:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67188706/1199064377.jpg.0.jpg)
News broke Tuesday morning that Trae Waynes would be sidelined about two months due to a pectoral injury. However, head coach Zac Taylor isn’t ready to say how long Waynes will be sidelined.
During a meeting with the media, Taylor said that it’s too early to tell how significant Waynes’ injury is. Taylor also said the injury happened this week.
Head Coach Zac Taylor said Trae Waynes pectoral injury happened this week. Said it's too early to tell the significance of the injury. "It's unfortunate."
— Marisa Contipelli (@BengalsMarisa) August 11, 2020
Zac Taylor on Trae Waynes' pectoral injury: "Yea, it just happened this week. It is unfortunate. Those guys have been working hard since they’ve been in the building. It’s just an unfortunate situation. These things happen during training camp." #Bengals
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) August 11, 2020
Waynes was a rare big free agent signing for the Bengals this offseason, as they got him on three-year deal worth $42 million. He’s expected to be one of Cincinnati’s starting boundary cornerbacks when healthy.
However, if Waynes is out two months, that means he’ll likely miss games vs. the Chargers, Browns, Eagles and Jaguars. Two months from now would put a return around Week 5 when the Bengals face the Ravens in Baltimore.
Hopefully, the injury turns out to be not as serious as initially reported and Waynes is able to return sooner than two months. But if not, the Bengals will rely on Darius Phillips, Mackensie Alexander and LeShaun Sims to pick up the slack. Backup safety Brandon Wilson could also play some snaps at cornerback.