Wharton, Maualuga, Dunlap Knee Injuries

[HoosierCat]

From Lewis' postgame, per reedy:

Lewis on injuries: "We'll know more tomorrow. Haven't heard about Travelle's scans. Carlos will be OK in a little bit of time. Rey and Carlos are similar (knee sprain) but some are worse more than others."

Sounds positive. Keep your fingers crossed.

PS per Hobs, Mays possible concussion.

[volcom69]

Had real hopes though on Wharton. I like Boiling, but really liked the Wharton signing.

Hope Rey and Dunlap get back soon. Just hope Rey comes back 100% after he cam back last year he was not the same.

[volcom69]

Rey said he got good news and will only miss a few days

[HoosierCat]

Hobs:

Rey says he got good news and says he ll miss only few days

Good news.

Re Wharton: Sounds like Boling or my man Otis have to step up. I think Boling got the reps in Wharton's place tonight. Cuts into depth tho.

Edit: volcom beat me to it.

[derekshank]

I'm not sure how much stock to put in Marvin's comments. He's eternally vague, and regularly downplays the severity of injuries.

Dunlap is on crutches and is sporting a big leg brace. He also declined all interviews after the game.

He might have only sprained it... but some sprains are pretty severe. Here's to hoping it's not as bad as it looks.

[HoosierCat]

I'm not sure how much stock to put in Marvin's comments. He's eternally vague, and regularly downplays the severity of injuries.

What? You mean the team that called Buckethead's broken leg a "bone bruise" might be full of sh*t? Trust me, I'm not as stupid as I sound.

Dunlap is on crutches and is sporting a big leg brace. He also declined all interviews after the game.

He might have only sprained it... but some sprains are pretty severe. Here's to hoping it's not as bad as it looks.

Yep, we'll see. If he's going to miss time hopefully Anderson takes advantage of his opportunity.

[HoosierCat]

Hobs:

Middle linebacker Rey Maualuga and left end Carlos Dunlap suffered right knee sprains in the opening minutes of the preseason Friday night at Paul Brown Stadium and Maualuga said he'll miss only a couple of days of practice.

"I got good news from the trainer," Maualuga said after the 17-6 victory over the Jets. "Tomorrow we've got off and I could be back Sunday for practice."

Dunlap had no comment and there is no time frame, but a knee sprain usually takes a couple of weeks depending on the severity.

But the news looked devastating for left guard Travelle Wharton, the first one to go down on the Bengals' third offensive play. Wharton, who signed for $3 million per his three years back in March, grimly stood on crutches outside the MRI room at PBS at halftime and the fear is he has suffered a season-ending right knee injury.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Gee I'm shocked Dunlap is already hurt after spending the entire off-season apparently playing X-box, instead of being in the weight room.

Don't really care about Rey, would rather see what Burfict can do, but don't wish long term injury on anyone of course.

Wharton's injury sucks big time. Thank God they still have someone better than Livings to put in there though.

[volcom69]

I still think they should bring in a vet defensive end, and a vet guard. I really liked how boiling played last night he held his own and Hobson said he has been having one of the best camps.

Anderson starting worries me, I don't mind him as a backup guy but to start I'm not sure. Maybe one of the young guns shines in the next preseason game.

[HoosierCat]

Per Marvin, Wharton's injury "appears to be season ending." Boling now the starting LG.

[UK Bengal]

Oh s**t that's all we need

[derekshank]

Anderson starting worries me, I don't mind him as a backup guy but to start I'm not sure. Maybe one of the young guns shines in the next preseason game.

It doesn't worry me... it just bums be out.

The D-Line will still be adequate. Anderson can provide the same thing that Geathers provided on 1st and 2nd down. Then a pass-rushing specialist (Moch?) can come in on passing downs. More or less the same thing that happened last year.

The Bengals depth can make it work - but they won't be elite the way they could be having Dunlap as a starter. So while they can get by without him - it's a bummer. So I really hope he gets healthy soon.

[BengalszoneBilly]

The D-Line will still be adequate.

I believe the same. We had pressure on the QB all night. Could have contained the runs by Tebow better, but that's his forte.

[ArmyBengal]

I just got done watching the game and came away with a few thoughts.

#1. Injuries f*cking suck.

#2. Gruden's idea of a #2 by platoon may just work, because they looked good.

#3. I enjoyed watching Burfict play tonight. Lets hope he continues that way.

#4. A statement i'm sure to draw sh*t for, but while I hate it for Wharton and would never wish ill of him, I wasn't initially a big fan of his signing here. I hate that his loss leaves a hole in our depth, but I think Boling will be able to give us pretty close to the same thing. His signing was one of those that you may dislike at first, but grow to accept due to the situation and convince yourself to love. In reality, the only thing I think his loss does to the team is hurt our depth. Here's to hoping he gets better though.

[Sea Ray]

I'm fine if Dunlap's out a month and when he comes back he's limited to pass rushing downs. That could be the blessing in all of this as I had concerns with making him an every down player

[HoosierCat]

Various tidbits from Hobson's latest piece:

Rey could practice this week but they will probably hold him out and sit him vs. Atlanta Thursday.

An improved Boling was pushing for playing time so they don't seem to be in the market for a new starter. However they will probably sign someone for depth. Hudson hasn't come as far as they hoped, Stephens has struggled and Robinson is raw.

Dunlap a ? for the opener. Typically a knee sprain is 2-4 weeks but no one is telling how bad it is.

Confirmed Mays suffered a concussion, He's out until cleared by an independent neurologist.

[derekshank]

A statement i'm sure to draw sh*t for, but while I hate it for Wharton and would never wish ill of him, I wasn't initially a big fan of his signing here. I hate that his loss leaves a hole in our depth, but I think Boling will be able to give us pretty close to the same thing.

I actually agree with you.

Everyone was pumped as s**t when the Bengals drafted Boling last year. Most of the scouting reports loved Boling coming out of college... with the only real knock on him being that he wasn't as strong as he could be.

Most of us expected he would be a starter this year, but the additions of Wharton and Zietler changed that opinion.

He struggled as a rookie, but most of us felt like the talent was there. He reportedly came to camp a lot stronger... and since run blocking was already his strength, he should be able to step in and contribute. It's a bummer, because there's not much depth left on the O-Line - but I'm not overly concerned about Boling as the starter. I like getting the young guys in there.

[semiotter]

For the first PSG they looked good!! Glad to see some guys hurt last year back as well!!

[ArmyBengal]

A statement i'm sure to draw sh*t for, but while I hate it for Wharton and would never wish ill of him, I wasn't initially a big fan of his signing here. I hate that his loss leaves a hole in our depth, but I think Boling will be able to give us pretty close to the same thing.

I actually agree with you.

Everyone was pumped as s**t when the Bengals drafted Boling last year. Most of the scouting reports loved Boling coming out of college... with the only real knock on him being that he wasn't as strong as he could be.

Most of us expected he would be a starter this year, but the additions of Wharton and Zietler changed that opinion.

He struggled as a rookie, but most of us felt like the talent was there. He reportedly came to camp a lot stronger... and since run blocking was already his strength, he should be able to step in and contribute. It's a bummer, because there's not much depth left on the O-Line - but I'm not overly concerned about Boling as the starter. I like getting the young guys in there.

I know I was totally pumped about getting Boling last year.

I actually had the Bengals taking him in the 3rd round of my mock, but thought he would be gone seeing as how most had him as a 2nd round talent.

Seeing him drop to the 4th for us way awesome and I think he will show that this season.

Again, not happy for Wharton and wish him a quick recovery, but not overly concerned about the impact on the o-line.

Depth needs addressed however.

[redsbengalsbucks]

I just got done watching the game and came away with a few thoughts.

#2. Gruden's idea of a #2 by platoon may just work, because they looked good.

Binns and Tate both looked good, Jones was OK. Where was Sanu? Baby Hawk is a game changer in the slot. I had thought Shipley was a lock, I now think I was wrong about that.

Green, Hawk, Binns, Tate, Jones and Sanu look to be the 6 WR's. I just hope that Shipley does not go to an AFCN rival and kill us twice a year.

[volcom69]

I just got done watching the game and came away with a few thoughts.

#2. Gruden's idea of a #2 by platoon may just work, because they looked good.

Binns and Tate both looked good, Jones was OK. Where was Sanu? Baby Hawk is a game changer in the slot. I had thought Shipley was a lock, I now think I was wrong about that.

Green, Hawk, Binns, Tate, Jones and Sanu look to be the 6 WR's. I just hope that Shipley does not go to an AFCN rival and kill us twice a year.

Yea i dont see Shipley making this team either, it kind of sucks because i really did like him, but all these young WRs looked pretty good to me. It was weird seeing Shipley out there with the 3rd stringers. I just wonder if they think he wont be the same after his injury.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

I just got done watching the game and came away with a few thoughts.

#2. Gruden's idea of a #2 by platoon may just work, because they looked good.

Binns and Tate both looked good, Jones was OK. Where was Sanu? Baby Hawk is a game changer in the slot. I had thought Shipley was a lock, I now think I was wrong about that.

Green, Hawk, Binns, Tate, Jones and Sanu look to be the 6 WR's. I just hope that Shipley does not go to an AFCN rival and kill us twice a year.

Yea i dont see Shipley making this team either, it kind of sucks because i really did like him, but all these young WRs looked pretty good to me. It was weird seeing Shipley out there with the 3rd stringers. I just wonder if they think he wont be the same after his injury.

I would be highly skeptical of releasing Shipley at this point, I know they'll have to make some tough choices at WR, but do you really want to cut a guy who's proven himself at this level for a season and was a relatively high draft pick of yours?

I'd like to think they're just taking it easy on him with snaps, and trying to get a look at some other guys who are more marginal.

[HoosierCat]

A couple days ago, Joe made the case at CJ that Shipley (versus a guy like Hawkins) doesn't fit Gruden's offense, among other issues.

When Jordan Shipley arrived as a rookie in 2010, he came to the perfect offense for his skill-set. Bob Bratkowski was the offensive coordinator and used his slot receiver as his primary target. With Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco on the outside, Bratkowski used Shipley on option routes from the slot the same way he used T.J. Houshmanzadeh. With Shipley's smarts, vision and toughness, his college transition seemed to be a breeze. He caught 52-passes for 600-yards (11.5 ypc) and three touchdowns as a rookie. We only had the opportunity to see Shipley in Jay Gruden's west coast offense for about 6-quarters of football which resulted in four-receptions for 14-yards (3.5 ypc). The current offense uses much more two-TE sets instead of the three-WR packages that Bratkowski deployed. The routes are shorter and the receivers are asked to gain yards after the catch in the current system. Andrew Hawkins offers that run-after-catch ability. The Bengals like to use Hawkins on reverses, screens, pitches, shovel passes and hand offs; anything to get the ball into Hawkins' hands. It's obvious that Jay Gruden spends valuable time injecting plays for Hawkins into the offensive game plan.

The whole thing is worth a read.

/>http://www.cincyjungle.com/2012/8/9/3229039/why-andrew-hawkins-roster-spot-is-secure-and-jordan-shipleys-is-not-Bengals-Cincinnati

[HoosierCat]

Back on topic, Lapham has some more info.

Dunlap and Rey have no tears in their ligaments or cartilage. Just stretched them out. Dunlap may miss most of the remaining preseason games. It looks like Rey will play vs. the Facons Thursday night.

[Stripes]

Good news. Can't help but worry that Dunlap's will be a nagger that hinders his performance all year though.