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The Cincinnati Bengals lost Jonah Williams on Sunday to an apparent neck injury, but they appear to have dodged a bullet in the process.
Per NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Williams’ injury doesn’t appear “overly serious” and while he’ll likely miss next week’s game, a return after their Week 9 bye is entirely possible.
#Bengals LT Jonah Williams, who left yesterday’s with a neck injury, is still awaiting more info. But early indications are it’s not overly serious, source said. He may miss this week, but there is some optimism that he could return after the bye. Further tests are coming.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 26, 2020
When asked about Williams, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said his left tackle’s recovery is going to be day-to-day.
Zac Taylor on Jonah Willams: He's going to be day-to-day. Looked scary when it happened, but things are looking up. #Bengals
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) October 26, 2020
Williams’ injury came early in the second quarter. During his last snap, quarterback Joe Burrow was sacked from his left side after he escaped the pocket, but Williams didn’t appear to be at fault and he didn’t look like he got injured. Nevertheless, Fred Johnson came in for Williams at the start of the offense’s next drive.
Trey Hopkins and Bobby Hart also both left the game at different times due to injuries. Taylor said that Hopkins is in the concussion protocol and Hart will be out this week with the knee injury he suffered late in Sunday’s game.
Per Zac Taylor, Jonah Williams is day-to-day. Hopkins is in concussion protocol. Bobby Hart is going to be out this week. #Bengals
— Laurel Pfahler (@LaurelPfahler) October 26, 2020
Hart’s injury looked pretty serious when it happened, but it’s too early to tell how long he’ll be out. Hopkins will probably also miss a week before he clears the concussion protocol.
If the Bengals will be without Williams and Hart, Hakeem Adeniji and Fred Johnson will start in their respective places. When both players were on the field together, Adeniji was at left tackle and Johnson was at right tackle. Billy Price will fill in for Hopkins like he did on Sunday.
The Bengals will face the Tennessee Titans next Sunday and will have two weeks to prepare for the Pittsburgh Steelers after that.