Zac Taylor talks A.J. Green recovery timeline and trade speculation

The Bengals are 0-7, so the coaching staff is scrambling to find a solution.

Of course, things should get better once A.J. Green returns from his injury, at least in theory. He has been one of the best players in the league over the course of his career when healthy, so this offense could sure use the boost.

Green seems to be getting closer and closer every week, but when it’s all said and done he’s still wearing street clothes.

“I just want to see him practice,” said Taylor during his Monday press conference. “I know I’ve spent a lot of time talking (about him) up here, and last week we gave him some time off. This week, he’ll get a chance to come back and take it day-to-day.”

Taylor went on to say that the only thing holding Green back right now is practice.

“I wouldn’t put him out in a game if he hasn’t gone through a full practice yet. Of course today is Monday, so we’ll see where he’s at on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I’m not saying it’s out of the question that he would play on Sunday. I don’t know what the likelihood of that is until I see him practice.”

Taylor is hoping that Green will get a chance to practice this week so that he’ll have a chance to play against the Rams in London.

“If he’s not able to play on Sunday, the bye comes at the right time where you get a chance to get another week to fully recover and see if he’s ready for Baltimore. We’ll just take it day-to-day right now.”

When asked if he knows when Green will start practice, Taylor said that he can’t say quite yet.

“I made that mistake last week.”

With the trade deadline looming, some are wondering if Green is an asset the Bengals will try to move. Former Bengal Mohammed Sanu was dealt for a second round pick, and Broncos receiver was traded for a bundle of Day 3 picks on Tuesday. Surely Green could fetch something even better by October 29th.

”We listen to anything,” Taylor said. “It’s not smart to pick up the phones and (not) listen to what’s said. Again, our approach is we have these guys in the locker room, and we have to focus on winning a game with these guys.”

He’s said in the past that Green isn’t going anywhere, but it would be smart to listen to offers if some other team is willing to pay the right price.

Taylor also went on to say that he talks with the front office every day about trades.

“We meet every single morning, and we talk through anything that’s on the table. There are a lot of things on the table. Every day — it’s not a state of the union — it’s an ongoing conversation, every single day, and we’re in a good place there.”

The Bengals desperately need a spark on offense, and Green is their best chance. He won’t solve all their problems, but once he returns (or gets traded), then the Bengals will be able to focus on the players they have.

It feels like there’s a cloud hanging around the team right now. The Bengals will have to wait until after the bye week for that cloud to disappear.