Cincy Jungle - Bengals CB Leon Hall Suffers Achilles InjuryWho Deyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48495/cincyjungle_fave.png2014-11-16T15:39:26-05:00http://www.cincyjungle.com/rss/stream/46229632014-11-16T15:39:26-05:002014-11-16T15:39:26-05:00Leon Hall leaves vs. Saints with sore Achilles
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/v3aP3SEoTrX84gtSGENeSwzDCsU=/0x120:2570x1833/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44168206/20141116_tcb_ah6_051.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Leon Hall departed from the Bengals' Week 11 game vs. the Saints with an Achilles injury that wasn't believed to be serious. </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bengals</a> avoided a major scare Sunday vs. the <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Saints</a>. Stopping Drew Brees and the Saints offense is no easy task, but Cincinnati did a masterful job of it through three quarters. But, the Bengals were without one of their top defensive backs in the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>Cornerback <span>Leon Hall</span> exited the game early in the final quarter with what was called a "sore Achilles", and while the Bengals ruled him out, it's not believed to be anything serious.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Leon Hall has a "sore Achilles" and could return to play. But <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengals?src=hash">#Bengals</a> coaches are keeping him out. It's their decision.</p>
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) <a href="https://twitter.com/ColeyHarvey/status/534081094698938369">November 16, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<p>This was the same Achilles that Hall tore for the second time in three years in 2013. He <span>is also playing in his first game since suffering a concussion in the Week 9 win over the <a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Jaguars</a>. That concussion led to him missing the week 10 loss to the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Browns</a>. </span></p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/11/16/7230343/leon-hall-leaves-vs-saints-with-sore-achillesJason Marcum2014-07-25T10:21:07-04:002014-07-25T10:21:07-04:00Boling & Hall's Recovery for Super Bowl Push
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fIrLft-HraSBZXRQVvsZ4Z-Eezc=/0x180:2660x1953/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/36057276/20131028_ter_af2_483.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Clint Boling and Leon Hall suffered injuries late enough in 2013 that they shouldn't even be cleared to practice yet. They were both on the field Day 1 of training camp. </p> <p>The road to recovery in the NFL and can be a long and strenuous one. An injury suffered by an NFL player is far more different than what an average person suffers, as is the rehabilitation process.</p>
<p>Things like ACL and Achilles tears would knock a normal person out of serious physical strain for 10+ months. That can't be the case in the NFL, at least, if players want to be back in time for training camp the following year.</p>
<p><span>Clint Boling and Leon Hall suffered injuries late enough in 2013 that they shouldn't even be cleared to practice yet. They were both on the field Day 1 of training camp.</span></p>
<p>Hall suffered an Achilles tear in Week 7 of 2013, yet was on the field and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/7/24/5934435/leon-hall-terence-newman-first-team-defense"><b>running with the first-team defense for Day 1 of camp</b></a> 10 months later. That was somewhat of a realistic expectation, especially since he did it before in 2012.</p>
<p>The same could not be said for Boling, who suffered an ACL tear in Week 13 last year, but he too was on the field Day 1 of Bengals camp, just eight months after the injury.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>"My goal was to be out there today. It’s a long process, I’m just happy to be out here playing again," Boling said. "I’m happy to get the first one out of the way. We’ll see how it responds tomorrow.</span></p>
<p><span>"There (are) going to be a lot of first steps we have to cross. There’s the first practice in pads, the first scrimmage, the first preseason game, the first real game. This was the first one."</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Boling was the first-team guard on offense.</p>
<p>As for Hall, his recovery from his second Achilles tear serves as an inspiration to teammates, particularly AJ Green.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>"He looks like he’s ready to go," Green said after practice. "That’s the one guy I like, man. You can never tell the guy is hurting. He looked good coming in and out of breaks. Tough, but the guy Leon, he’s the guy for the job. He takes care of his body like no other.</span></p>
<p><span>"Leon got me to this level. I remember coming in as a rookie before I got drafted working out at API and Leon coming in the way he works. Then I got drafted by them and working with him my whole rookie training camp, it definitely made me a better player."</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p>What served as motivation to make such an amazing recovery?</p>
<p>A Super Bowl, of course.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>"We’re all trying to reach the same goal. None of it matters who is back before whom. We’re all trying to win a Super Bowl," Boling said.</span></p>
</blockquote>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/7/25/5936595/clint-boling-leon-hall-make-amazing-recoveriesJason Marcum2014-07-22T12:35:13-04:002014-07-22T12:35:13-04:00Lewis expects Hall on first day of camp
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mHkO1xZPW-RcuHFetu-8I_x4Gl0=/0x40:4000x2707/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/35919990/20130922_jla_aw3_048.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Earlier on Tuesday, Hobson and Dehner speculated that Hall should be cleared at some point this week. Head coach Marvin Lewis expects him to be out there on the first day.</p> <p>Bengals cornerback Leon Hall should be on the field fairly quickly, according to Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. How quickly? Lewis, who cites a stronger recovery compared to Hall's rehabilitation in 2012, believes that his star cornerback should be on the field during the first day of camp.</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Marvin anticipates Leon Hall participating on field first day of camp. Says better recovery than ‘12.</p>
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) <a href="https://twitter.com/pauldehnerjr/statuses/491619780374581248">July 22, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Lewis says Hall 's rehab better this time than last time.</p>
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) <a href="https://twitter.com/GeoffHobsonCin/statuses/491619627970351104">July 22, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<p>Earlier on Tuesday, Hobson and Dehner speculated that <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/7/22/5926133/barring-setback-leon-hall-field-week">Hall should be cleared at some point this week</a> and that Atkins, who is expected to be ready for the regular season, should be close as well.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/7/22/5926785/bengals-marvin-lewis-expects-leon-hall-on-first-day-of-campJosh Kirkendall2014-02-23T15:58:26-05:002014-02-23T15:58:26-05:00Hall and Atkins should be ready for training camp
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rg0kyhH90kcVaUyhWej8zHFzYq4=/0x475:2742x2303/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/29068407/20131022_kkt_al9_210.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Spor</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Both players suffered significant injuries in 2013. </p> <p>It's always tricky when prognosticating the return of players who suffered significant injuries during the previous season. Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins is recovering from an ACL tear and cornerback Leon Hall is rehabilitating from his second Achilles tear in three years.</p>
<p>According to Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther, both should be able to practice during training camp this year.</p>
<p>"They’re in the building every day," <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcincinnati.com%2Fblogs%2Fbengals%2F2014%2F02%2F23%2Fpaul-guenther-discusses-the-defense%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2014%2F2%2F23%2F5440070%2Fbengals-geno-atkins-and-leon-hall-should-participate-in-training-camp" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Guenther said via the Cincinnati Enquirer</a>. "Typically I’ll go down in the mornings to visit the guys just because it’s quiet down there. It’s just them. I’m sure the rehab isn’t the funnest end for those guys but from what I understand, talking to trainers, they’re coming along pretty good. They’re doing everything they’re asking them to do, so I don’t see any setbacks, at least to this point, with either guy. I expect both of them to be back (in training camp)."</p>
<p>Of course, based on the wording, this doesn't mean that they'll be ready <i>at the start</i> of training camp -- only that they should participate. However, training camp is roughly 2-3 weeks in duration. On the other hand, predicting recoveries from major injuries in February is a bit tricky -- especially when coaches are the sources for our updates.</p>
<p>Two weeks ago a report surfaced that both players <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/2/7/5389908/no-setbacks-on-geno-atkins-and-leon-hall-rehabilitation">were on schedule for training camp</a>, without any setbacks at this point so at least this is consistent with previous updates.</p>
<p>As a sidenote, Atkins and Hall have the two biggest cap numbers for the Bengals in 2014, with $9 million and $8.7 million respectively -- so losing those players were costly, on and off the field. Carlos Dunlap has the third highest number at $8.6 million and A.J. Green has the top cap number for the offense at $6.264 million.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/2/23/5440070/bengals-geno-atkins-and-leon-hall-should-participate-in-training-campJosh Kirkendall2014-02-07T11:28:21-05:002014-02-07T11:28:21-05:00No setbacks on Atkins and Hall rehabilition so far
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fbxEIPZ8k_hjtBjZbA_vJxcWufQ=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28241203/183447197.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jamie Sabau</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Two of Cincinnati's best defensive players, who missed the second half of the season in 2013, appear to be on schedule for their eventual training camp return.</p> <p>Cincinnati Bengals' defensive leaders Leon Hall and Geno Atkins face two of the more complicated offseason rehabilitation programs. And according to Bengals.com, both <a href="http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Five-questions/1e2b0473-e2b4-43fd-a88e-139c1c2459fd">players are on schedule</a> (or at the very least, haven't had any setbacks).</p>
<blockquote>
<p>So far, so good on the rehabbing front. Word is that there have been no setbacks for either player. It’s also early as fingers cross.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Hall suffered an Achilles tear against the Detroit lions on Oct. 20 and Geno Atkins went down with an ACL tear 11 days later against Miami. This is the second Achilles tear for Hall in three years; the first didn't cause Hall to miss any time in 2012, but he was a little rusty early before an epic four-game stretch to close out that season.</p>
<p>Granted, the next man up philosophy limited the impact of losing both players, but if there were a list of the most irreplaceable, that would be it. You just don't replace a Leon Hall or Geno Atkins late in the season.</p>
<p>It's still iffy if they'll be ready by the start of training camp, but don't exclude them from possibly participating either. In other words, we're projecting the Physically Unable to Perform list either.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/2/7/5389908/no-setbacks-on-geno-atkins-and-leon-hall-rehabilitationJosh Kirkendall2014-01-19T09:43:14-05:002014-01-19T09:43:14-05:00Bengals and Hall should restructure contract
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/z95hJq-YvnD4MOxtfcOETqIyF-k=/0x40:4000x2707/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27098021/20130922_jla_aw3_048.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Cincinnati Bengals have increasing cap numbers with players that have been, and will be, extended in the next year. In the mean time, Cincinnati can find some relief and Leon Hall could have more security, with a restructured deal. </p> <p>For the second time in three years, Leon Hall is spending his offseason recovering from a torn Achilles injury. According to most reports, mostly from a confident Leon Hall, Cincinnati's star cornerback should be ready for training camp.</p>
<p>However, that shouldn't be the only thing concerning Hall during the offseason.</p>
<p>Despite being signed through 2015 with base salaries of $6.8 million and $7.7 million in '14 and '15 respectively, Hall has no guaranteed money remaining on his current deal (save for the annual workout bonus of $100,000). <i>NOTE: As a vested veteran, his base salary in 2014 will be guaranteed if he's on the roster in the first week of the regular season... which he will be, so in a way, it's guaranteed if he's released after the first regular season weekend. Plus, he won't be released.</i></p>
<p>With a cap value of $8.7 million and $9.6 million over the next two seasons and coming off another torn Achilles, there are legitimate questions in regards to his durability. According to one case study, an athlete who suffered an Achilles rupture had a <a href="http://www.udel.edu/PT/PT%20Clinical%20Services/journalclub/sojc/04_05/apr05/rettig.pdf">4.5 percent chance of re-rupturing that same Achilles</a>. Multiple studies also suggests that when someone ruptures their Achilles, there's an increased likelihood of tearing the other -- which has already happened.</p>
<p>Not only does the injury carry a 6-8 month (sometimes more) rehabilitation process, it takes time for players to find their footing. During the regular season opener in '12 (several months after his first Achilles tear), Hall allowed 52-yard pass and a touchdown. During his first two games in '12, he allowed 10 of 14 passes to find their receivers. He was forced to sit in week three and four with a strained calf -- theoretically because he's protecting his Achilles by over-taxing his calf. From week 12 through week 14, Hall had three consecutive games in which he allowed an opposing passer rating of over 100 with two touchdowns allowed.</p>
<p>It wasn't until week 15 that Hall returned to a consistent shutdown corner, recording an interception in three of the final four games (including the Wild Card game) while scoring two touchdowns against the Steelers and Texans.</p>
<p>Because Hall doesn't have the fiscal security for his future and the durability questions that should concern the Bengals, perhaps it's time to examine the need to restructure his existing contract.</p>
<p>Joel Corry with the <i>National Football Post</i> does a <a href="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Salary-cap-mailbag.html">better job explaining the benefits for both sides if a deal is restructured</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Contract restructures have become standard operating procedure in the NFL, particularly for teams with tight salary cap situations. In a typical restructuring (without taking a paycut), a player will convert some portion of his base salary and/or roster bonus into a signing bonus, which is prorated or spread out evenly over the life of a contract (most other salary components usually can’t be prorated) for a maximum of five years. The team gets a lower cap number in the current season while the player gains more short-term security and potentially a better payment schedule in the current year of his contract. The player’s cap numbers in the remaining contract years also increase. If the player is considered as one of the team’s integral components, the higher cap numbers in those remaining contract years could make him a candidate for a new contract sooner rather later with increased leverage.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Hall will, and should be, here in 2014 and the foreseeable future -- especially once there's confidence that the Achilles injuries are behind him. However, with the team's cap number increasing with extensions given to Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap, with more likely coming, it wouldn't be a stretch for Cincinnati to restructure Hall's deal.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/1/19/5304262/restructuring-leon-halls-dealJosh Kirkendall2013-12-14T09:48:22-05:002013-12-14T09:48:22-05:00Hall cautious about return for '14 training camp
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2DFqTXZAXesGcd3Oh6h3Pfu-gCo=/0x536:2741x2363/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25116459/20131022_kkt_al9_210.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Spor</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Cincinnati Bengals best cornerback Leon Hall is sticking around with the team, rehabilitating and hanging with the players, but he's applying the same timeline he had in '11. </p> <p>Leon Hall is familiar with it. After tearing his left Achilles in '11, his goal in rehabilitation targeted training camp in '12. He succeeded. Despite struggling early in the season -- allowed a touchdown in week one, and a handful of struggles in the middle of the season, Hall returned to form after recording three interceptions in the final four games, including a pick-six during a win against the Pittsburgh Steelers that would eventually earn Cincinnati a postseason berth. He recorded another pick-six against the Houston Texans in the wild card round.</p>
<p>After suffering an Achilles tear in his right leg against the Detroit Lions earlier this season, nearly a month earlier than his injury in '11, he's keeping the same timeline.</p>
<p>"You don’t want to just compare them because it’s the same injury, but it may respond differently, you never know," <a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20131212/SPT02/312120129/Bengals-Leon-Hall-retracing-healing-steps">Hall said via the Cincinnati Enquirer</a>. "It’s responded so far exactly how I've wanted it to and how the trainers have wanted it to, but it’s so early and you just never know."</p>
<p>When players suffer significant injuries, sometimes they rehabilitate with team trainers and then go home. Not Hall, who sticks around with the team, "whether in the training room or peaking his head into meetings."</p>
<p>"When you’re winning it’s not as hard because you’re happy and the guys you’re around every day, that you are used to being around every day, are playing well, so that’s good," he said via the Enquirer. "Especially the first couple of games were kind of rough. But kind of settles in. You kind of get used to it."</p>
<p>There could be an interesting development with Hall's contract this offseason. Despite being signed through 2015 with base salaries of $6.8 million and $7.7 million in '14 and '15 respectively, he has no guaranteed money remaining on his current deal (save for the annual workout bonus of $100,000).</p>
<p>There's a chance that the team may look at restructuring Hall's deal, especially since he has a cap value of $8.7 million and $9.6 million over the next two seasons and he's coming off another torn Achilles. It might benefit both sides to work out another extension, maybe even giving Cincinnati the resources to work on a Michael Johnson deal.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/12/14/5209944/bengals-cb-leon-hall-cautious-but-expects-to-be-ready-for-trainingJosh Kirkendall2013-10-26T11:00:11-04:002013-10-26T11:00:11-04:00Hall remains on the 53-man roster
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/FKxIOXzRuG77p4Ka7ivzGh7TBhQ=/0x144:4000x2811/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/21803643/158683919.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Gregory Shamus</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Cincinnati Bengals lost Leon Hall for the season last Sunday against the Lions, yet he's still on the 53-man roster. Our only conclusion that makes sense is that they're waiting on Andrew Hawkins.</p> <p>Bengals cornerback Leon Hall suffered an Achilles tear against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, ending his season.</p>
<p>One would think that the team would place Hall on Injured Reserve the following day, but they haven't. As of this moment, Hall, who is expected to have surgery on Monday, remains on the active 53-man roster.</p>
<p>Why?</p>
<p>The most logical conclusion: Since the team didn't find anyone worth signing onto the 53-man roster this week, the Bengals are holding onto Hall's eventual departure from the 53-man roster for wide receiver Andrew Hawkins.</p>
<p>Hawkins, currently on the Injured Reserve with a designation to return, is eligible to return to the 53-man roster on Monday. Many believe that on that date, Hall will placed on IR and Hawkins will replace him when he's finally eligible.</p>
<p>Yet, there are arguments against this transaction.</p>
<p>For one, when Hawkins returns, the Bengals will have seven wide receivers on the 53-man roster, joining A.J. Green, Mohamed Sanu, Marvin Jones, Brandon Tate, Dane Sanzenbacher, and Ryan Whalen.</p>
<p>It's not unheard of for the team to carry seven receivers; the Bengals opened last season with seven and that scenario seems like the most logical at this moment. It also places Whalen on alert, who has been dropped to the bottom of the wide receiver roster after Sanzenbacher has seen an increase in offensive participation, as well as his ability returning punts staying in the team's hip pocket. In other words, when the Bengals need a spot on the 53-man roster, Whalen is probably the first-man up.</p>
<p>Another point questions if Hawkins is even ready. The team's stop-watch to activate him to the 53-man roster started Wednesday when he returned to practice. Now Cincinnati has three weeks from that point to make a decision on Hawkins, who claims to only be about <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/injury/2013/10/21/4862894/andrew-hawkins-feels-hes-90-plus-percent-recovered">90 percent recovered from his training camp high ankle sprain</a>. However, practice went well this week.</p>
<p>"Every time you have an injury you don’t know what type of injury it is going to be," <a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20131024/SPT02/310240168/Bengals-Hawkins-happy-back-practice">Hawkins said via the Cincinnati Enquirer</a>. "It could be an injury where you are out a couple days, could be an injury when you are done forever. In the first couple of minutes you just don’t know. I thank God I am able to go back out there."</p>
<p>One might ask, why can't the Bengals just place Hall on IR this week, leaving 52 players on the active roster? One theory is that if the team has a vacancy on the active roster, they would have to make a decision on quarterback Greg McElroy.</p>
<p>According to NFL rules regarding practice squad eligibility, players with practice squad and regular season experience, can remain eligible for the practice squad provided that there's no openings on the team's 53-man roster. Therefore if the Bengals placed Hall on IR, it leaves 52 players and could make McElroy ineligible on the team's practice squad. Again, that's a theory.</p>
<p>Since the Bengals didn't sign someone off the street this week to replace Hall, using his eventual placement on IR to create room for Andrew Hawkins makes the most sense. And considering that his eligibility is three days away, its the most logical conclusion.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/10/26/5031114/logical-conclusion-bengals-waiting-on-andrew-hawkins-to-place-leonJosh Kirkendall