The Bengals suffered a few injuries during their dress rehearsal game against the Bills. The biggest name on the list is the newly acquired left tackle Cordy Glenn. The former Bills tackle left in the first half of the game with a shoulder injury. He was declared out after that, but the broadcast showed Glenn standing on the sideline smiling and talking with teammates while in his pads. It could be nothing, or it could be something. For now, Marvin Lewis says he’s “fine.”
Glenn wasn’t the only offensive lineman knocked out in Buffalo. Offensive guard Christian Westerman suffered a back injury the had him go back to the locker room. He has been buried on the depth chart as the backup left guard. Alex Redmond, meanwhile, started at right guard but got called for two penalties. After his injury, Westerman was replaced by starter Clint Boling and then Bengals third string center Brad Lundblade.
Running back Jarveon Williams was also declared out during the second half. He suffered a knee injury. Williams is hardly competing for a roster spot after the Bengals invested a mid round draft pick in Mark Walton.
Meanwhile Tra Carson has looked like the guy the Bengals will keep if they carry four true running backs. Williams’ best bet is securing a spot on the practice squad, but this injury could cloud things or open up the opportunity for Cincinnati to put him in Injured/Reserve.
Safety Brandon Wilson also left the game in favor of the locker room. His injury wasn’t disclosed as it was right at the end of the game. If he ends up missing time the Bengals’ depth at the safety position could be tested after releasing George Iloka. His absence would certainly give the Trayvon Henderson hype train some fuel. The safety out of Hawaii has reportedly impressed coaches so far this summer and got a sack on Sunday night in the second half.
Tight end Mason Schreck was also part of a scary play late in the game. He was sliding down when a Bills defender launched at his head. Buffalo was flagged for the play, and Schreck took some time to get to his feet, but he ultimately walked off the field surrounded by medical staff. He did not return, but this injury was also in the closing minutes of the contest. Schreck finished 3/4 for 58 yards and though he fumbled the ball at the two-yard line, it went out of bounds and ended up being a moot point. The Bengals went on to score on a field goal moments later.
The biggest name to not be active for the game was Vontaze Burfict who has remained out since suffering an ankle injury early in the week leading up to the second preseason game against the Cowboys. Burfict won’t be available the first four weeks of the regular season due to a suspension, but it isn’t ideal for him to not get any snaps in the preseason. Jordan Evans looks to be the guys to keep Burfict’s spot warm while he is out. Vincent Rey was also out, but he should be returning soon barring a setback to his ankle injury. Rey was injured in the Bengals’ first preseason game against the Bears.
Rookie cornerback Davontae Harris also remained out with a knee injury. At this point, the Bengals may be likely to place him on the Injured/Reserve list if he doesn’t get healthy in the next few days. His absence has created some nice opportunities for Darius Phillips, KeiVarae Russell and Tony McRae. McRae played well on Sunday in his first opportunity this preseason after getting injured early in camp. He’s a guy to watch in the final week of the preseason.
Wide receiver Cody Core also missed yet another game, which hurts his chances at the sixth receiver spot on the 53-man roster. He was aided by Auden Tate failing to impress though. Tate had one pass go off of his hands, which ended up being intercepted. Then he failed to catch a contested pass at the goal line. That battle could come down to the final preseason game, which is Thursday night at Paul Brown Stadium as the Bengals take on their Week 1 opponent, the Indianapolis Colts.