Bengals at Colts injury report: Cody Core returns; Cordy Glenn still limited

The Bengals are getting healthier ahead of their matchup with the Colts, as Thursday marked the return of Cody Core, who was limited with a back injury.

The former sixth-round pick out of Ole Miss has been out for the last month with his injury. It looked like that could cost him a roster spot, as he had a promising rookie year back in 2016, but he was a ghost for the majority of 2017.

Core then had a rather quiet training camp this year before suffering an injury in practice that cost him nearly a month of action. He only played in the first preseason game before sitting on the sidelines against the Cowboys, Bills and Colts.

Combined with a strong showing from rookie receiver Auden Tate, it seemed very likely Core was going to be waived during final roster cuts. However, the coaching staff really likes what Core brings to the table on special teams, so much that they actually kept him as one of the final players to make the 53-man roster. The team also kept Tate, leaving seven receivers on the 53-man roster for the second year in a row.

Core also played a lot of special teams during his first two years in college, even beginning his career as a safety. That helped make him an ideal special teams player for the Bengals, and he’s been a solid contributor in that regard.

That’s why it won’t be a major surprise if Core is active this Sunday or next Thursday against the Ravens, but the smart money is on Core sitting out both games.

Hopefully, that’s not the case with starting left tackle Cordy Glenn, but it’s getting dicey with gameday almost here. Glenn was limited for the second-straight day and could draw the questionable tag for Sunday due to a shoulder injury suffered in Week 3 of the preseason.

If he’s out, Jake Fisher is the next man up at left tackle, though we could also see Cedric Ogbuehi. Either is a major downgrade from Glenn, and it could be the difference in what’s shaping up to be a close game in Indy.

On the Colts’ side, the only real change was running back Marlon Mack returning for a limited session. Like Core, Mack was injured in the first week of the preseason and hadn’t practiced until now.

Bengals at Colts Thursday Injury Report