even start working on the rehab field this week, though it sounds like there’s no chance he plays Sunday against the Chiefs.

In Price’s absence, Trey Hopkins has been a serviceable center, so much that you have to wonder if Price or Hopkins may move to the starting right guard spot when the former returns. Alex Redmond continues to be a disaster there, and Price did play guard at a high level at Ohio State before moving to center.

Whatever happens, the Bengals need Price back soon, but it sounds like they’ll play it safe and ensure he’s as close to 100 percent as possible whenever he plays again.

For now, my guess is the Bengals keep Price on ice for the next two games against the Chiefs and Buccaneers, then get him back after their Week 9 bye. They’ll definitely need him after the break for a three-game stretch against the Saints, Ravens and Browns, all of whom have great defensive lines.