Cincinnati Bengals: Another Injury on Offensive Line Delivers Another Blow to Playoff Hopes Heading Into 2012

By Tyler Robinson
CFB/NFL Writer

There is never a good time for injuries to strike an NFL team, but with a nationally televised contest against the Baltimore Ravens looming on the horizon, it’s an especially inopportune time for the Cincinnati Bengals to lose another offensive lineman.

With guard Travelle Wharton already on injured reserved due to a knee injury from the team’s first preseason game, it looks as though the Bengals will also be without center Kyle Cook when the likes of Haloti Hgata and Ray Lewis come knocking on Sept. 10.

Cook suffered an injury to his right ankle and foot during Cincinnati’s most recent preseason game against the Green Bay Packers. Although it wasn’t deemed to be too serious at first, further tests unveiled a more significant issue—one that could keep Cook on the shelf for most or all of the 2012 season.

While left tackle Andrew Whitworth is generally regarded as the team’s best offensive lineman, an argument can be made that Cook is more valuable to the Bengals. The depth behind Cook is scarce, with undrafted rookie Trevor Robinson slated to be the backup center.

To be fair, Robinson has had a solid camp, but the Bengals can’t be too confident heading into the AFC North gauntlet with two rookie starters on the interior line—first-round pick Kevin Zeitler is set to start at right guard. Several news outlets reported that Cincinnati held a tryout with free agent center Jeff Faine on Tuesday.

Cincinnati’s offensive line was already having a rough preseason prior to Cook’s injury, ranking 27th in the league in rushing through three exhibition games. BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Bernard Scott have combined to miss five games so far this preseason and the Bengals will have to hope that their two lead running backs can mesh quickly with what will be a revamped offensive line upon their return.

If not, added pressure will fall onto the shoulders of quarterback Andy Dalton, who is still searching for someone to emerge as a reliable target beyond wide receiver A.J. Green and tight end Jermaine Gresham.

After a somewhat surprising playoff berth in 2011, the Bengals have made it clear that they intend to return to the postseason this year, but any more injuries to key offensive players could severely hamper those hopes.
Follow Tyler on Twitter: @TRob27

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