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The Cincinnati Bengals’ injuries problems have continued.
This time, it is veteran cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, who will be sidelined for about a month with a knee injury, according to Ian Rapoport.
Injury updates: #Bengals CB Dre Kirkpatrick, who hyperextended his knee, is expected to miss about a month, sources say. He’ll see a doctor tomorrow to be sure. ... #Steelers DE Stephon Tuitt does have a torn pec, as feared, source said. He’ll have surgery and his season is over.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 14, 2019
The former first-round pick from Alabama is in his seventh NFL season and fifth-straight in a full-time starting role. The loss of Kirkpatrick will be a setback for a defense that’s already been woefully-bad this season, especially in the pass coverage department.
The good news is the Bengals should get fellow cornerback Darqueze Dennard back from PUP soon, possibly as soon as this week. And while Kirkpatrick will miss a month or so, the Bengals have just two more games until their bye in Week 9. That makes it hard to see the team placing Kirkpatrick on injured reserve unless more damage is revealed in the visit with the doctor on Tuesday.
But for now, the Bengals’ secondary is a major question mark for their Week 7 matchup with the Jaguars.