UPDATE
Ross didn’t actually practice at cornerback when he got hurt. The coaching staff discussed with Ross about him playing the position and he injured his foot just two plays afterwards. NFL insider Mike Garafolo retracted his original report stating that Ross had already made the switch.
I have to correct my John Ross report from earlier. He did not get hurt playing CB. He was running a route as a WR. The #Bengals coaches talked to him during practice about playing corner and two plays later, he got hurt. So he never even got the chance to work at CB.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 14, 2020
The Cincinnati Bengals entered desperation mode at practice this week to help out the cornerback position.
Two of their three cornerbacks on the practice squad were placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Darius Phillips was also sidelined for the entire week with a groin injury and LeShaun Sims suffered a concussion on Thursday.
When Sims went down on Thursday, John Ross III is who they turned to.
Per NFL insider Mike Garafolo, the wide receiver agreed to practice at cornerback and on his second rep at the position, Ross injured his foot.
From @gmfb Weekend: #Bengals WR John Ross needs to see a witch doctor or something this offseason. Poor guy was trying to do the team a solid this week and wound up getting hurt because of it. I explain pic.twitter.com/aW8vAKSC42
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 14, 2020
Ross did not practice on Friday and was later declared out for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers along with Phillips and Sims.
As of this posting, the Bengals have just three cornerbacks on their active roster able to play on Sunday. They can still elevate CB Jalen Davis from the practice squad before then if neither Winston Rose nor Brian Allen are able to be taken off of the Reserve/COVID-19 list.
Ross had practiced at cornerback before when he was a rookie during the 2017 season. This was when he was in Marvin Lewis’ proverbial doghouse and right before Ross landed on I.R. that year.
This is just the latest tragedy to strike Ross this year and in his entire four-year career. The 24-year old requested a trade earlier this season and has been inactive for all but three games.